Leading International Project Team (5cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- take into account the specifics and challenges of an international team when leading the team
- take into account and utilize the diversity of team members and their differences in behavior
- foster good team spirit to enable effective working
- lead a virtual team

Teaching methods

This study unit is a joint implementation with TO00BW23-3006. It gives an authentic experience of teamworking in an international project as it is co-organized with UNAE, a private university in Paraguay, South America.

The study starts with an intensive week during which a group of Paraguayan students visit Laurea. Onwards, there will online lectures and discussion sessions for sharing learnings and experiences.

Participation in the starting session is mandatory according to the degree regulations. There is also an obligation to attend the sessions of the intensive week 10-12 March 2026 and online discussing sessions.

The learning environment in Canvas supports the learning. The course has working life partners.

The use of artificial intelligence in the execution of tasks, exams and outcomes is not allowed directly as copy-pasting answers and outputs. AI can be used to help brainstorm, streamline text, and finalize output. The uses of AI must be mentioned in the output. Fraudulent use of artificial intelligence will lead to failing the study unit.

The evaluation will be based on team assignments. The language of instruction and performance is most of the time English (with Finnish translations). There are no requirements for the level of English: basic skills are sufficient.

After passing the course, the student is able to
- take into account the specifics and challenges of an international team when leading the team
- take into account and utilize the diversity of team members and their differences in behavior
- foster good team spirit to enable effective working
- lead a virtual team

Time and location

Tikkurila Campus intensive week 10-12 March 2026 & online until 6 May2026.
Detailed schedule is visible in Tuudo.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Learning material will be announced at the starting session.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

All students are entitled to demonstrate their competence. The recognition and accreditation of prior competence is initiated by the students themselves. The competence is recognised and accredited by the teacher responsible for the studies or another person designated to the position. The assessment is carried out according to the same assessment criteria and, as a rule, same grading scale as that adopted for the corresponding study unit or module. The student is entitled to apply for accreditation of prior competence regardless of where, how and when the competence has been acquired. The student may also seek accreditation of competence to be acquired on the job as part of their degree (work-based learning). ... The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence and for providing sufficient information.

Please consult the responsible teacher first!

Co-operation with working life and/or RDI

There will be cooperation with working life organizations.

Important dates

The schedule is visible in Tuudo.
There is an obligation to attend the first contact session and the sessions of the intensive week and joint online sessions.

According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. If they fail to notify the teacher of their absence in the first contact session, their enrollment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.”

Forms of internationality

The study unit is co-organized with UNAE, a private university in Paraguay, South America, with partial funding from Erasmus+ program. The study unit is suitable and recommended for exchange and English degree students in addition to all other Laurea students.

Student workload

The study unit is worth 5 ECTS; 1 ECTS equals to apprx. 27 hours of a student´s work.

Content and scheduling

This study unit gives an authentic experience of teamworking in an international project as it is co-organized with UNAE, a private university in Paraguay, South America. The aim is to increase students` intercultural competence within projects, containing such topics as cultural diversity, business ethics, virtual teams and intercultural leadership. The tasks will be conducted in small groups. The study starts with an intensive week during which a group of Paraguayan students visit Laurea. Onwards, there will be in-class lectures and joint online learning sessions for sharing learnings and experiences.
Participation in the starting session is mandatory according to the degree regulations. There is also an obligation to attend the sessions of the intensive week 10.-12.3.2026 and joint online sessions. The learning environment will be Teams.
The evaluation will be based on team assignments. The language of instruction and performance is most of the time English. There are no requirements for the level of English: basic skills are sufficient.

Further information

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

According to the degree regulations (section 18) ";students must be present for the first contact teaching session, or they must notify the responsible teacher of their absence to confirm they intend to participate in studies, Alternatively, the teacher can specify a different manner for the student to confirm that they intend to participate in the studies. The completion of these measures can be required within a week of the studies having begun. The application of the aforementioned approach requires that the teacher notifies the students accepted to the study unit of the practice and that the practice is specifically mentioned in the study unit’s implementation plan.

If the student has a justified reason for not attending the first contact teaching session or for not notifying the teacher of their intention to be involved in studies in the manner required by the teacher, the student must contact the responsible teacher to agree on participation in the studies. Their registration for the study unit will be rejected, of the student does not notify the teacher of being absent from the first contact teaching session or the reason for their absence cannot be considered justified, Another student who is in line for the study unit can be selected in their place."

Evaluation scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

“The evaluation of competence is based on the descriptions of objectives in the curricula, and the level of competence is assessed according to the evaluation criteria listed in the implementation plan for the studies.” (Laurea degree regulations). The course-specific criteria will be addressed at the starting session.

In this study unit the assessing of the competences will be done by using the criteria set for requirement level II.

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- analyse the acquired information, draw conclusions and combine theoretical knowledge with experiential knowledge

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- critically evaluate information and justify their actions with science-based knowledge

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- use professional concepts in a consistent manner and demonstrate their familiarity with the knowledge basis
- report and communicate in a professional manner

Professional practice and workplace development

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- evaluate the applicability of produced knowledge, skill or idea to other contexts as well as their impact
- anticipate needs of customers and/or co-operation partners

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- propose creative solutions at work
- promote professional co-operation and enhance customer and partner relationships

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- act independently taking into account the operating environment
- take responsibility for interaction with customers and/or co-operation partners and for responding to their needs

Teamwork, skills, leadership, and responsibility

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- evaluate and develop the team’s entrepreneurial and responsible approach to work
- evaluate the possibilities for utilising competence and plan their personal development and development of the team

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- act in a manner that promotes the team’s entrepreneurial and responsible approach to work
- describe the development of their competence in relation to the learning outcomes

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- describe the significance of their actions for successful co-operation
- describe their competence in relation to the learning outcomes

[Leave the parts that apply] “Students who has failed to demonstrate their competence in accordance with the approved level must supplement or retake their study attainment in a manner and schedule defined by the teacher of the study unit. Laurea provides examination retake dates. Students must register for these examinations no later than 10 days before the retake date. A failed exam or other study attainment can be retaken twice. A failure to attend an actual examination is considered to be one completion attempt." (Laurea degree regulations.)

All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarise yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. All study assignments are to be done as individual work unless otherwise instructed. If Ouriginal is used when assignments are checked, the lecturer will inform the students of this.