
Transatlantic student exchange fosters global learning
UC Next Innovation Scholars, Kao and UA-Ruhr reimagine study abroad
The Kao Corporation’s innovative partnership with the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub has expanded globally, thanks to a unique student exchange program involving top academic institutions in the U.S. and Germany.
The transcontinental student exchange program with UA-Ruhr, a German university alliance, comprises three distinguished German universities — Bochum, TU Dortmund and Duisburg-Essen — UA Ruhr is Germany’s largest academic hub, fostering collaborations between academia and the worldwide private sector.
RJ Sargent leads ideation session for partners inside the 1819 Learning Lab. Photo/Partner Success
As a corporate partner of the 1819 Innovation Hub, Kao receives concierge services that allow access to top-tier STEM talent. Benefits range from a team of experts that support corporate partners in achieving their business objectives to strengthening their brand presence. RJ Sargent, assistant vice president of Partner Success in 1819, oversees these specialized services and works closely with Kao.
“The 1819 Partner Success team is driven to understand and anticipate our partners' needs while making it as easy as possible to access resources to help their innovation programs. With Kao, this has taken many forms, from recruiting multidisciplinary students to participate in Kao-sponsored design sprints to connecting with leading faculty researchers to help Kao stay on the cutting edge of innovation,” says Sargent.
“Kao consistently pushes the boundaries to try new and different approaches, so when Lindsay had the idea to take the design sprint model international, we were excited to rise to the challenge.”
Taking bold steps to enhance its European-based brands to regularly provide UC students with transformative and collaborative learning experiences, Kao recently took a novel approach and arranged a curated exchange experience. Supported by UC and the 1819 Innovation Hub, the exchange occurred between a UC Next Innovation Scholars (NIS) student and a TU Dortmund student from Germany.
Kao/UA-Ruhr exchange students in Germany. Photo/Sophia Ferrigolo
Fabian Klaps, a graduate student from TU Dortmund, studied business, economics and entrepreneurship and spent time working with Kao this fall in Cincinnati and New York City.
“Kao’s partnership with universities, like the University of Cincinnati and UA-Ruhr, provides a unique platform for fresh talent to bring new perspectives to our business,” says Lindsay Striker, new technology innovator & university partnerships lead at Kao USA Inc. “Fabian's 7-week internship with Molton Brown was a fantastic example of this and during his time with us, he not only launched and strategized the Molton Brown Germany Instagram page but also contributed valuable insights through sales and competitor analysis. Collaborations like these allow us to foster innovation while offering students meaningful, hands-on industry experience.”
Simultaneously, UC student Sofia Ferrigolo immersed herself in a fellowship at UA-Ruhr in Essen, Germany. She is a third-year student majoring in business economics and operations management, pursuing minors in business analytics, environmental analysis & policy, and innovation & design thinking. Ferrigolo is also part of the prestigious NIS program, a transdisciplinary cohort-based learning experience designed to cultivate collaborative learning, foster creative thinking and enhance problem-solving skills.
Ferrigolo’s UA-Ruhr fellowship comprised a 2-week cultural immersion program at the three cities of UA-Ruhr alliance universities, where she attended lectures, workshops, and cultural programming, which included museums, historic buildings and tours.
Sophia Ferrigolo stands in front of Masterflex Group where she interned in Germany. Photo/Sophia Ferrigolo
Following the immersion experience was a 6-week internship with Masterflex Group in Ruhr, where Ferrigolo supported a global team with multichannel marketing initiatives.
“The structured, methodical approach to problem-solving I encountered in Germany has refined my analytical mindset,” Ferrigolo said.
“The experience complements the NEXT Innovation Scholars program’s emphasis on cross-disciplinary, human-centered design thinking, enabling me to combine rigorous, systematic thinking with creativity and empathy. With this expanded problem-solving toolkit, I now feel more equipped to tackle complex challenges, ensuring that my solutions are not only strategically sound but also deeply relevant and impactful for those they serve.”
Director of Next Innovation Scholars Aaron Bradley has previously collaborated with Kao, joining program scholars on a visit to Molton Brown, the premier luxury lifestyle brand within Kao Corporation’s portfolio, in New York City. He highlighted how the NIS program’s integration within the 1819 Innovation Hub ecosystem offers a distinctive platform for forward-looking partnerships between academia and corporate entities.
“The NEXT Innovation Scholars program is all about developing leaders who will create the future - from the future of Cincinnati to the future of our world,” states Bradley. “That future needs innovative leaders who understand the complexities and opportunities that come from living in a connected, global society. We’re so excited that programs like the Ruhr exchange are creating opportunities for our students and students abroad to develop that awareness early in their professional journey.”
Both students have gained invaluable acumen through this exchange, while Kao and UC continue to strengthen their global footprint through partnerships and student-driven innovation.
Sophia Ferrigolo enjoyed touring the sites in Europe. Photo/Sophia Ferrigolo
These cross-cultural experiences highlight UC's 1819 Innovation Hub, Kao and the NIS program's pivotal role in fostering global innovation and creating exceptional opportunities for students, building bridges between industry and academia across continents.
For students contemplating exchange programs abroad, Ferrigolo highly recommends it.
“My advice is to actively seek experiences that push you out of your comfort zone, as this is where true growth happens. These experiences help you connect the dots between various disciplines and approach topics you might not have otherwise considered, opening doors to innovative solutions and broader understanding. The more you immerse yourself and engage with different cultures and ideas, the more rewarding and enriching the experience will be.”
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