For one vibrant week at the start of July, the WFI Summer School transformed Ingolstadt, Eichstätt and Munich into a living laboratory for responsible innovation. Seventy students, drawn from fourteen nationalities and six partner universities, came together to explore how technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship can advance both business and society. Lecturers from Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Poland and Romania guided the group through a tightly woven curriculum, yet it was the mix of cultures, late‑night debates and shared discoveries that truly powered the experience.
WFI Summer School 2025: A Week of Responsible Innovation
![[Translate to English:] Gruppenbild Summerschool-2025](/fileadmin/_processed_/7/1/csm_Summerschool-2025-Gruppenbild_CK_e48a565de1.webp)
![[Translate to English:] Summer School Vorlesung](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/e/csm_IMG_1089_1bb772e3fd.webp)
Each morning began with one of seven intensive modules, ranging from Harnessing the Power of AI to Sustainable Entrepreneurship, while afternoons saw teams tackle case studies, design challenges and lively discussions. The program’s heartbeat was the mandatory core class Responsible Innovation in Firms & Society, which linked purpose and profit through everything else on offer. By week’s end, participants could earn up to ten ECTS credits, but many said the more lasting reward was the perspective gained from working across disciplines and borders.
Learning was never confined to the classroom. A Sunday city walk in Munich broke the ice; mid‑week, chartered buses carried everyone to baroque Eichstätt for a team challenge that ended with prizes and laughter in the former prince-bishop's summer residence. Friday shifted the focus to Munich’s business district, where students pitched solutions at KPMG’s headquarters and saw first‑hand how responsible innovation is applied in practice. Evenings offered Bavarian‑style networking—whether over pretzels in Schutterhof’s beer‑garden or on the dance floor at the ESN‑hosted finale party—cementing friendships that promise to outlive the Summer School itself.
![[Translate to English:] Sommerschule Vorlesung (Melden)](/fileadmin/_processed_/f/4/csm_IMG_1083_bdffb39a5e.webp)
Indian participant Palgun T.M. captured the human side of the week: “I arrived as a stranger and left as part of a global family.” Completing the picture from an academic angle, AI lecturer Professor Andrei Luchici noted: “Watching students build their first AI agents in two days was exhilarating and proved how quickly responsible tech can create value.”
Backed by the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program, the Summer School blended online preparation, an immersive in‑person week, and post‑program reflection—showcasing WFI’s commitment to hands‑on, globally connected learning.
Plans for the 2026 edition are already under way. If you are a Master‑level or advanced Bachelor student eager to put innovation to work for people and planet, keep an eye on ku.de/wfi/infos-fuer-studierende/summer‑school and @wfi_ingolstadt, applications open in early spring.