Your Return to Bremen: Alumni Future Skills Academy
From 21–28 June 2026, Constructor University successfully hosted the first edition of the Alumni Future Skills Academy in Bremen. Supported by a two-year grant from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), the fully funded week-long residency brought together alumni from across the Constructor University community for professional development, interdisciplinary learning, networking, and meaningful reconnection with the university.
Throughout the week, participants took part in faculty-led training sessions, workshops, company visits, networking events, and cultural activities designed to strengthen leadership skills, foster innovation, and encourage lifelong alumni engagement. The program was developed in collaboration with Constructor University faculty, alumni, and industry partners through the support of the DAAD grant.
- 21 June – Arrival & Welcome
Participants arrived in Bremen, joined the campus welcome session, and officially kicked off the Academy with a welcome dinner.
- 22 June – Digital Leadership & Strategy
The Academy began with Digital Leadership in a Platform Economy, led by Prof. Dr. Cagri Bulut, Interim Dean of the School of Business, Social and Decision Sciences, focusing on digital transformation and leadership in technology-driven environments. The day concluded with a company visit to Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG, where participants explored innovation and mobility solutions, followed by informal networking.
- 23 June – Data, Cybersecurity & Risk
Participants attended Data-Driven Decision Making for Leaders, led by Prof. Adi Wilhelm, exploring how data supports strategic leadership and decision-making. The afternoon featured the C>O Ecosystem Session led by Elena Novoselova, VP for Outreach and Grants Management at Constructor Group, together with Prof. Alexandra Boltasseva from Purdue University. The day concluded with a guided campus tour and networking opportunities.
- 24 June – Change, Culture & People
The morning session, Leading Change That Sticks: Motivation, Conversation, and the Human Side of Change, was led by Prof. Christian Stamov Roßnagel, and explored organizational change, leadership communication, and motivation. Participants later joined the Cybersecurity for Executives workshop delivered by Markus Bauer, Senior Technological Evangelist at Acronis, before connecting with local organizations during the Bremen Partners Networking Evening.
- 25 June – Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The day focused on entrepreneurship and innovation through Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Corporate Innovation, led by alumnus Alexander Stimpfle (BA 2010). Participants also visited Constructor Knowledge Labs, hosted by Maria Snigireva, Executive Director, and explored entrepreneurial success during a visit to alumni startup syniotec, hosted by alumnus Rezi Chikviladze (BSc 2019). The day concluded with a group dinner at Bremen Ratskeller.
- 26 June – Communication & Alumni Impact
Participants strengthened their professional communication skills during Communication Skills for Leaders, led by Daisy Michelle Heinsen, before joining the Alumni Engagement Workshop, facilitated by Nicklas Vorrink (BSc 2022), focusing on community building and alumni relations. The Academy concluded with a Graduation Ceremony, hosted by the Constructor University Alumni Office and the Beyond the Pond Alumni Association, followed by a guided tour of Bremen Rathaus.
- 27 June – Science & Society
Participants reflected on the university's history during the Constructor University History Session, led by Rüdiger Ritter, before exploring Bremen through a guided city tour and attending the Long Night of Science Bremen, highlighting the city's vibrant scientific and research community.
- 28 June – Departure
The Alumni Future Skills Academy concluded after a week of professional learning, collaboration, meaningful conversations, and renewed connections within the global Constructor University alumni community.
The inaugural Alumni Future Skills Academy marked an important milestone in bringing alumni together through professional development, collaboration, and lifelong learning. We sincerely thank all faculty members, speakers, alumni contributors, partners, and participants whose support and enthusiasm made the first edition a great success. We look forward to welcoming our alumni back to Bremen for future editions..
A big thank you to everyone who helped bring this first edition to life, our faculty members, speakers, alumni contributors, partners, and colleagues who shared their time, knowledge, and energy throughout the week. Most importantly, thank you to our alumni for making the journey back to Bremen and being such an important part of this experience. Your stories, conversations, and connections are what made this week truly special.
The first edition of the Alumni Future Skills Academy marked the beginning of a new opportunity to bring our alumni community together through professional development, exchange, and lifelong learning. We are already looking forward to the next edition and hope to welcome back familiar faces while meeting many new members of our alumni community.
Stay tuned for future opportunities to join us in Bremen.
Contact: alumni@constructor.university
