From 22 to 27 June 2025, MaastrichtMBA brought its Executive MBA students to Porto, Portugal, for an inspiring International Week. Organised in collaboration with Porto Business School, the week centred on the elective theme of Sustainable Innovation. Through a dynamic mix of academic sessions, company visits and cultural exchange, participants gained fresh international perspectives on how sustainability and innovation come together in today’s global business environment.
The International Week was designed not only to share knowledge but also to confront the pressing issues shaping today’s global agenda. From green finance to smart city development, students explored how theory translates into practice and debated the difficult trade-offs between short-term economic gains and long-term environmental impact.
“The session on financing sustainability really stood out to me,” said Mike Mennik, a Dutch Procurement Program Manager at KLM. “It highlighted the tension between short-term profits and long-term impact. True sustainability is about more than just returns, it’s about creating value for future generations.”
Students also discussed the industry’s struggle with accountability in climate transitions. “There is still a lack of ownership and a narrow view of economic returns,” Alberto Ogura noted, Industry Decarbonation Lead at Climate KIC. “Many organisations don’t fully grasp the long-term risks of inaction on climate.”
Site visits added practical relevance to the week. One group favourite was Smartex.AI, a start-up using artificial intelligence to detect textile defects and cut production waste. “I was really impressed by their trajectory,” said Alberto. “They’ve faced challenges, made mistakes, adapted quickly, and kept learning. It was a great example of resilience and innovation.”
Aylin Acar Ademoğlu, a Turkish mining consultant, echoed that sentiment. “We saw how sustainability is being embedded into operations, from smart mobility at CEiiA to PBS’s rooftop vegetable garden. These weren’t abstract ideas; they were real, working solutions.”
She also appreciated the perspective offered by social entrepreneurship cases, such as Fairbnb. “They gave a good sense of systemic impact, showing how community and business can work hand-in-hand.”
Beyond the academic programme, Porto’s rich culture added unique flavour to the week. Taking place during the São João Festival, the city was alive with music, food, and celebration, an atmosphere that complemented the classroom learning with unforgettable experiences. “It was one of the best city festivals I’ve ever been to,” said Alberto. “The São João party was a real highlight of the trip.”
Aylin found the cultural integration especially meaningful. “Starting the week with a food workshop helped build immediate connections in the group,” she said. “Portuguese culture felt authentic and deeply rooted in tradition, yet open and forward-thinking. The hospitality was warm, the pace of life intentional, and the experience very human.
Mike agreed: “Although most of our time was spent indoors, the city’s hospitality, the food, and the ease of moving around by metro made the whole week smooth and enjoyable.”
For many participants, the key learnings extended far beyond technical knowledge. The week challenged them to reflect on their own roles in shaping sustainable futures. “My biggest takeaway,” said Alberto, “is that we need to keep challenging the status quo. We must raise awareness, promote decarbonisation, and push for real impact. One Greta Thunberg is not enough, we need many.”
Aylin added: “Innovation doesn’t start with answers, it starts with asking the right questions. Sustainable innovation is just as much about mindset and collaboration as it is about technology.”
Mike emphasised the value of diverse perspectives. “What one sector sees as a priority might be completely overlooked by another. That’s why cross-industry understanding is so critical.”
The overall feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Participants described the week as well-balanced, informative, and inspiring, with several naming it the highlight of their MBA journey so far. With its mix of academic sessions, cultural experiences, and real-world exposure, the International Week in Porto proved to be both inspiring and impactful.
By bringing together global perspectives in a dynamic local setting, MaastrichtMBA’s international week once again demonstrated its value, not just in learning about sustainability, but in experiencing what it looks like in practice.
This article presents a recap of the elective week on Perspectives on Sustainable Innovation at Porto Business School, Portugal. This elective module of our Sustainable Innovation elective is part of the executive modular part-time MaastrichtMBA programme. The programme has a Triple Crown accreditation and is aimed for professionals with at least 5 years of working experience.
