National Champions: Gisma Students Win Sopra Steria Innovation Finals
At Gisma University of Applied Sciences, we are committed to fostering meaningful industry connections that empower our students with real-world insights and career opportunities. In line with this mission, Gisma students recently took part in an exclusive meet-up with Sopra Steria, a leading European technology and consulting firm known for its technologically advanced digital transformation solutions.
The Challenge: A Real-World Innovation Sprint
As part of the event, Sopra Steria introduced a real-world consulting challenge designed to test students’ problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork. Participants were tasked with developing a strategic roadmap to help a traditional retail business undergo digital transformation using innovative technologies. Working in cross-functional teams, students had only a few hours to research, ideate, and present their solutions to a panel of Sopra Steria professionals.
Mario and his team, students of International Business and Data Sciences, immediately stood out for their collaborative approach. They divided the challenge into critical pillars: customer experience, backend automation, and sustainability. Their solution proposed an AI-driven recommendation engine, cloud-based inventory systems, and blockchain for supply chain transparency. They presented with clarity, addressing feasibility, scalability, and return on investment—hallmarks of a polished consulting pitch.
The Sopra Steria panel praised the team for their balanced strategy and use of emerging technologies tailored to real client needs. Their presentation was described as “client-ready” and a “benchmark for innovation.”
Q&A Session: Dialogue with the Experts
Following the challenge, a highly anticipated Q&A session gave students a platform to engage directly with Sopra Steria consultants, project managers, and tech leaders. Mario initiated the discussion by asking about the future role of AI in shaping consulting careers. The dialogue sparked a cascade of questions:
“What makes a candidate stand out at Sopra Steria?”
“How do consultants balance innovation with client constraints?”
“Which programming languages or tools are becoming industry standards?”
“What’s the most challenging digital transformation project you’ve led?”
Each response was honest, practical, and rich in insight. The professionals emphasised soft skills, resilience, and adaptability—alongside technical proficiency—as key to thriving in consulting.
A National Win for Gisma
To top it off, the challenge was part of a larger Sopra Steria Innovation Sprint Series, and the best-performing team from each university advanced to national finals. We are proud to announce that Mario and his team represented Gisma and won the national finals in Germany. Their innovative thinking and execution outperformed teams from across the country, securing Gisma’s place on the national stage for academic-industry excellence.
Thank You to Our Career Team
This transformative experience would not have been possible without the outstanding efforts of the Gisma Career Team. Their coordination, preparation, and commitment to student development were instrumental in making this event a success. We extend our deepest appreciation to the team for consistently going above and beyond to connect students with real-world opportunities.
Looking Ahead
As Gisma continues to build strong industry partnerships, we remain committed to providing students with high-impact learning experiences that prepare them for the dynamic global marketplace. Events like the Sopra Steria meet-up are not just career steppingstones—they’re testaments to what happens when talent meets opportunity.
