The new program RAMP: Rapid Acceleration Management Program combines a formal course that introduces Swedish economy, business history, and societal orientation with internships at Swedish companies. Hopefully, the program will serve as a gateway to the business world for newly arrived individuals with degrees and professional experience from their home countries. The students primarily come from Syria but also from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Iran. Over the course of a year, they will alternate between lecture periods, group work, individual assignments, and internships – while getting to know Sweden and Swedish working conditions.

The course coordinator, Kristina Nilsson, has put together content ranging from leadership in companies to Swedish culture and democracy. From the Centre for Business History, we contribute to the course program with a module on Swedish business history. Among the companies that have arranged internships are SE-banken, Ericsson, Omega Pharma, Länsförsäkringar, and the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. The School of Business initiative is exemplary – hopefully, it will be followed by others!