The SEPT Competence Center offers courses on export management and on the development of international business models conducted by our experienced coaches.
International Business & Export Management Advanced Training (EMAT)
About EMAT
In times of an internationalizing world economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups have more opportunities to conquer new markets. Moreover, the level of innovation, compliance with product parameters, and the high-quality products of German enterprises are often unrivaled. To leverage this advantage over often significantly larger competitors, SMEs and startups require top personnel among export and sales managers specialized in international business.
In response to this demand, the International Business and Export Management Advanced Training (EMAT) aims to expand and refine existing export management knowledge by developing skills in areas such as market and customer analysis, export planning and management, international negotiation skills, intercultural competencies, export financing, customs issues, among others.
The EMAT training is open to international students and alumni living in Saxony, as well as to professionals from SMEs and startups.
Learning by Doing
To ensure the practical dimension of the project, we bring together German innovative SMEs and start-ups with international students and alumni. The SME or start-up provides a business case in the fields of international trade and export management, which the group of participants uses as their case study during the training. The participants gradually develop market research for the target country and provide market entry recommendations.
During the project, visits to the partner company's locations are possible.
Professionals participating in the training can work on their own business cases.
A Way to the Job Market
Working with SMEs and startups is not only about ensuring the practical dimension of learning but also about getting to know potential future employers.
International students and alumni participating in the EMAT project can register for an A2 German language course to improve their German and increase their chances in the job market. The course will take place in Leipzig. More details about this offer you can find in the language course flyer.
Duration
The project begins with a kick-off session on September 26, 2025. During this session, companies involved in the practical projects will present their profiles, international activities, and the scope of their practical work for EMAT project participants.
Training sessions will take place every Friday (3:00 PM - 6:15 PM) and Saturday (9:00 AM - 12:15 PM, or 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM), starting on October 10, 2025.
A free German A2 language course will be organized in Leipzig by the Studienkolleg Sachsen at Leipzig University and will run from October 2025 to February 2026. Please note that the number of places is limited!
Upon successful completion and presentation of their practical projects, EMAT participants will receive a certificate from Leipzig University and the SEPT Competence Center, jointly signed by the partner company.
For more detailed information about the training structure and the time plan, please check our:
What our Alumni say?
Information
Students get:
- Practical experience with local SMEs and startups
- A Bootcamp on Export Management with experts from the field
- Support from experienced trainers and coaches
- Contacts with potential future employers
- Free A2 German language course
- A certificate issued by Leipzig University
Companies get:
- A Bootcamp on Export Management
- Tailored market research and entry recommendations for the selected target country
- Knowledge about the target market
- Contacts with potential business partners abroad
- Contact with skilled international staff
Part I: International Business Model Development
- International business model canvas
- Strategic market and competitors analysis
- Customer analysis and planning, value proposition
- Market entry and international distribution strategy
Part II: Market Entry Plan
- Role of culture in international business
- International negotiation & influencing
- Payment and delivery conditions – Incoterms 2020
- Duty and foreign trade - customs law and export control
- Financing foreign trade - overview
- Formation of international contracts with examples
- Guarantees in foreign trade - introduction to Letter of Credit
Part III: Project Coaching
- Export plan for product/service
- Market entry plan development for SME/startup
Mr. Wojciech Muras
- Phone: +49 341 97-33760
- Email: wojciech.muras@uni-leipzig.de
Kick-off and Company Presentations: September 26, 3:00 PM
Training Sessions: October 10 – November 15, 2025 (5 weeks)
Practical Projects: October 10 – December 19, 2025 (timeframe for group projects with companies)
Place: SEPT Competence Center, Ritterstr. 9-13, 04109 Leipzig, Room 2.10
Language: English
Participation fees:
- Free of charge for international students and alumni residing in Leipzig
- Custom offers for students from abroad
- Custom offers for companies/professionals based on full training or selected sessions
German language course: October 2025 – February 2026, free for EMAT participants. More details coming soon.
Registration deadline: September 19, 2025, 11:59 PM