Since fall 2009, a total of 142 SIM students representing over 30 nationalities have carried out 27 remarkable projects all over the world.
Click on the pins to find out more about the projects.

The SIMagination Challenge is an essential curricular pillar of the Master of Arts in Strategy and International Management (SIM-HSG), the globally top-ranked flagship program of the University of St. Gallen. Students are required to plan, execute and reflect upon a challenging project which aims at leaving a positive and sustainable social impact in our society. The course format allows for meaningful experiences and insights regarding the realization of international projects; it supports participants to sharpen their strategic thinking and team competencies as well as learn about how to apply global leadership ethics and improve effectiveness.

The idea for the SIMagination Challenge goes back to the inception of the SIM program in 2003, when Dr. Omid Aschari set out to build the framework for a SIM community that allows students to learn and interact in a socially energized and inspiring environment. We believe that this initiative is not only significantly advancing top management education, but convincingly addresses the key development needs of effective and responsible leaders in the 21st century.

Our students work in diverse teams of 4-12 members to multiply their individual creative capacities. They are free to choose whether they would like to start a new project or to expand and substantiate already founded projects from a preceding SIM generation. Often, students work with experienced partner organizations and have become treasured contributors thanks to their exceptional effort and innovative thinking to solving social issues.

SIMagination projects need to have their geographical focus areas outside of the country of citizenship of the team members. Students are therefore encouraged to enter a new cultural context and find constructive ways to profit from cultural diversity.

SIM students have proven to be able to sustain remarkable effort over the life-cycle of their projects and to reach lasting positive impacts as a result of their work (click to see our current and past projects).