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Lauder Business School is very happy to continue with the Graduate Research Assistant Program (GRAP) for the academic year 2018/19. Based on the shortlist of Prof. (FH) Dr. Armin Kammel, LL.M., MBA, Ms. Ermina Prnjavorac (BFC16) has been selected as the next GRA. During her master studies at LBS, Ms. Prnjavorac developed a special interest in Financial Law and Banking Regulation and saw GRAP as an opportunity to further develop it.

Talking about her expectations for the program:

“I am very enthusiastic about this program and I expect to get hands-on experience that will complement the theoretical knowledge I already possess as well as to improve my academic research and writing skills. Having this valuable opportunity to work under the supervision of Prof. (FH) Dr. Kammel, an expert and a published author in this field, will most definitely positively influence my personal and professional development.” We also used this occasion to ask Prof. (FH) Dr. Armin Kammel, LL.M., MBA to reflect on the previous year and his work with former GRA Ms. Chukhareva:

1) How fruitful was your work with the first GRA, Ms. Chukhareva?

The work with Ms. Chukhareva was very useful and it proved that there is a clear interest from LBS students to further explore scholarly activities. Ms. Chukhareva has served as a great pioneer as GRA due to her work ethics and commitment and she clearly set a high benchmark for future GRA generations.

2) Can you briefly outline the tasks of a GRA?

My approach to the GRA program is that when a student opts to take on this additional commitment, there has to be a mutual benefit for all sides. Having said this, it is important to stress that in the GRA program students are not simply administrative support, but research co-workers.

Consequently, I offered Ms. Chukhareva the option to join an international research/publication project related to Ukrainian banking law which nicely matched her experience, language skills and level of expertise. Ms. Chukhareva has done an excellent job in reviewing versions of the manuscript as well as drafting a chapter. The project has not yet been finalized but the clear outcome will be that Ms. Chukhareva will end up with an international publication which will also improve her visibility in the academic world.

The appointment of Ms. Prnjavorac is in my view also a great choice and there had already been discussions with Ms. Prnjavorac to get her involved in similar research/publication projects which will generate additional benefit for her.

3) What are the main challenges as a mentor when guiding GRAs?

The challenges had simply been to really find a project that is suitable to the respective GRA in terms of knowledge, expertise and workload which then also delivers an added value for the student. Obviously, student’s interests and skills differ, but the GRA program offers enough flexibility to accommodate that.

Regarding the future development of the program, Director of the MA Studies Prof. (FH) Hanno Poeschl, MSc, MBA said that he would also welcome a GRAP call for the International Management and Leadership students to strengthen the research background in this program also.

Lauder Business School wishes Ms. Prnjavorac an exciting time as the new GRA and encourages LBS students to apply for the GRA program next year!

 

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