Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) – students take part in social projects alongside their studies

SIFE's slogan – “Head for Business. A heart for the world” – perfectly describes the connection between social commitment and entrepreneurial activity that is common to all SIFE projects. Comprising more than 57,000 international students and represented in 38 countries around the world, SIFE is the biggest student network in the world. 



SIFE teams work on socially relevant topics that they define, implement and evaluate themselves. Projects include organizing German machinery to be sent to small companies abroad, helping unemployed people find their way back to employment, and offering young people much-needed prospects for the future. Getting involved in SIFE enables students to put what they've learned into practice and to apply the know-how they've gained at university to their own practical projects.
Just like its international counterparts, SIFE Deutschland, established in Cologne in 2003, seeks to bring together the top leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world. SIFE projects are based on the “Olympic spirit”, because the teams have the opportunity to test themselves and their projects against others. All SIFE teams at participating German universities compete against one another at the annual national competition, with the winner going on to represent Germany against the other SIFE countries at the SIFE World Cup.

How is Bayer involved in SIFE?
Bayer has sponsored SIFE since 2005. In addition to organizing the annual “Students meet enterprises” career fair, holding Bayer training workshops and reporting on suitable events, Bayer also acts as a sponsor and juror as part of its CSR commitment. For example, employees at Bayer’s in-house consulting unit offer SIFE students help with issues relating to project work, delegating, cost planning and time management. Jörg Krell, head of the Corporate Office at Bayer AG, is President of SIFE Deutschland. SIFE gives business sponsors the opportunity to make contact with talented young people from around the world.

How do students benefit from SIFE?
By working in SIFE projects, students learn very early on what it means to link entrepreneurial activities with social responsibility. It is about combining sustainable business practices with corporate responsibility. Young people have the opportunity to gather practical experience during their studies and to put what they have learned into practice in economic, social, ecological, charitable and cultural projects.
They can also build up professional and personal networks around the world.
Are you interested in SIFE? For more information, click here or send an e-mail to universitymarketing@bayer.com