The Faculty of Organization and Informatics organized and coordinated this Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for teaching and non-teaching staff under the name BIP4BIPs. This was the first time that such a staff BIP was held, and it took place in the city of Dubrovnik at the premises of the student center Akademis Academia and the University of Dubrovnik (Department of Economics and Business Economics), which also assisted in organizing the program.
The BIP participants (so-called learners) came from 11 different universities: Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Art from Belgium, ESIEA – Graduate Engineering School from France, UCL University College from Denmark, Koç University from Turkey, CAMPUS 02 University of Applied Sciences from Austria, University of Žilina from Slovakia, University of Maribor from Slovenia, University of Belgrade from Serbia, University of Alcalá from Spain, and two Croatian universities – the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Zagreb Faculty of Organization and Informatics.
The programme consisted of an online component and an on-site component, which took place in Dubrovnik from September 22 to 28, 2024. The BIP coordinator was Assoc. Prof. Martina Tomičić Furjan, Vice Dean for Science, Projects, and International Cooperation at FOI. The teaching team that designed and delivered the programme included Full Prof. Katarina Tomičić-Pupek, Assoc. Prof. Igor Pihir, Assoc. Prof. Iva Gregurec, and Izabela Oletić Tušek from FOI, along with Ben De Vleeschauwer from the partner institution KDG in Belgium.
The aim of the programme was to exchange experiences and best practices acquired through many BIPs previously implemented by FOI (as a coordinator and partner), so participants could gain information and insight into what is necessary for the successful organization and implementation of a BIP. The experienced FOI team created an interesting and useful programme, which included various learning and teaching methods. Participants were divided into teams and had to develop an idea for a new BIP and create a “BIP Canvas” that included all the activities required to create a BIP, from the idea to its implementation. The programme also included a visit to the Mljet National Park, where the park staff presented the challenges they face, both within the National Park and regarding life on the island. Participants then had to connect their findings with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) concepts and relate them to the BIP idea they were developing.
Feedback from participants has been very positive, and it is expected that new partnerships, ideas, and initiatives will emerge between colleagues and institutions that participated in the BIP, which is one of the main objectives of such a programme.
We sincerely thank all participants for their time, effort, cooperation, and great company, and especially our hosts from the University of Dubrovnik who helped us organize the event and greatly contributed to the success of this BIP.
We highlight some of the participants' comments:
This is what the potential BIP organisers need to know to be successful in their BIP. It could be certificated officially for the BIP organisers education.
I liked everything at this BIP! More seriously, I loved the teaching methods (parallel session, joint brainstorm, innovative approaches), the dynamic between all, no difference between teachers and learners. We learned extremely valuable and enriching skills in a relaxed, joyful ambient, and that has no price. I feel extremely lucky to have been able to be a part of it.
Being on the BIP4BIPs brought me a wealth of information, insights, ideas and above all a network of colleagues that I could start working with on creating wonderful learning experiences for my students myself. I could have never acquired this knowledge without this program. I can recommend it to anyone who would want to work in an international learning experience. Great Job!
The ideas shared, the energy manifested, the concepts generated - this was such a wonderful week with incredible people I wish to stay in contact and grow with.
You want to be a better person? Join the BIP4BIPs.
