From 15 to 19 April 2024, the Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa (ISEL) challenged 27 students and 13 teachers from 7 different countries to reflect on issues related to environmental sustainability, with the aim of motivating local action that can have a global impact.
The Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) called Sustainability: Act locally, Impact Globally (2022-1-PT01-KA131-HED-000063531-1) engaged different European higher education institutions: Polytechnic University of Lisbon (Portugal), Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Atlantic Technological University (Republic of Ireland), University of Applied Sciences and Arts HOGENT (Belgium), University of Applied Sciences in Tarnow (Poland), South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and VSB - Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic).
The participants were challenged to develop solutions to different problems identified in terms of environmental sustainability over four days and to present them on the last day. With this aim in mind, the BIP programme included conferences with guest speakers such as Professor Paula Sobral from the NOVA University of Lisbon, a specialist in the problem of micro-plastics with special emphasis on the seas, as well as researcher Cristina Ruiz from the University of Leicester, a specialist in atmospheric pollution and Earth observation, as well as moments of group work and cultural visits.
António Serrador and Nuno Datia, ISEL professors responsible for this BIP, say that these programmes have obvious advantages in that they allow for rapid international integration, enabling not only the acquisition of technical knowledge, but also the establishment of a network of partners willing to cooperate and develop future projects, creating not only institutional relationships, but also personal connections at home and abroad.
At the end of the programme, the partners decided on new projects to be developed over the next two years. This BIP is part of the U!REKA - European University programme and was attended by 4 of the 6 project partners - IPL (Portugal), Frankfurt UAS (Germany), the University of Applied Sciences and Arts HOGENT and VSB - Technical University of Ostrava.
Testimonies from students who took part in BIP:
“The Polish team would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation for organizing the BIP event this year. (...) The event was very well-organized and provided a platform to meet open and interesting people with whom we developed close friendships that will hopefully last for a long time.”
"On the behalf of the Irish team, we would like to express our appreciation for participating in the BIP. We found the program to be well-organized and enjoyable, and we gained valuable insights into sustainability that can enhance our learning. We found it engaging to interact with others, collaborate as a team, and promote cultural understanding to strengthen connections within the team. We also formed meaningful friendships during the week, both with new and old friends, and we look forward to reconnecting in the future.”
“We are students from Germany, and this was our first international exchange program (BIP). We are thrilled that our inaugural BIP experience took place in Portugal at ISEL, as it was truly unforgettable. This BIP has ignited our enthusiasm for future exchange opportunities. We are deeply grateful for this wonderful experience and the warm hospitality extended to us. The program was incredibly interesting and moving, and the organization was top-notch.”
"(...) I would 100% recommend this BIP week to future students who want to participate in this fantastic and unforgettable week. I grew so much both professionally and personally. You learn about the culture, language, music, traditional food, architectural styles, transport, nightlife...and so on. All these things you can't learn from your books and have to go and experience in real life. We got the chance to do this! We learned and talked about sustainability, its challenges, its solutions, the future.... This was a wake-up call for several of us because we need to change NOW. (…) This whole project of course happened with really cool students from all over Europe. Special friendships were formed that will hopefully last for a long time. Thank you for everything! I will never forget this! Justine Hoornaert (HOGENT)”
"For the Portuguese students, taking part in the BIP in Lisbon was a truly inspiring experience. For a week, we had the privilege of meeting students from different countries, all united by the same purpose: the sustainability of our planet. It was incredible to see how people from different cultures and backgrounds can work together to tackle global challenges. The lectures and practical activities were educational and motivating, leaving us with a new sense of environmental responsibility. But more than that, it was the spirit of community and collaboration that made this week truly unforgettable. We left the BIP event not just with knowledge, but with new friends and a renewed determination to make a difference in the world. Thank you all for this life-changing experience.”
