Introduced by the European Commission in 2021, Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) employ innovative teaching methods that facilitate collaboration among transnational and transdisciplinary teams, integrating both physical and virtual learning environments aiming to reach diverse participants from different study cycles, as well as teaching and administrative staff of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). (European Commission 2024.) 

Organizing a successful BIP demands careful planning, innovative thinking and commitment to fostering an engaging and inclusive learning environment and experience. Ulysseus has successfully organized dozens of BIPs across different countries targeting various learners, and Haaga-Helia has been active both in organizing the BIPs and in participating in them. Using the recent Haaga-Helia-hosted BIP on Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences organized in June 2024 targeted to non-academic staff as an example, here are some key strategies to ensure your BIP’s success. 

Funding, timing and objectives 

Begin by securing funding from your institution’s Erasmus office and confirming participation from your international partners. Ensure that all participating HEIs have sufficient Erasmus+ funding for their mobile participants. Maintain clear communication with the Erasmus offices to keep participants informed about funding options and application processes. 

Plan the timing of the BIP’s virtual and physical components to align with the academic calendars of the participating HEIs. Create a draft call that includes essential information about the programme’s content, learning objectives, outcomes and timing. It is good to send the first draft as early as 5-6 months prior to the start of the programme. Visualize the information with images from the hosting country to make it more appealing.  

Early planning with participating HEIs is crucial to establishing specific goals and learning outcomes for your BIP. Ensure that these objectives align with the overall educational mission within your community and cater to participants’ needs. In student BIPs, pay attention to the learning agreements, ECTS requirements and recognition throughout the participating HEIs. In a previous survey targeted to Ulysseus non-academic staff, multilingualism, intercultural competences and communication stood out as desired development areas.  

Curriculum design, virtual platform and participant engagement 

Develop a curriculum that balances online and in-person activities, incorporating diverse teaching methods such as lectures, workshops, group projects and interactive sessions. Identify and involve experts to design and deliver the content, utilizing expertise from all participating HEIs and corporate partners. The staff members in Ulysseus universities all work in a multicultural environment and the core of our BIP was formed by lectures, workshops and interactive simulations on intercultural competences led by a true professional of this area.  

When choosing the virtual platform make sure that it is easily accessible and adheres to accessibility standards. Ensure all participants are familiar with the technology and provide necessary technical support. Ulysseus BIPs have successfully used the Digital Platform and Ulysseus Moodle, allowing participants to access the platform with their own university credentials, facilitating communication and interaction before and after online and in-person sessions. Ulysseus Moodle was supported by Howspace for enhanced collaborative opportunities.  

You might want to consider assigning pre-tasks to participants to guarantee a varied programme and give them opportunities to act as instructors too. Participants in the Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences BIP prepared presentations on their universities, cultures and customs, and they also led language tandems in their own mother tongue based on provided materials. This helped participants to get to know each other beforehand, easing community building during the intensive week on-site. 

Don’t overlook joint leisure activities – offer a city tour, a night by a Finnish lake with sauna or a joint dinner to showcase the best of your country and company. 

Don’t forget practicalities and feedback! 

To make guests comfortable, provide detailed information on accommodation options, costs and recommendations, as well as comprehensive information about the host city, including cultural attractions, dining options, and local customs. Supply participants with public transportation details. 

Conduct a thorough evaluation at the end of the BIP to assess its success and identify areas for improvement. Reflect on participants’ learning by comparing their knowledge at the beginning and end of the program. Feedback from the recent Haaga-Helia-hosted BIP on Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences was overwhelmingly positive, with all respondents rating the experience with the highest possible grade. Participants appreciated the sense of community, with one noting, “I really liked the fact that everyone felt comfortable sharing their perspectives,” and another highlighting, “The communication between all of us was exceptional.”

The content was particularly well-received, focusing on intercultural competences and multilingualism, which participants found highly relevant and beneficial for their professional development. Also, the organisation received only praise, and all of the participants would recommend the experience to their peers back at home. 

Haaga-Helia successfully co-created the concept with Ulysseus partners and hosted the first edition of this BIP in Finland. After the first implementation, the BIP will start travelling to other Ulysseus universities. Next spring the camp will take place in Innsbruck, Austria and invites another international group of non-academic staff to enhance their skills on multilingualism and intercultural competences!

Read more about the content of the BIP