Building a sustainable future

The Construction study programme at the Faculty of Applied Engineering has taken the lead in initiating and coordinating the groundbreaking Blended Intensive Programme on Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure and Buildings. In collaboration with eight renowned foreign partner institutions from the Euclides network, a programme was developed to enable students to delve into the latest technologies and visions in the field of sustainability. The purpose? Studying the construction of future-proof cities, buildings and infrastructure.

Blended Intensive Programmes are all about integrating physical and digital learning opportunities in intense collaboration with students and scholars from all over the world. In 2022, under the auspices of Professor Wim Van den bergh, 48 students took part in an intensive five-day period. They were immersed in an international environment with 18 fascinating lectures, an inspiring excursion, a company visit, a city tour and a lively Global Village. With 12 visiting professors participating (three of them remotely), there was an abundance of expertise. And the experience got underway well before the physical meeting, with students getting acquainted and attending online lectures in a digital preparatory programme.

'This BIP not only offers students a unique opportunity to experience new educational approaches, but is also an invaluable opportunity for lecturers, postdocs and PhD students to meet colleagues from other universities and explore their diverse teaching methods. Furthermore, it opens the door for master students to explore other universities as potential locations for their PhD programmes. This is exemplified by the successful PhD trajectory, funded by an FWO grant, of a student who started her academic journey by participating in this BIP.'

(Wim Van den bergh)

The highlight of this BIP? That would have to be the presentations of 12 pioneering projects, in which students demonstrated their newly acquired knowledge and their vibrant creativity. However, this type of mobility is about so much more than just academic success. It was a vibrant cultural exchange with intense social interaction between students, researchers and scholars.

What did the students think of this experience? Students highly recommend participating in a BIP as it is an enriching experience – both academically and personally. Why?

• Recognition of credits: participation in a BIP is recognised by the home university, meaning students can earn credits while gaining valuable international experience.
• Collaborating in international and multidisciplinary teams: a BIP offers students the opportunity to collaborate with peers from around the world, improving their teamwork and intercultural communication skills.
• Learning about topics that are less discussed at the home university: a BIP allows students to delve into topics that may not be covered extensively at their home university, broadening their knowledge and understanding.

With the financial support of the Erasmus+ programme, Blended Intensive Programmes like this can become reality. Organisational funding is available to the organisers via UAntwerp, while foreign participants can apply for a mobility budget at their home institution.