The flavour of connection and powerful stories from Ukraine

Short, intensive and hybrid exchange projects are shaping the future. You could clearly see this during the International Staff Week (ISW) at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, which took place last week in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. More than thirty lecturers and staff members joined from ten different countries, including Canada, the United States, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine.

In this article, you can read more about our strategic approach to internationalisation.

Working together on real-world challenges
The week focused on helping participants explore Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs). These are short, hybrid programmes in which at least three international partners work together on a societal challenge. Inholland already offers more than thirty BIPs. In her opening speech, Marije Deutekom, member of the Executive Board, highlighted their importance:‘They allow us to work across borders with regional partners on the transition to a sustainable and resilient society.’

Students present their ideas
A special part of the week was a BIP in action: ‘Flavours of Connection’, a collaboration with Yeditepe University in Istanbul and Centria University of Applied Sciences in Finland. A total of 32 students took part. They visited Giraffe Coffee Roasters and explored the Van Nelle Factory.

On Tuesday afternoon, they presented their concepts to the International Staff Week participants. Abdul Kara, lecturer in Business Studies and initiator of the BIP, reflects on this moment: ‘Our students found it quite exciting to receive feedback from international lecturers they did not know. But a great energy quickly emerged. It felt like a busy beehive. Wonderful to see.’

Showing what we stand for
During the closing session on Friday, which included a co-design workshop by Claudia Mayer from the Societal Impact Design research group, many participants shared their enthusiasm for BIPs.Petra Hogendoorn-Schweighofer, Strategic Adviser for Internationalisation, looks back on the week with pride: ‘I believe we truly showed our international partners what Inholland stands for: our ambitions, our core values and the way we design our education.’

Alongside the workshops, participants also enjoyed a rich social programme. On Monday, they explored Rotterdam and Delfshaven with guide Jaap Versluis, lecturer in Communication. On Thursday, the programme continued in Amsterdam, including a workshop at the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab and an introduction to the English-taught minor ‘Future Finance’. After that, there was time to discover the city.

Versluis was especially moved by the stories of eight colleagues from Ukraine: ‘They travelled for more than 24 hours by bus just to be here. That alone shows incredible motivation. Given the difficult circumstances they are teaching in, we wanted to support them as much as possible.’

‘An unforgettable week’
Roman Zvarych from West Ukrainian National University in Ternopil describes the week as unforgettable: ‘The atmosphere and hospitality were exceptional. We made many new and inspiring connections. If possible, we would love to return soon.’

Nataliya Mukan from Lviv Polytechnic National University agrees: ‘It was inspiring to meet colleagues who share the same mindset. We felt part of a close and welcoming community, which made this experience truly special.’

Dat beaamde ook Nataliya Mukan van de Lviv Polytechnic National University: “Het was fantastisch om collega’s met dezelfde mindset te ontmoeten. We werden ondergedompeld in een hechte en warme gemeenschap en dat was voor ons heel bijzonder om te ervaren.”