The first part of the event was dedicated to contextualizing the concept of flexible learning and the role of European university alliances in promoting transnational cooperation. And the role of BIPs in transforming university education and redefining how the teaching-learning process is understood was pointed out since the beginning of the event:
With the changes taking place at the European level, we are transforming not only how we teach, but also how we view higher education. BIPs are the building blocks of our education system – they offer flexibility, stability, and help us build a stronger and more attractive community", said Assistant Professor Sorin Costreie, coordinator of the CIVIS Alliance at the University of Bucharest.
European alliances and collaborative learning
The introductory presentations provided participants with a broad overview of how universities can collaborate to create common spaces for education, research, and academic mobility. Olga Wessels, representative of the ECIU alliance and coordinator of the FOREU4ALL alliance, shared their insights: "The ECIU experience shows that learning only becomes truly flexible when universities collaborate and learn from each other. Initiatives such as FOREU4ALL provide us with precisely this framework for dialogue and cooperation."
In the same vein, Prof. Romiță Iucu, President of the Board of Trustees of the University of Bucharest and coordinator of the European Degree and Joint Programs Group within FOREU4ALL, offered a conceptual vision of the idea of flexibility:
When we talk about flexible learning pathways, we are not only referring to the freedom of students to choose their own path, but also to the responsibility of institutions to create the infrastructure that makes these paths possible. Flexibility does not mean chaos, but coherence, collaboration, and trust. We need to move from simple inclusion to what we call transclusivity—a model in which diversity becomes a real resource for learning and innovation", underlined Professor Iucu.
CIVIS and the path to flexible learning
While presenting the CIVIS model for Blended Intensive Programs, Assistant Professor Alexandru Carțiș, coordinator of the CIVIS Education Unit, described them as "a safe framework for academic experimentation and collaboration, a space where teachers can test new forms of transnational cooperation and students can build their own educational path." He emphasized that CIVIS is a shared journey, in which the 11 European universities and 6 associated partners in Africa are working together to transform education into a truly multicultural, multilingual, and democratic process.
From vision to implementation: how to build flexible learning in practice
The second day of the event marked the transition from theory to practice, through a round table dedicated to European Alliances. Representatives of CIVIS, INGENIUM, and SEA-EU shared their experiences and challenges regarding credit recognition, harmonization of academic calendars, and adaptation of administrative structures to new forms of learning.
Participants emphasized the importance of institutional coherence and common frameworks to facilitate the development of transnational programs with a real impact on student education.
Following the theoretical sessions, the panel "From Design to Delivery: Effective BIP Practices" brought in front of the public successful BIP coordinating professors from the University of Bucharest, the Autonomous University of Madrid, and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, who offered concrete examples on how intensive blended programs can be designed and implemented effectively.
Lars Banzhaf, head of the CIVIS Mobility Unit, spoke about day to day life and challenges in implementing the BIPs, addressing issues related to the administrative and logistical aspects associated with these innovative educational formats.
Co-creation workshop: from idea to new BIP
The last part of the CIVIS Staff Week was dedicated to a workshop. Mixed teams of participants planned and simulated the stages of developing a BIP – from defining objectives and establishing partnerships, to selecting teaching methods and assessment methods.
The exercise facilitated the exchange of ideas between universities and emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and project-based learning. It's conclusion was common and clear: flexibility in education is not built solely through concepts or policies, but through co-creation, reflection, and continuous adaptation to the real needs of students and the European academic environment.
In just three years, CIVIS has developed over 200 BIPs, involving thousands of students and teaching staff from partner universities and strengthening a culture of cooperation and adaptability in European higher education. It's shared experience during the open staff week highlighted the potential of transnational collaboration as a driver of transformation in university education, marking an important step towards a more interconnected and flexible academic Europe.