The Open University of Cyprus (OUC) proudly announces the successful completion of its very first Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), which was held from June 17 to June 21, 2024 entitled "Current Development and Trends in Educational Leadership”. This innovative programme saw the enthusiastic participation of 27 students, and 16 professors from 10 European universities, marking a significant milestone in educational collaboration and leadership training.
The BIP, organized by the Postgraduate Programme (MA) in Educational Leadership and Policy, under the scientific coordinator of the Programme’s Director Assistant Professor Antonios Kafa, and the OUC Mobility Office, coordinated by Ms Erato Ioanna Sarri, aimed to explore contemporary trends and developments in educational leadership. The programme provided a platform for students to engage in intensive learning experiences, combining both virtual and physical mobility. This hybrid format allowed participants to benefit from a diverse range of perspectives and methodologies. The Programme was a a rich educational and cultural experience.
The primary goal of the BIP was to enhance understanding of key topics in educational leadership, including edupreneurial leadership, school leadership and external evaluation, and educational governance. Participants attended workshops and presentations delivered by leading academics and researchers from across Europe. This comprehensive approach not only broadened the students' knowledge but also equipped them with practical skills and innovative strategies applicable in their professional lives.
The success of the Programme was made possible through the collaborative efforts of a distinguished consortium of universities. The participating institutions included:
- University of Primorska (Slovenia)
- Complutense University of Madrid (Spain)
- Stockholm University (Sweden)
- University of Coimbra (Portugal)
- Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania)
- University of Humanities and Economics in Łódź (Poland)
- University of Rijeka (Croatia)
Additionally, guest instructors from the Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt (Austria), and the University of Glasgow (UK) enriched the programme with their expertise.
Students praised the programme for its rigorous academic content and the opportunity to network with peers and experts in the field of educational leadership. The Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme at OUC stands as a testament to the power of collaborative education and the importance of fostering international academic partnerships. The success of this BIP underscores the commitment of the Open University of Cyprus to advancing interdisciplinary and multicultural education and promoting international collaboration with European universitie
