In a partnership between Psychology and Management, students from five countries took part in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) – an innovative and intensive programme that combines online and face-to-face learning, offering students a rich international experience without the need for extended travel.

The Faculty of Education and Psychology at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP) and the Católica Porto Business School provided a unique international academic experience by organising a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).

Over the course of a week, students from various nationalities and partner universities, alongside UCP students, came together at Católica in Porto for an intensive course marked by interdisciplinary learning and networking.

Under the theme "Innovation Beyond Boundaries: Crafting Education and a Talented Workforce in an Era of Change", this edition brought together students from five countries in a collaboration between Psychology and Management, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence, mental health, and empathetic leadership.

An intense week of workshops, lectures, and field visits in Porto

Prior to the in-person sessions, students had access to preparatory materials and took part in an online opening session. The in-person experience at Universidade Católica in Porto took place from 24 to 28 March 2025, with a diverse programme featuring interactive workshops and expert-led lectures. Topics included the role of research in organisational transformation, the power of education in empowering future professionals, diversity and inclusion in organisational settings, sustainable communication, decision-making and empathetic leadership, artificial intelligence in the workplace, and mental health at work.

In addition to the academic activities, students visited key institutions such as the Lionesa Business Hub, Estádio do Dragão, and Hospital de São João, offering them practical, real-world insight into the programme’s topics. Alongside academic rigour, the initiative also featured cultural and social moments, encouraging connections among students.

A meeting of cultures and ideas

This edition of the BIP welcomed 48 participants in total, including 36 international students from partner universities in Spain, Lithuania, Romania, and Poland, as well as 12 students from UCP (enrolled in the Master’s in Psychology and Human Resources Development at FEP-UCP and the Master’s in Management with a specialisation in Human Resources Management at CPBS).

According to Filipa Sobral (FEP-UCP) and Eva Dias de Oliveira (CPBS), lecturers and members of the course’s organising committee, this diversity enriched the discussions and fostered a valuable exchange of ideas. “Interaction among students from different backgrounds promotes key intercultural skills, such as adapting to new realities, effective communication in multicultural settings, and international collaborative work,” they emphasised.

A week that left a lasting impact

The impact of the BIP is reflected in the words of its participants. João Mury, a CPBS student and participant, described the week as “transformative in many ways,” highlighting the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas on the contemporary challenges of education and the future of work. “Engaging with international professors and peers further enriched the experience. Beyond exchanging perspectives, we also formed truly meaningful friendships,” he said.

Mariana Santos Almeida, a FEP-UCP student, echoed this sentiment, calling it a “remarkable experience that uniquely blended academic growth and cultural exchange. Through workshops, visits, and lectures, I was able to reflect on current challenges in academia and the international job market.” For her, the experience reinforced the importance of international collaboration in both personal and academic development, leaving her even more motivated for future projects abroad.

Coming from Lithuania, Tomas Milius expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to get to know Universidade Católica and meet amazing people. “The professors were very welcoming and friendly. They created an environment that made me feel at home. Also, I learned new things that will be useful in my future career. I’m very thankful for this opportunity!” he shared.

The choice of Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto as host for the BIP reinforces its role in organising innovative and interdisciplinary programmes. “UCP stands out for its commitment to academic excellence and internationalisation, and Porto, as a cosmopolitan and dynamic city, offers the perfect setting for reflecting on the themes explored in the course,” said Filipa Sobral.

“The success of this edition is due to the dedication of the organising team, the commitment of the lecturers, and the enthusiasm of the students. We thank all participants and look forward to strengthening this initiative in future editions!”, concluded the lecturers from FEP-UCP and CPBS.

The BIP organising committee also included Patrícia Oliveira-Silva (FEP-UCP) and Diogo Costa, a researcher at the Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH).

What is the BIP?

The Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is an Erasmus+ initiative that brings together at least three higher education institutions to develop a short, multidisciplinary, international course focused on innovative teaching and learning strategies.

With a hybrid format combining online and face-to-face components, it offers students an international experience without the need for prolonged travel. Its interdisciplinary approach and strong practical component make this programme key to developing skills in innovation, collaboration, and adaptability in multicultural contexts.