Last week, Wrocław University of Science and Technology became a hub of international collaboration and innovation as it hosted the International Staff Week, “Education Without Borders: Planting Seeds for the Development of Joint Learning Ecosystems.” Experts and practitioners from across Europe came together to explore how academic partnerships can shape modern, international learning ecosystems.
This year’s edition, co-created with Unite! partners — Politecnico di Torino, UPC Barcelona, TU Darmstadt, and Aalto University — combined intensive workshops, panel discussions, and presentations of best practices. The programme brought together participants from a dozen universities, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and co-creation of new educational initiatives.
From foundations to hands-on learning
The week kicked off with panels on the fundamentals of international collaboration. Experts from Wrocław Tech — Dr. Hab. Eng. Grzegorz Lesiuk, Dr. Hab. Eng. Michał Stosiak, and Anna Iwanowska — shared best practices in designing high-quality Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs). Davide Papurello from Politecnico di Torino and Veruscka Xavier Filgueira from Aalto University offered practical guidance on developing COIL courses, highlighting common challenges and solutions.
Wednesday moved into hands-on workshops. Prof. Łukasz Sadowski led a session on the interdisciplinary Resilient Built Environment Master Programme, while Dr. Hab. Eng. Agnieszka Tubis showcased the U-Team Project, demonstrating how innovation can enhance teaching skills and internationalization. Participants also toured laboratories actively engaged in international projects, gaining insight into collaborative research in practice.
Thursday’s sessions focused on building joint curricula and double degrees. Dr. Eng. Andreas Haun from TU Darmstadt and Ewa Mroczek from Wrocław Tech shared findings from the MACInAC project, while Dr. Eng. Justyna Herlender presented practical strategies for creating international programs. Dr. Hab. Elżbieta Zienkiewicz guided a session on micro-credentials, a key tool for flexible, modular education in the future.
Reflections and next steps
The week concluded with a panel on sustaining long-term international collaboration and strengthening partner networks. Participants discussed lessons learned and envisioned the next steps in building a truly interconnected European educational ecosystem.
