In the academic year 2024/2025, ERF participated for the first time as a partner in the Erasmus+ activity BIP – Blended Intensive program. The Blended Intensive Program (BIP) is a short, intensive program (5-30 days) of a flexible format in which innovative ways of learning and teaching are applied, which include a virtual and physical component.
From 5 to 9 May 2025, Prof. Irma Kovčo Vukadin, Assist. Prof. Sabina Mandić and eight students of Social Pedagogy (three from undergraduate studies and five from graduate studies) participated in the BIP program 'Cyberbullying' in Ghent, Belgium.
The coordinator of the program is Odisee University of Applied Sciences. In addition to ERF, the partners in the program were the University of Applied Sciences (Leuven, Belgium), Uniwersytet Radomski (Radom, Poland) and Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands). Five to seven students from each partner university participated in the program. The students attended lectures on electronic violence among young people, presented their countries and faculties, and worked in international groups on the development of interventions in the field of electronic violence prevention. At the end of the week, the students presented their ideas in small groups, which gave them the opportunity to practice their presentation skills in English in front of a larger group. In addition, a study visit was organized to various institutions and associations that, as part of their work, also work on the prevention of electronic violence among children and young people.
Prof. Irma Kovčo Vukadin and Assist. Prof. Sabina Mandić gave lectures to BIP program participants on the topics "Research report: Online Experiences and Indicators of Mental Health of University Students" and "Cyberbullying: global and regional perspectives", and mentored students during the preparation of workshops/activities on the topic of cyberbullying.
In addition to intensive lectures and workshops, there was also free time, so students had the opportunity to explore and learn more about Ghent. The evaluation of this exchange indicates the high satisfaction among students, as well as teachers, with all aspects of its organization. They highlight meeting students from other countries, exchanging knowledge and experiences, and the opportunity to improve abroad as the greatest value.