The different BIPs (Blended Intensive Programs) have addressed, among other topics, the improvement of the quality of doctoral research and academic supervision, as well as the internationalization of curricula

The International Center of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) organised several international programs this week, turning the Catalunya and Sescelades campuses into spaces for academic and intercultural exchange, with students and staff from universities in the Aurora European network. These initiatives are part of the university’s internationalisation strategy, which is central to the Strategic Internationalization Plan (PEI), and reflect the commitment to integrating a global dimension into teaching and the training of its students and staff, as outlined in the Strategic Teaching Plan (PLED).

In total, four Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) were held during the week. These are intensive programs that combine online and in-person activities and are part of the Erasmus+ program. The initiatives were aimed at both doctoral students and academic and technical staff, with the goal of promoting short-term mobility, the exchange of best practices, and international collaboration.

One of the highlighted programs was the one about Linguistic Diversity, Interculturality and European Identity, coordinated by the Department of English and German Studies and aimed at academic and technical staff. It was focused on multilingualism and linguistic diversity in higher education as key elements in building a shared European identity. The Catalunya campus also hosted the BIPs Get the most out of your PhD and Good practices in PhD supervision, promoted by the Doctoral School and aimed at strengthening the quality of doctoral research and academic supervision.

Parallel to this, the Sescelades campus hosted the program INTRAEDUPHD – International Training for Education PhD Students, coordinated by the Department of Pedagogy. This initiative, aimed at PhD students in Education, focused on developing research skills and fostering academic growth in an international environment, especially for students in the intermediate stages of their doctoral studies.

The cultural dimension also played an important role with the celebration of the fourth Aurora Gastro Week, held during the same week in the canteens of the Catalunya and Sescelades campuses. The buffet menus included typical dishes from countries that are members of the Aurora alliance, accompanied by informational materials and outreach activities, with the aim of bringing European cultural diversity closer to the URV community.

The international weeks do not end here. In May and June, the URV will host two new training initiatives: the program Challenge-Based Innovation Coordination, at the Terres de l’Ebre Campus, and the BIP Financial Plan for Social Impact Entrepreneurs, which will take place at the Bellissens campus. With this set of initiatives, the URV consolidates its commitment to open, innovative education connected to global challenges.