The initiative, held at the Polytechnic University of Bragança, promoted dialogue on the role of technology in education and its social impact

The Polytechnic University of Bragança (Portugal) hosted the first edition of the Combined Intensive Programme (BIP) “Critical Thinking in the Age of Generative AI – A Transformative Learning Experience”, which brought together 35 participants from nine European universities, several of them from the alliance, to reflect on critical thinking in the era of artificial intelligence.

The programme, developed from 13 to 17 October within the framework of STARS EU, promoted the development of analytical, argumentative and ethical skills in the face of the challenges posed by AI in education and contemporary society. Through several interactive sessions, attendees explored tools such as ChatGPT and image generators, and discussed key issues such as transparency, privacy, misinformation, and fairness in the use of these technologies.

Organized by the Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Education and Development (CITeD), the BIP was structured in three complementary modules that combined theory with practice and interdisciplinary discussion. The participatory approach fostered intense collaboration between teachers and students, in an open and multicultural learning environment.

Immersive experience

Beyond the academic field, the program offered an immersive experience in the north of Portugal, with visits to the Graça Morais Contemporary Art Center, Bragança Castle, Casa da Seda – Science Center and Montesinho Natural Park, highlighting the connection between education, culture and territory.

This BIP brought together students and teachers from universities in nine European countries, including the STARS member institutions: Cracow University of Technology (Poland), University of La Laguna (Spain), Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), and Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences (Germany). Beyond the alliance, participants came from the University of Vigo (Spain), University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, and University of Oradea (Romania), Kajaani University of Applied Sciences – KAMK (Finland), Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Hungary), and the University of Zadar (Croatia).

STARS EU will explore how Joint Programmes — degree programmes jointly designed and managed by universities from different countries — can strengthen international collaboration and open new opportunities for both students and academic staff.

The online workshop, led by several experts from member universities, will guide participants through all stages of developing and implementing a Joint Programme, from defining the initial concept and selecting partners to completing formal approval procedures. Its aim is to provide teaching staff and programme directors with a clear and practical understanding of the entire process.

In addition to theoretical insights, participants will receive practical information about the support services and resources available within STARS EU to facilitate the creation and management of such collaborative programmes.

The workshop (Thursday 23 November, from 14:00 to 15:30 h CEST) will also include interactive components, allowing participants to discuss specific questions, share experiences, and address the challenges associated with transnational academic cooperation.

If you are a member or STARS EU and want to register, click here

The 4th edition of the BIP – Blended Intensive Programme Local Markets,  organised by Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB), has concluded, bringing together 33 students and nine teachers from Portugal, Romania, Spain, Croatia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Moldova, and Brazil. This cross-border programme, in which students from STARS EU participated, blends culture, art, community, and international cooperation.

Over the course of two months, participants undertook a multidisciplinary creative journey in Multimedia, developing projects in photography, design, audiovisual media, and illustration. Final presentations were held last week in Mirandela and Bragança, the heart of the programme’s in-person activities.

The program was developed from a holistic perspective as a starting point for developing creative projects in animation, design, photography, film, drawing, architecture, digital media, and music. These initiatives are closely linked to local markets and their cultural origins, ensuring their relevance and authenticity.

Coordinated by Professors Ana Lúcia Pinto and Carlos Casimiro Costa from the Multimedia degree at EsACT-IPB, with support from Tiago Fernandes, Arlindo Santos, and Roberto Vaz, through the Integrated Project curricular unit, the programme was carried out in collaboration with several partner institutions: Ștefan cel Mare University (Suceava, Romania), Politehnica University of Timișoara (Romania), University of La Laguna (Spain), Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), University of Osijek (Croatia), University of the National Education Commission (Poland), and the Federal Institute of Science and Technology of Maranhão (Brazil).

Special recognition is given to Kinga Racoń-Leja, from Kraków University of Technology (Poland) and Jana Orlova Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), representing STARS EU, and to Stefan Sfichi (Romania), the project’s longest-standing international partner.

Local visits

Local partners played a vital role in the success of the programme, including Galeria do Mercado, Graça Morais Mountain Arts Lab, ACIMirandela, Georges Dussaud Photography Centre, Côa Museum, the Confraria da Alheira de Mirandela, Padaria Seramota, Café Rodrigues, the Cooperative of Honey and Nuts from Terra Quente, and the Municipality of Mirandela. The initiative also received institutional support from EsACT-IPB and ESEB.

The programme also celebrated community spirit and friendship, with music by Eduardo Beça closing the week in true Erasmus+ style.

The Rector of Aleksandër Moisiu University of Durrës (UAMD), Shkëlqim Fortuzi, received a delegation from the Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB) in recent days. A meeting in which both institutions strengthened relations and on which Fortuzi highlighted the “successful cooperation and close relationship” between both academic centers, as partners of the European University Alliance STARS EU.

The meeting served to point out the strengthening of current common projects thanks to the implementation of the Joint Studies Program in International Business Management, which will be crowned with the incorporation of four UAMD students in the IPB, during the next academic year.

The IPB delegation, ─headed by Nuno Ribeiro, Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Management─ was made up of Sónia Nogueira, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Public Administration and Tourism; Paula Odete Fernandes, Coordinator of the Applied Management Research Unit; Nuno Moutinho, Director of the Bachelor’s Program in International Business Management; José Carlos Rufino, professor of Computer Science; Rute Couto, as well as the professors of Law and Public Administration, Bernardete Bittencourt and Filipe Rodrigues.

Cristina Mesquita, from the Office for International Relations, and Elisabete Silva, Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development, highlighted the “close cooperation” between both institutions. The lecturers, along with other participants in the meeting, emphasised the need to deepen joint projects in scientific research, academic and student exchange, as well as the shared multidisciplinary path towards internationalisation.

This meeting forms part of the initiatives being carried out by both UAMD and IPB to strengthen institutional, pedagogical and student cooperation, with the aim of jointly contributing to the European academic area and regional development—key objectives outlined in STARS EU.