Blended Intensive Programs (BIP)

Lack of fruiting is a common failure in cultivated plants, especially in protected cultivation where pollinators’ access is complicated by the closed structure and where the climate modification brings harsh conditions for plant fertility. Unfortunately, this lack of fruiting is rarely analysed in deep determining which component of flower fertility failed. The main objective of this course is to form students in the fundaments and methodology to evaluate reproductive success and failures in cultivated plants, more exactly in measuring male (pollen) and female (gynoecium) fertility. Students will also learn to measure flower attractiveness and rewards and their effects on pollinators insects. Evaluation of pollinators’ activity and pollen-pistil interaction in response is within the program. The course also intends to form students in the evaluation of reproductive success by measuring fertilization levels, and initial and final seed set and fruit set. Fruit and seed abortion will be analysed too. Visits to some very good companies producing different kind of insects for selling to the greenhouse producers will integrate the activities.

This course is of particular interest for Agronomy students, but also for students in the fields of Botany, Plant Ecology and related fields.

• Language: English
• Dates physical mobility: February 3-7, 2025

• Location: University of Almería (Spain)

• Dates virtual mobility: Three sessions of two hours of duration scheduled before the on-site mobility          
• Number of ECTS:  3

• Maximum number of participants: 25

How to apply?

We invite who is interested in participating to the BIP to contact with BIP coordinator: Julián Cuevas González ([email protected])

This course aims to equip students with an interdisciplinary understanding of how green infrastructure and circular economies can be integrated to create resilient, sustainable cities. Students will explore the interconnections between ecological systems, city planning, bioeconomy principles, and regional development through both theoretical instruction and practical experience.  Warsaw, a global leader in integrating nature-based solutions and circular economy principles into its urban planning strategies, offers an exemplary model for other cities to follow. With a strong focus on biodiversity, flood protection, ecosystem services, and sustainable economic development, Warsaw has implemented progressive policies and projects that address urban environmental challenges, from restoring natural watercourses to managing green spaces for climate resilience. Students will explore how the city has transformed its infrastructure in response to the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change, making it an ideal learning laboratory. In addition to its leadership in green infrastructure, Warsaw has adopted circular economy initiatives that promote resource efficiency and sustainable waste management, creating a synergy between ecological and economic development.

Through online modules and a five-day on-site visit to Warsaw, students will gain theoretical knowledge and practical insights into how these principles are applied in a real-world context. The online portion will provide a foundational understanding of green infrastructure, bioeconomy, and circular economy concepts. The on-site segment will allow students to explore Warsaw’s pioneering projects firsthand while working in groups to develop proposals for sustainable urban development in the city’s specific environmental challenges.

• Language: English
• Dates physical mobility: May 12-16, 2025

• Location: Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland) 

• Dates virtual mobility: Three sessions of two hours of duration scheduled before the on-site mobility          
• Number of ECTS:  3

• Maximum number of participants: 20-25

How to apply?

We invite who is interested in participating to the BIP to contact with BIP coordinators:

• Prof. Nina Drejerska ([email protected])

• Prof. Daria Sikorska ([email protected])

Students will get familiar with current challenges and trends in landscape architecture and planning in the Arctic context, from understanding the Arctic landscapes and their unique characteristics to environmental, cultural, and societal factors. Students will explore sustainable planning and design practices tailored to the Arctic’s ecological and climatic conditions.

During the course, students will conduct a landscape character assessment to evaluate and document the physical, cultural and visual attributes of the landscape and its dominants.

• Language: English
• Dates physical mobility: 7 days in person in July/August, 2025

• Location: Agricultural University of Iceland (Iceland) 

• Dates virtual mobility: online session date will be defined          
• Number of ECTS:  3

• Maximum number of participants: 20

How to apply?

We invite those who are interested in participating in the BIP to contact BIP coordinators:

• Lukáš Pospíšil ([email protected])

• Daniele Stefano ([email protected])

The aim of the course is to delve into the dual higher education, which is based on the alternation of learning between the academic and the professional environment in a coordinated way for the acquisition of required skills. Since higher education institutions (HEIs) are committed to improving the employability of students, there is a need to get to know which skills are the most valued in the labour market. Cooperation between HEIs and the labour market is therefore needed to ensure that graduates have the appropriate knowledge, skills and competences.

During the physical mobility, the participants will get an overview of dual higher education in the context of the UE, with the experience of the leading universities. On the one hand, the key components of the process will be explained: mentoring, learning agreement and coordination between HEIs and host firms. On the other hand, participants will be able to take part in practical activities that will allow them to discover new employability skills and how business sector can get involved in the dual education.        

The aim of the virtual part is to prepare a dual program adaptation for a bachelor’s or master’s degree of the participating HEIs. The program will be prepared between groups that will work in the dual itinerary, adopting the collaborative working methodology.

What’s more, the interaction between members of different universities will encourage the preparation of dual international program, with the engagement of firms in the countries of Unigreen Alliance.

This course is of particular interest for Lecturers and degree coordinators, Staff Members of Employability and Internship programs, Staff Members of Teaching and learning

• Language: English
• Dates physical mobility: June 9-13, 2025

• Location: University of Almería (Spain)

• Dates virtual mobility: July 3^rd (mentoring session) and on September 4^th (presentation session)      
• Number of ECTS:  3

• Maximum number of participants: 30

How to apply?

We invite who is interested in participating to the BIP to contact with: Mª del Pilar Casado Belmonte, [email protected]

Aim of the BIP Course is to provide a focus on  many aspects affecting the quality of food production and processing such as: Food applied microbiology, meet quality, packaging and shelf life, edible packaging, chemical photography, applied entomology, crop defence from pathogens, resistance to pesticides, sustainable intensification, biodiversity agricultural, plan ethology and Shinrin-yoku, rural development in the Balkan area

Teaching activities, seminars and practical activities on food sciences, factory and farm visits will take advantage of the longstanding food tradition of the Emilia Romagna region where there is a high concentration of products receiving acknowledgement of excellence all around the world (e.g. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Parma, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, etc)

National as well as international leaders in the field as well as experts from EFSA will joint and integrate the local teaching staff.

• Language: English
• Dates physical mobility: June 23^rd to July 4^th, 2025

• Location: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)

• Dates virtual mobility: April – May 2025,  8 hours in virtual classe          
• Number of ECTS:  4

• Maximum number of participants: 30

How to apply?

We invite who is interested in participating to the BIP to contact with BIP coordinators:

• Prof. Andrea Pulvirenti ([email protected])

• Prof. Enrico Francia ([email protected])