Latvian Academy of Culture Representatives Enhance Their Expertise in Developing International BIP Programmes
From 15 to 19 June 2026, academic and administrative staff members of the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) are participating in the international training programme “Build Your BIP with ACE²-EU: Developing Successful BIPs from Concept to Implementation”, organised by the ACE²-EU European University Alliance and hosted by the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) in Ingolstadt, Germany.
The aim of the training programme is to strengthen the competencies of staff from ACE²-EU partner universities in the development, coordination, and integration of Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) within higher education. The training brings together representatives from nine ACE²-EU partner institutions to jointly develop new ideas for international cooperation and promote the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ programme.
The five-day intensive programme explores the potential of BIPs in fostering mobility for students, academic staff, administrative personnel, and researchers. Participants are introduced to best-practice examples, discuss BIP coordination within the ACE²-EU Alliance, and work on proposals for developing common programme structures. The training also includes sessions on BIP methodology, creating inclusive and culturally sensitive learning environments, as well as communication and marketing strategies for successful programme implementation. Particular emphasis is placed on hands-on learning, enabling participants to develop their own BIP ideas step by step, from the initial concept to a concrete implementation plan.
The Latvian Academy of Culture is represented at the training by Associate Professor Dr. Paed. Ilze Norvele and Baiba Freimane, Coordinator of Work Package 2 within the European University Alliance. Participation in the programme provides the Academy with an opportunity to expand its international cooperation activities, develop new joint study and professional development initiatives, and further strengthen its role within the ACE²-EU European University Alliance. The training also serves as a platform for building new professional networks and fostering future collaborative initiatives among alliance partners.
Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are becoming an increasingly important format in international higher education, as they combine virtual collaboration with short-term physical mobility. This model enables broader participation, reduces mobility-related costs, and at the same time provides valuable intercultural experiences and opportunities for international cooperation. BIPs support flexible and innovation-driven learning, allowing higher education institutions to respond more effectively to contemporary societal and labour market challenges. They also offer students and staff the opportunity to develop international competencies, collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, and strengthen connections across the European Higher Education Area.
The training is organised within the framework of the ACE²-EU European University Alliance and is funded by the Erasmus+ programme.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project 101177596. The ACE2-EU project is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
Written by Baiba Freimane