On 7–9 June 2023 Jolanta Valiaugienė, Head of Unit for International Relations of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution, Chair of the International Relations Committee of the Rectors’ Conference of Lithuanian University Colleges (LKDK) participated in the Erasmus+ international cooperation seminar “Blended mobility for Higher Education: challenges, opportunities and concrete implementation”.

In the new 2021–2027 stage of the Erasmus+ programme, one of the main priorities is digitalisation and increasing inclusiveness and diversity. While the European Commission’s guidelines encourage long-term physical mobility, it recognizes the need to offer options to choose the duration of physical mobility more flexibly, in order to ensure that all students can participate in the Erasmus+ programme, regardless of their background, circumstances and field of study.

The importance of these activities in the development of virtual studies is also emphasised. Blended mobility is a combination of physical mobility with a virtual component facilitating a collaborative online learning exchange and teamwork. For example, the virtual component can bring learners together online from different countries and study fields to follow online courses or work collectively and simultaneously on assignments that are recognised as part of their studies. Blended mobility and blended intensive programmes enable participants to experience innovations, increase cooperation with companies, organisations and other interested parties. Not only students, but also employees can participate in this activity. More on this: “Blended Intensive Programmes in Practice”.

“The aim of the workshop, which was attended by over fifty participants representing all countries participating in the Erasmus+ programme, was to raise awareness and knowledge on how to overcome barriers to participation in blended mobility and blended intensive programmes and to activate the involvement of higher education institutions in these activities. During the event, representatives of national agencies and higher education institutions of foreign countries shared their experience on how to ensure successful participation in blended mobility and blended intensive programmes, discussed problems arising in the administration of these activities and their solutions. Also, we were able to ask questions and communicate directly to the representative of the European Commission, who is responsible for these activities.

Although the participants mentioned obstacles and difficulties in the implementation of this activity, all unanimously emphasised the undoubted added value created by this activity for the modernization and internationalisation of studies: increasing inclusion, sharing international experience; activities are particularly effective in project-based pedagogy. Lecturers who develop blended intensive programmes with international partners are encouraged to use modern curriculum development tools such as “Learning Designer”. During the implementation of the activity, the participants encounter various partners, and therefore, various work and teaching methods, different approaches to the field of study, etc.,” says J. Valiaugienė.

One of the most important strategic goals of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution is to develop the international openness of studies.

To make it easier for students and employees to participate in mobility activities, Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution, in accordance with the principles of the Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education, aims to ensure equal and fair access and other opportunities for potential participants. In order to ensure flexibility for students to participate in mobility, opportunities are provided to participate in mixed short-term mobility by participating in various international projects with foreign partners.

In 2023–2024, according to the Erasmus+ programme, students of higher education institutions  will have the opportunity to participate not only in the intensive programmes of various interdisciplinary study areas organised by partner institutions, but also to actively participate in those implemented in the higher education institution itself.

Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution has confirmed groups of students and employees with less opportunities to participate in mobility activities which receive additional funding (top up) from the European Commission. In order to encourage students to participate in mobility, Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution, with scholarships approved by the European Commission, also allocates additional funding from the institution’s funds to students going to study.