Six FIR Students in Portugal on a 6-Credit Challenge-Based Innovation Course

We are pleased to share that on 7 June 2025, six students from the Faculty of International Relations, accompanied by our colleague from the Department of International Business, departed from the Czech Republic to participate in the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Challenge-Based Innovation”, organized by the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança.

In March 2025, students from various universities and 18 different nationalities, including those from Africa, Asia, and America, were divided into ten groups. Each group was tasked with developing practical solutions to projects assigned to them.

The program began with an online phase, which ran until early June. During this time, students conducted in-depth research on several aspects related to their respective projects. The in-person portion of the program was held in the small inland town of Alfandega da Fé, where all the projects were centred around addressing the needs of the municipality.

The challenges faced by the teams were significant. In addition to receiving support and feedback from their facilitators, students also benefited from input from facilitators of other teams and students from different groups. Several representatives from the town and local NGOs attended some of the meetings, adding even more perspectives. This high rotation of participants led to a broader range of opinions, which ultimately had a significant impact on the final solutions.

While some students faced some confusion and challenges, the continued engagement of the local organizing team helped them persevere and reach successful outcomes. The program was complemented by several cultural and social activities, enhancing the overall experience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança for their kind invitation and hospitality, and we look forward to the possibility of returning to Portugal in the future.