A Rich and Diverse Experience for ŠVK Staff in France
The International Relations Coordinator of Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution, Dovydas Buivys, and the consultant of the Student Admission and Career Centre, Skaistė Buivytė, participated in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “The Role of Administration in the Student Experience”, which took place at the University of Tours.
The blended intensive programme implemented at the French university was designed for administrative staff of higher education institutions belonging to the NEOLAiA European Universities Alliance who work in the fields of international mobility, student services, and the planning and management of academic processes.
Prior to the in-person meeting at the University of Tours, participants had the opportunity to get acquainted and discuss the planned programme activities during the virtual component of the programme. The organisers encouraged dynamic engagement of participants in the remote sessions by using interactive digital tools.
The week-long programme of physical activities abroad promised a particularly rich and multifaceted experience.
The activities of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme began at the Faculty of Languages and Literature of the University of Tours, located near the famous Loire River. The learning and leisure spaces of the faculty were decorated with frescoes and drawings reflecting political and social ideas, bearing witness to the civically active, tolerant, and creative worldview of the academic community.
During the training sessions, representatives of Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution became familiar with the French higher education system, as well as the decentralised administrative structure and working methods of the University of Tours. The university places strong emphasis on students’ emotional and physical well-being, professional preparation, and personal development. With more than 31,000 students, the University of Tours offers opportunities for self-realisation through 75 certified student associations, access to the resources of 18 university libraries, active participation in physical and sports activities through the Department of Physical and Sports Activities, and the use of student health services. Students also have access to modern digital learning and publishing tools, can engage in a wide range of cultural activities, and make use of services provided by the Language Resource Centre. The university also hosts the Careers and Professional Integration Centre, where a team of experts provides consultations on career development, internships, training, entrepreneurship, and business development. The activities of this unit extend beyond current students, offering services to graduates as well as adults seeking to return to studies.
The International Relations Office of the University of Tours presented its structure and the international staff and student mobility programmes it administers. During discussions, key aspects of organising Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) were addressed. Participants shared experiences related to staff involvement in organising BIPs, academic recognition, and student participation in mobility programmes. Practical insights were also exchanged regarding the reception and integration of incoming exchange students.
In interactive seminars, particular attention was paid to inclusion and administrative responses to crisis situations. During presentations, identified crisis scenarios were analysed in group discussions. Partner institutions shared their crisis management systems, and joint reflections focused on identifying universal tools for managing crisis situations in higher education institutions. Participants were also introduced to the active culture of student protests at the University of Tours and its outcomes. Challenges and integration measures related to working with students with special needs were discussed.
Representatives of Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution were pleasantly surprised by the high level of engagement of staff and students at the University of Tours – more than 20 university representatives presented their activities, shared experiences, and actively participated in workshops and discussions. Programme participants had the opportunity to meet and interact with members of the University of Tours student association, as well as to hear the study mobility experience of a student with special needs at Örebro University in Sweden. Participants also had the opportunity to explore the history and architectural heritage of the city of Tours. Cultural activities in the surrounding Loire Valley included visits to the castles of Amboise and Montcontour.
During the visit, new contacts were established, best practices were shared with colleagues from NEOLAiA alliance universities, and possibilities for partner representatives’ visits to Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution were discussed. Representatives of the College also explored potential opportunities for expanding cooperation in student exchange programmes with representatives of the International Relations Office of the University of Tours.
Following the training, staff members of Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution joined the NEOLAiA alliance Academic Support Staff network, which will help ensure the continuity of the connections established during the programme and promote active exchange of experience among staff of NEOLAiA alliance institutions. The week was intensive yet full of inspiring experiences – new knowledge was gained, professional competencies were strengthened, and meaningful professional connections were established.
