From 22 to 26 June 2026, the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Globalization Processes and Global Skills was held at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJŠ). The event was organized by UPJŠ in cooperation with partner universities from the Aurora Alliance – Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic), Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Spain), and University of Naples Federico II (Italy).
The programme brought together students and academics from the partner universities, who spent an intensive week discussing current issues related to globalization, its impact on society and public administration, as well as the challenges associated with these developments.
The academic coordinator of the programme was Vice-Rector for Internationalization, Associate Professor Silvia Ručinská. Together with her colleagues from the Faculty of Public Administration, Michaela Lukačínová and Ondrej Mitaľ, she prepared a programme consisting of expert lectures, interactive workshops, group activities, and discussions focused on globalization and the development of global skills and competencies. Alžbeta Sniežko from the Faculty of Arts of UPJŠ coordinated workshop activities dedicated to globalization and environmental sustainability. Juraj Girman, Chairman of the Board of Košice IT Valley, introduced participants to current changes in the labour market and led a discussion on the competencies that will be essential for future generations of graduates. The programme was further enriched by activities organized by the Aurora Student Council under the leadership of ASC President Simona Gibalová. These activities fostered cooperation among participants and provided opportunities to share experiences related to student life and international collaboration.
The academic programme of the BIP also benefited significantly from the contributions of international experts Niels Hexspoor from Palacký University Olomouc and Ferran Mañé Vernet from Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Through their lectures and discussions, they strengthened the international dimension of the event and provided participants with valuable insights from their research and professional practice. Working in multicultural and interdisciplinary teams enabled students to develop communication skills, critical thinking, teamwork, and the ability to respond effectively to global societal challenges.
In addition to the academic programme, students had the opportunity to explore the city of Košice, its history, and its cultural heritage. A guided city tour, a visit to the UPJŠ Botanical Garden, and informal social activities created a welcoming environment for networking, exchanging experiences, and building new friendships among students from different countries.
The successful implementation of the Globalization Processes and Global Skills programme once again confirmed the importance of international cooperation in higher education and its contribution to the development of students’ professional, linguistic, and intercultural competencies. By organizing this event, UPJŠ continues to fulfil the objectives of the Internationalisation Strategy of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice for the period 2023–2027.
