ASPIRA University of Applied Sciences in Split, Croatia continues with the Internationalization at Home trend in the world of international relations in higher education. For the first time we have organized Erasmus+ blended intensive programme – BIP, called “Current Trends in Event Industry” in period from April 8th to April 12th with mandatory online part that took place March 27th 2024.
The main goal was to familiarize the participants with current trends in event industry related to sustainability of events and get an insight on how events are organized in hotels vs farm houses.
By connecting 4 modern concepts of business development (digital transformation, sustainable development, digital technologies and managing the organization and business processes to implement change) and using creative and modern methods of teaching and learning, the stated goal was achieved.
Thirty visiting students were organized into international and multidisciplinary teams to work on various tasks, case analyses, and projects as a team. The onsite part of the intensive program was held at the Aspira University of Applied Sciences in Split, Croatia. During the Welcome Meeting, our Dean, Mr. Alen Jerkunica as well as our Vice-Dean for International Relations, Ms. Petra Mandac wished all students warm welcome and invited them to use all the opportunities that Erasmus+ has to offer. This week, students continued to work in teams, with interactive workshops and lectures provided by our lecturers Ms. Matija Tresić Škara and Mr. Josip Radić to compliment online knowledge with creative live teamwork. As a part of the week, students had a chance to visit hotel Ambasador and hear from the first hand how it looks a like to organize event in 5 star hotel and. Moreover, students visited OPG Farm House in Brštanovo who are hosting events completely different than hotel Ambasador. As a result, students carried out “Sustainable event” which they had to pitch in front of jury members consisted of our and guest lecturers. Nevertheless, students gave some ideas to our hosts during the field trips on the implementation of the new events in their premises.
In addition to Aspira University of Applied Sciences, Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Germany, Lusofona University Porto, Portugal, Schloss Seeburg University, Salzburg, Austria, Vocational College Bled, Slovenia as well as Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, Celje, Slovenia were also involved in the implementation. Feedback from the participants was extremely positive, motivating the teachers to continue their collaboration and apply again next year. Thus, our students will once again be able to apply to participate in this program.
