Students from the Institute of Environmental Engineering actively participated in an international Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) entitled 'Sustainable and Eco-friendly Communities: A Blueprint for the Future'. This initiative was carried out in cooperation with Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM, Germany) and LAB University of Applied Sciences (Finland). It combined online classes from 12–14 May 2025 with short-term physical mobility from 21–26 September 2025.
During the online sessions, participants learnt the fundamentals of the project, attended thematic lectures and completed individual tasks to prepare for teamwork during the intensive week. Students were tasked with collecting examples of solutions and innovations from their own countries, as well as preliminary data on the location assigned to their project group.
During the on-site part of the programme, the students were divided into international teams according to the following themes: Sustainable Logistics, Waste Management and Local Reuse, Zero-Emission and Resilient Electricity, Modular and Sustainable Buildings (Scalability) and Good Living Environment Factors.
Working in teams, participants combined the results of their individual tasks, analysed local data, and evaluated potential solutions in terms of their respective advantages and limitations. The outcome of this collaboration was the development of a preliminary thematic concept, which was presented alongside a summary on the final day of the intensive week. During the design process, participants aimed to achieve goals such as sustainability, resilience, modularity, the local reuse of materials, the scalability of solutions and the creation of high-quality living environments. Key tools and strategies included digitalisation (smart cities), design, collaboration, innovation and development.
Alongside their project work, the students took part in workshops, expert lectures, and study visits. They explored the Friedberg university campus, met Friedberg's mayor, Kjetil Dahlhaus, and discovered the city's history on a guided tour. As part of the additional programme, they attended a guest lecture by Tapio Vehmas, CEO of Carbonaide, and visited the Rinn Beton- und Naturstein GmbH & Co. KG production plant in Heuchelheim.
Cooperation with THM and LAB University of Applied Sciences enabled the exchange of experiences, comparison of models for implementing pro-environmental solutions, and development of specialist competences in an international context. The participation of UZ students in the programme is an example of effective internationalisation of education, practical application of subject-specific knowledge and implementation of the 2030 Agenda goals in the area of education and sustainable development.
Jakub Kostecki
