Enhancing intercultural competence for global management: Historic gathering in Opole

From December 1 to 5, 2025, the University of Opole will host the practical phase of an innovative intercultural management programme, marking a historic milestone for the BIP project. Following the completion of the virtual teaching component between November 3–25, 2025, all participants will gather in Opole for hands-on learning—the first in-person event of this scale, with over 60 students participating. Since BIP’s launch in 2020, funded by Erasmus+, this edition represents the largest gathering ever hosted by any partner university in this format.

Through this initiative, the University of Opole has developed two new EU partnerships with Hochschule Mittweida, University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Romania, further strengthening its international collaboration and impact.

This year, the programme brings together over 60 students, making it the largest gathering in the project’s history. While BIP normally requires a minimum of five students per partner university, this edition sees 15 to 26 participants per institution, reflecting the growing interest and significance of the program.

Through a blended format combining online preparation with intensive in-person sessions, participants acquire both theoretical and practical insights into leadership, decision-making, and sustainable business strategies. The program enhances intercultural competence, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills, equipping students to engage responsibly and effectively in the global economy.

The project has been initiated and coordinated by Dr Pradeep Kumar, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Philology, University of Opole, Poland, and Professor for International Entrepreneurship & Economics (visiting professor) at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Hochschule Mittweida, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr Kumar is currently engaged with the transformative initiative “Internationalization of German Universities: Strategic Communication for International Business and Sustainable Educational Development (STRATCOMM)”, building on the success of the precursor project Economic Issues in International Context (EIIC), funded by DAAD in 2024/25.

Partner Universities and Project Leaders

1. Faculty of Philology, University of Opole – Host University

Project Leaders:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr Elżbieta Szymańska-Czaplak, Dean of the Faculty of Philology, University of Opole, Poland
• Dr Pradeep Kumar, Faculty of Philology, University of Opole, Poland; Visiting Professor, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Hochschule Mittweida, University of Applied Sciences, Germany
• Dominika Gmroth, Office for Research and Project Management, Erasmus+ Programme, University of Opole, Poland

2. Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Hochschule Mittweida, University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Project Leaders:

• Prof. Dr rer. oec. Serge Velesco, Educational Dean, Cooperation Degree Programs, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Hochschule Mittweida, Germany
• Prof. Dr  Pradeep Kumar, Visiting Professor, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Hochschule Mittweida, University of Applied Sciences, Germany

3. “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Romania

Project Leader(s):

Academic

• Assoc. Prof. Dr Ecaterina Daniela Zeca, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Romania

Project coordinators

• Tatiana Cojan, Erasmus coordinator, University of Galati, Romania
• Dr  Andreea Raluca CHIRIAC, Faculty of Engineering and Agronomy in Brăila, University of Galati, Romania
• Dr  Mitica AFTENI, Faculty of Engineering, University of Galati, Romania
• Elena BUJOR, Communications and PR Department, University of Galati, Romania

This unique gathering underscores the University of Opole’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and developing future leaders with the essential skills required to thrive in today’s interconnected professional world.

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BIP AGENDA