As part of the Erasmus+ programme, Welcome Office Coordinator Estelle Kosnansky and Andrea Miškocová, Coordinator of the EURAXESS Centre, participated in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Staff Week hosted by Palacký University Olomouc from 18–22 May 2026. Prior to the on-site mobility, they completed the virtual component of the programme, which enabled participants to get acquainted with one another and prepare the topics and contributions they wished to present during the in-person meeting.

The mobility brought together representatives from universities across Europe, including the University of Porto (Portugal), Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania), PSL Research University (France), Abat Oliba CEU University (Spain), University of Piraeus (Greece), Riga Technical University (Latvia), University of Crete (Greece), Aix-Marseille University (France), University of Helsinki (Finland), Université de Poitiers (France), Université Clermont Auvergne (France), Université Paris Cité (France), University of Oulu (Finland), and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany).

The programme was enriching from the very first day and struck an excellent balance between professional development, networking, and cultural exchange. On the first day, participants were introduced to the activities of Palacký University’s Welcome Office, which presented examples of services provided to international students, researchers, and staff. The host institution also offered an engaging introduction to Czech culture through presentations on traditional cuisine, useful expressions, and cultural symbols. In the afternoon, participants exchanged examples of good practice from their respective institutions, followed by a guided tour of the historic centre of Olomouc.

The second day focused on the importance of well-being in service provision. Palacký University introduced tools and practices aimed at supporting staff resilience, including meditation and relaxation techniques. The afternoon sessions provided practical communication training, with a particular emphasis on empathy, discretion, and effective support for diverse target groups.

The third day explored the role of the university ombudsman in higher education and addressed ways of responding appropriately to discriminatory situations. The day concluded with an intercultural visit to the famous Olomouc cheese factory, where participants gained insight into the production of the region’s traditional delicacy, Olomoucké tvarůžky.

Thursday’s programme opened with a presentation by a representative of the CATRIN research centre, who introduced the centre’s support services for international researchers. This was followed by a presentation from the Vice-Rector for Strategy, who introduced the university’s “Up to the Future” initiative, aimed at strengthening the university’s role across the public sector and enhancing the communication of science and research to society.

The final day focused on lifelong learning opportunities for university staff and provided space for exchanging contacts and discussing future collaboration opportunities among participants.

The event was organised to a very high standard, and its friendly, informal atmosphere created an excellent environment for networking, sharing experiences, and establishing future international partnerships.