The INVEST Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for Staff and Students took place from 9–13 March 2026 in Joensuu, Finland 🇫🇮, hosted by Karelia University of Applied Sciences.
Around 30 staff members and Student Board representatives from across the INVEST Alliance gathered for the programme “From Blueprint to Action – Co-creating INVEST Mobility, Promotion and Student Involvement.” The BIP was specifically aimed at INVEST staff involved in the Mobility Service Point and PR Group, with the goal of developing shared strategies and strengthening cooperation within the alliance.
Among the participants, the University of Milano-Bicocca also took an active part with two staff members involved in Work Packages 3 and 7 (in the tasks dedicated to the Mobility Service Point and the PR Team), and two students, members of the INVEST Student Board.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in a dynamic mix of workshops, presentations, and collaborative sessions focused on transforming strategic ideas into concrete actions. Key topics included blended, physical, and virtual mobility, joint programmes, communication strategies, and student engagement. Dedicated working tracks for Mobility Service Points, PR teams, and the Student Board allowed for targeted discussions on challenges, best practices, and future opportunities.
The programme combined practical working sessions—such as developing joint promotion strategies, improving visibility of mobility opportunities, and proposing new approaches to student involvement—with interactive activities, including campus tours, cultural experiences, and informal networking moments that strengthened collaboration across institutions.
By the end of the week, participants had co-created a set of actionable proposals to enhance INVEST mobility frameworks, improve alliance-wide communication, and foster stronger student participation. The BIP in Joensuu not only advanced concrete outputs for ongoing work packages but also reinforced connections and shared commitment within the INVEST Alliance, supporting future joint initiatives.
