Blended Intensive Programme 2025

Missing Student Competences – A Challenge for the Future of Education

From 20 to 24 October 2025, the University of Novo mesto hosted an international Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) within the Erasmus+ framework, titled "Missing Student Competences – A Challenge for the Future of Education." The programme brought together students and lecturers from Slovenia, Portugal, Croatia and Bulgaria, who jointly explored competence gaps among students from various disciplines in the fields of health and well-being, and discussed how these competences could be more effectively integrated into higher education.

During the five-day programme, participants acquired new knowledge in the areas of critical thinking, communication and intercultural skills, sustainable development, digital competences and the use of artificial intelligence. The work was conducted in interdisciplinary groups, which also carried out a qualitative study involving students and stakeholders from the participating countries. The results revealed significant differences in the level of competence development, particularly in the areas of interdisciplinary collaboration, digital literacy and practical experience.

A special value of the programme lay in the international cooperation and exchange of good practices between faculties from different professional fields—from health and technology to business studies and law. After the on-site part of the programme, the work continued online, where students in international teams analysed the research results, exchanged experiences and prepared their final contributions. These contributions, developed with the support of mentors, were presented at the international scientific conference of the University of Novo mesto Faculty of Health Sciences, "Holistic Approach to the Patient," held on 21 November 2025.

Five international and interdisciplinary student groups presented research papers at the conference, addressing the identification of competence gaps in the field of health and well-being. Their contributions focused on the following key areas:

• critical thinking and innovation,
• communication and intercultural competences,
• digital competences and the use of artificial intelligence,
• stress management and personal resilience,
• sustainability and the green transition.

The presentations once again demonstrated the remarkable level of collaboration among students from different countries and disciplines and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing the challenges of modern health and well-being.

The programme was highly successful. Through the BIP, students acquired numerous key competences—from scientific research, communication, digital and intercultural skills to those related to critical thinking, teamwork and international cooperation.

We extend our sincere thanks to all students for their excellent work, and to the mentors and lecturers for their expertise, support and dedication, which significantly contributed to the successful implementation of the programme.