BIP: What Does It Take to Build a Smart Community?

The new Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027) introduces new Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) as alternative mobility for students and staff. In March and April 2022, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, (VILNIUS TECH) organises a 3 ECTS "Smart Community" BIP for students in cooperation with the ATHENA partner universities.

BIP combines short-term physical mobility with a virtual component and makes the Erasmus mobility more flexible. Students who participate in BIP can maintain their study plans at their home institution and include BIP as a parallel activity. Short-term online and physical mobility (one week online and one week at VILNIUS TECH) will constitute the only period outside their home institution. Therefore, students should credit the BIP to their study plans, as in the case of traditional Erasmus mobility.

The invitation letter from VILNIUS TECH can be found here.

Contents

The programme provides students with a basic understanding of the Smart Community and Smart city. Students during the programme will develop the skills to identify and define the topic-related issue, formulate the objectives, goals and hypothesise, collect and analyse data, summarise the results, and interpret them in developing conclusions and design. Students may also approach the preferential target groups, their features, and preferences, along with hands-on work.

A detailed overview of the contents can be found in the event timetable.

Calendar

Virtual event: starting 14 March 2022, ending 21 March 2022 (online)

Physical event: starting 28 March 2022, ending 1 April 2022 in Vilnius, Lithuania

Students can apply until 1 March 2022 by sending an email to Ms. Merle Bollmann, merle.bollmann@uni-siegen.de. The maximum number of participants of BIP is limited to 25. All applicants will receive the information on admission to the course before 10 March 2022.

Information and support

Accommodation and travel costs for the physical event in Vilnius are covered by participants. VILNIUS TECH recommends accommodation with a discount at the IBIS Vilnius Centre hotel (Rinktines str. 18, 9322 Vilnius, Lithuania). Students will receive a support for physical mobility of 70 Euro per day. Students with fewer opportunities may receive travel support. Students who do not receive travel support can opt for green travel. In this case, they will receive a single contribution of 50 Euro as a top-up amount to the individual support and up to 4 days of additional individual support to cover travel days for a return trip, if relevant.

Booking via e-mail: HA1J1-FO3@accor.com providing a discount code "Smart Communities". Smart Community” BIP participants the hotel offers special prices:  42 Euro per person and 50 Euro for two persons. Prices include breakfast, VAT, internet. Please note that city tax is not included.

The International Office of the University of Siegen provides further information and support to students for physical mobility. Please contact Ms. Madita Steffens, madita.steffens@zv.uni-siegen.de.

Contact person at VILNIUS TECH is Dr Skirmantė Mozūriūnaitė, Associate Professor at the Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Architecture at VILNIUS TECH, skirmante.mozuriunaite@vilniustech.lt.