DkIT Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme at VIVES University of Applied Sciences, Belgium

The programme commenced with introductions and dynamic icebreaker activities, fostering a welcoming atmosphere where participants could connect before diving into group work. Once settled into their collaborative teams, students received a comprehensive project brief detailing key rules and expectations—laying the groundwork for creative exploration and strategic thinking. 

The programme theme, “Solutions towards a healthy and ageing society,” challenged students to address one of the most pressing issues of our time. Their objective was to design and develop digital tools or solutions capable of making a meaningful contribution to this cause. As they worked through the challenge, teams were encouraged to consider a broad spectrum of factors—from identifying relevant business applications and real-world use cases, to conducting SWOT analyses to guide their strategic direction. Legal and data privacy concerns were also key components, alongside thoughtful stakeholder engagement and feedback. Usability and accessibility remained central to the design process, with many teams exploring gamification as a way to boost user interaction and long-term engagement.

Over the course of the Blended Intensive Programme, participants brought their ideas to life, developing working prototypes that reflected both creativity and practical insight. Their efforts culminated in two major presentations: an initial pitch to introduce their concept and a final showcase to demonstrate the evolution of their solution and its potential impact.

The students’ commitment and collaborative spirit were remarkable, especially given that many were meeting for the first time. To help ease the intensity of the challenge and encourage connection, the programme included several social activities designed to build camaraderie. Monday evening featured a lively treasure hunt through the streets of Kortrijk, offering participants a chance to discover the city hosting this year’s Erasmus BIP while bonding with their teammates. Midweek, the group ventured to Avenco, an outdoor adventure park, where they took part in a survival-themed experience. From constructing bridges and lighting fires to axe throwing, the activities were both playful and team-driven, creating space for laughter, shared effort, and lasting friendships.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participating students and express our gratitude to the Belgian lecturers Arne Vandenbussche and Ilse Wyffels, French lecturer Daran Harris, and DKIT's Michael Connolly for their invaluable contributions to making this project a success. Special thanks also go to Noreen Carney, International Office Manager at DkIT and to Martin McHugh, head of the Visual and Human Centered Computing Department. 

We appreciate Derek O’Reilly for his mentoring support and Andrea Kealy, Convener for Software Development for supporting this enriching experience.