From 27 to 29 April 2026, a bilateral visit within the KreativEU alliance brought inspiring meetings, experience-sharing, and concrete outcomes for the further development of international cooperation. The program was actively participated in by colleagues from the Rector's Office, the International and Student Affairs Offices, and the Internal Evaluation Departments of two faculties, who led intensive discussions on the functioning of alliances, internationalization, and support for academic mobility.
A significant part of the program consisted of a visit to CEITEC MUNI in Brno, which serves as the coordinator of the prestigious Alliance4Life initiative. This alliance, bringing together leading life sciences institutions from Central and Eastern European countries, has long served as an example of good practice, particularly in research management, researcher career development, and research ethics. Discussions with colleagues from Alliance4Life focused primarily on sharing best practices, organizing international mobilities, and developing international collaborations as tools for strengthening institutional visibility and establishing new partnerships.
The subsequent visit to the Department of External Relations and Cooperation at Trnava University in Trnava enabled further deepening of the dialogue at an inter-institutional level. Discussions here focused on the possibilities of joint study programs, coordination of teaching in an international environment, and the development of joint activities. A significant topic was also the support of student and staff exchange stays, where concrete steps were identified to facilitate their organization and increase their attractiveness. Attention was also paid to the so-called BIPs (Blended Intensive Programs), which represent an innovative form of short-term mobility combining online and in-person teaching. The participants agreed on their high potential for developing flexible educational formats and strengthening the involvement of students and academics in international activities.
The entire meeting took place in a very positive atmosphere, which encouraged open communication and the exploration of new opportunities. The results include not only inspiring ideas but also concrete agreements on future cooperation — ranging from organizing joint events to participating in upcoming conferences and educational activities.
Prof. Mgr. Ivana Kutá Smatanová, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Internal Evaluation and International Relations at the Faculty of Science, USB: "The bilateral visit thus unequivocally confirmed the importance of strategically interconnecting alliances and provided a strong impetus for the further development of activities within KreativEU."
