From May 5 to 9, 2025, Mykolas Romeris University hosted the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Activating Physical Activity of the Population through Public-Private Partnerships”. The programme’s content was developed and the activities coordinated by Professor Dr. Vilma Čingienė from the Institute of Management and Political Science at the Faculty of Public Governance and Business.
This interdisciplinary programme brought together master’s students studying sport industries, sport studies, public administration, management, and political science from seven foreign partner universities. The participating institutions included the University of Jyväskylä (Republic of Finland), the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio (Italian Republic), the Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw (Republic of Poland), the Rīga Stradiņš University – Latvian Academy of Sport Education (Republic of Latvia), the Democritus University of Thrace (Hellenic Republic), and KU Leuven – Catholic University of Leuven (Kingdom of Belgium). Erasmus Mundus international master's students also took part in the programme.
The academic part of the programme focused on exploring cross-sectoral solutions in the field of physical activity, with particular emphasis on analysing the international sports industry market. Participants examined the specifics of the sports and physical activity market, global trends, operational principles of the sector, and the opportunities for promoting physical activity through public-private partnerships.
In addition to lectures and discussions, students actively participated in group work, a quiz competition, a Hackathon, and developed project-based solutions tailored to the context of their countries and various population groups.
Each day concluded with physical activity sessions organized by the Health and Sports Division of the Community Wellbeing Centre at Mykolas Romeris University.
On May 6, participants visited the Contemporary Art Centre in Vilnius for a guided tour of the exhibition “Augustas Serapinas. Physical Culture.” Later that day, they took part in an interactive movement session led by Justas Kučinskas – multiple-time Lithuanian Latin Dance Champion, European Vice-Champion, World Championship finalist, and founder of the movement school “Movement Vilnius.” The session encouraged a creative approach to movement and its integration into everyday life.
On May 7, students joined an educational and cultural excursion to Trakai, where they explored the town and participated in a rowing session at the Trakai Sports Base. Due to weather conditions, rowing on Lake Galvė was replaced with indoor group competitions using “Concept” rowing machines.
The intensive programme concluded on May 9 with a festive closing event. Participants were awarded certificates, the distinguished jury announced the winning Hackathon teams and presented awards, and the celebration ended with a shared meal and a ceremonial cake.
This BIP programme stands as an excellent example of how international and interdisciplinary academic cooperation can foster cross-sectoral dialogue, promote student internationalization, and address public health challenges through inclusive, practice-oriented activities.
