Forty-five students - including eight master's students from our Faculty (seven students from Poland and one student from India), together with colleagues from Portugal and Latvia, as well as other non-European countries such as Angola, Brazil, India, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Iran - participated in the Erasmus BIP (Blended Intensive Program), entitled “International Forum on Governance, Information Systems management and Industry 4.0.” The program was coordinated by the Technical University of Cartagena (Spain), and prepared by Prof. Antonio Guerrero of the Technical University of Cartagena, Prof. Pedro Anunciação of the Technical University of Setubal (Portugal), Prof. Vitālijs Beresņevičs of the Technical University of Riga (Latvia) and Prof. Dorota Kuchta of our Department.

The program began on January 8 and will end on May 31, 2024, and included remote lectures (on Industry 4.0, governance, artificial intelligence, or contemporary challenges of project management) and a week-long stay in Cartagena from March 18-25. In Cartagena, participants had the opportunity to visit innovative startups using the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, and large local industrial plants. Students worked in groups on a given project.

The Polish students were tasked with proposing two innovative projects for Frumecar, a manufacturer of concrete mixers for customers around the world. Before leaving for Spain, they had a two-hour remote meeting with the research director, and on site they had the opportunity to tour the company and ask additional questions. The hospitality and great commitment of the host, Prof. Antonio Guerrero, made the stay exceptionally successful and highly varied. In addition to visits to companies, participants were invited to City Hall, where they were greeted by city authorities and local business representatives. A course on drone use and 3D printing was prepared. The professor planned his stay to coincide with the start of Holy Week, which is celebrated with particular festivity in Spain. He also asked a local guide to show the city. As a result, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the local culture and history - extremely rich and interesting, and little known in Poland. And to the host and the other participants of the program, thanks to whom the stay was very fruitful and passed in an extremely pleasant atmosphere, we extend a hearty ¡Muchas gracias!