ENLIGHT - BIP
BIP Projects within the ENLIGHT Alliance
The Institute of Medical Terminology and Foreign Languages of the Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava regularly participates in inter-university Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) projects within the ENLIGHT university alliance. These intensive, project-oriented courses bring together students from partner universities through a combination of online meetings and an in-person symposium. Students explore fundamental global topics such as sustainability, innovation, and equality, and develop skills in critical thinking, presentation, and intercultural communication.
PLANNED
2026 — Developing Critical Thinking via Global Teamwork and Presentation
(October 2026 – December 2026)
The fourth edition will take place with a renewed set of partner universities — with the University of the Basque Country joining the collaboration for the first time. The on-site symposium is planned at the University of Göttingen (30 November – 5 December 2026). The course continues to build on the well-established format of TED-Talk style presentations and international team collaboration, with a focus on critical thinking in the context of current global topics.
Participating universities:
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- University of the Basque Country
- Comenius University Bratislava
Team members:
- Dr. Laura Syms — University of Göttingen
- Dr. Smita Raman-Gyetvai — University of Göttingen
- PaedDr. PhDr. Tomáš Hamar, PhD, MBA — Comenius University Bratislava
- RNDr. PaedDr. Stanislav Kováč, PhD — Comenius University Bratislava
- Agurtzane Azkarai Garai, PhD — University of the Basque Country
- Asier Calzada Lizarraga, PhD — University of the Basque Country
COMPLETED
2025 — Fostering Critical Thinking via Global Collaboration & Presentation
(October 2025 – December 2025)
The third edition was hosted by the Université de Bordeaux, with the on-site component taking place from 1 to 6 December 2025. Approximately 30 students and faculty members from four European universities (Bratislava, Bordeaux, Göttingen, and Tartu) took part. In addition to the academic programme, participants enjoyed cultural activities and guided tours of the city. Students highlighted the course as an exceptional opportunity for language development, international collaboration, and personal growth.
Participating universities:
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- Université de Bordeaux
- Comenius University Bratislava
Team members:
- Dr. Johann Fischer — University of Göttingen
- Dr. Laura Syms — University of Göttingen
- Dr. Smita Raman-Gyetvai — University of Göttingen
- PhDr. Tomáš Hamar, PhD — Comenius University Bratislava
- PaedDr. Stanislav Kováč, PhD — Comenius University Bratislava
- Dr. Youssef Benzoubair — Université de Bordeaux
- Dr. Alexandra Reynolds — Université de Bordeaux
- Dr. Joanne Plaskett — Université de Bordeaux
2024 — Fostering Critical Thinking Skills
(October 2024 – December 2024)
The second edition built on the success of the previous BIP project, with the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University Bratislava serving as the host. The on-site symposium took place from 25 to 30 November 2024. The course retained its project-based format with an emphasis on the so-called 4C skills — critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity — while incorporating elements of challenge-based education. Each partner university welcomed up to 10 students to participate
Participating universities:
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- Université de Bordeaux
- Comenius University Bratislava
Team members:
- Dr. Johann Fischer — University of Göttingen
- Dr. Laura Syms — University of Göttingen
- Dr. Smita Raman-Gyetvai — University of Göttingen
- PhDr. Tomáš Hamar, PhD — Comenius University Bratislava
- PaedDr. Stanislav Kováč, PhD — Comenius University Bratislava
- Dr. Youssef Benzoubair — Université de Bordeaux
- Dr. Alexandra Reynolds — Université de Bordeaux
- Dr. Joanne Plaskett — Université de Bordeaux
2023 — Fostering Effective Online Oral Communication and Critical Thinking Skills
(October 2023 – December 2023)
The first edition of the programme took place in a blended format: an online phase running from October to December 2023, followed by an on-site symposium at the University of Göttingen (4 – 10 December 2023). Students from three partner universities collaboratively analysed global topics of their own choice and presented their findings in a TED-Talk style speech. The course focused on developing critical thinking, online communication, and intercultural competences.
Participating universities:
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- Université de Bordeaux
- Comenius University Bratislava
Team members:
- Dr. Johann Fischer — University of Göttingen
- Dr. Laura Syms — University of Göttingen
- Dr. Smita Raman-Gyetvai — University of Göttingen
- PhDr. Tomáš Hamar, PhD — Comenius University Bratislava
- PaedDr. Stanislav Kováč, PhD — Comenius University Bratislava
- Dr. Youssef Benzoubair — Université de Bordeaux
- Dr. Alexandra Reynolds — Université de Bordeaux
- Dr. Joanne Plaskett — Université de Bordeaux
