Getting to know the teaching and research base, establishing contacts with staff, presenting study programmes, teaching methods and exchanging teaching experiences – these are the main objectives of the visit of the staff of Vincent Pol University to the Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) in Barcelos, Portugal.
The trip, organised as part of the Erasmus+ programme from 28-30 May 2024, was attended by Prof. Rafał Nadulski and Dr Anna Nadulska, Prof. at VPU from the VPU Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Dr Marian Przylepa, Prof. at VPU, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
“The main purpose of the trip was to learn about the teaching and research base, organisation and functioning of the Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave (IPCA), to meet and establish contacts with the teaching and research staff of the Higher School of Hotel and Tourism Management (ESHT). In addition, presentation of study programmes, teaching methods and exchange of experience in the field of didactics, promotion of our university, discussion of the possibilities of cooperation in the future, also in terms of the Erasmus+ programme, as well as an invitation to participate in scientific conferences organised by our university”, reports Prof. Rafał Nadulski.
The Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave has a high-tech robotics laboratory focused on bionics and computer-aided medical diagnostics. The Portuguese polytechnic places a strong emphasis on sustainability issues, as exemplified by the modern design solutions of ongoing developments on campus.
A delegation from our University met on site with Prof. Maria Alexandra Pereira da Silva Malheiro, Director of the Higher School of Hotel and Tourism Management (ESHT), Prof. Francisco Joaquim Barbosa Gonçalves, Higher School of Hotel and Tourism Management (ESHT), and Angelo Carvalho, Director of the International Exchange Office.
During the meeting with the representatives of the International Exchange Office., the partners presented their polytechnic and the area of teaching activities and research areas, while our delegation presented the study programme and offer of Vincent Pol University. In addition, during a meeting with Professor Alexandra Malheiro and the teaching team at the Higher School of Hotel and Tourism Management (ESHT), representatives of our university had the opportunity to visit the studios and laboratories, including the laboratories for hospitality classes.
During the meetings in Portugal, both parties expressed their willingness to continue cooperation in terms of student and teaching staff exchanges, and discussed the possibilities of scientific and teaching cooperation.
Employees of the Portuguese polytechnic were also invited to visit our university and participate in the conference ‘Modern Trends in the Horeca Industry’, which will be held within the walls of Vincent Pol University in October.
This was another inspiring trip as part of the Erasmus+ programme.
