TIME FOR NEW PERSPECTIVES

Let’s explore new geographical horizons regarding internships, and gain new insights about virtual internships, future-oriented skills, and inclusion on the work floor. Let’s learn why the mental balance of interns is important as well as for ourselves.
Discover the role of regional traineeship mobility consortia and how we want to interconnect them.

Bratislava, 19-21 April, 2023

Contact:
LEO-NET secretariat   –    info@leo-net.org   –   +31402474336 / +31651541168

Host:
Workspace Europe – Coordinator of Slovak Consortium of Universities for Erasmus+ traineeships

Venue:
Falkensteiner Hotel Bratislava
Pilárikova ulica 5
SK-811 03 Bratislava
Tel +421 2 2101196 0

Pre-seminar activities

April 19

• 15:00: Comenius University Bratislava , an example of a Slovak traditional state university

A tour of the biggest and oldest state University in Slovakia with a brief presentation of their international activities.

Location:  Šafárikovo námestie 6, 814 99, Bratislava

• 16:00: Bratislava School of Liberal Arts , an example of a Slovak modern/innovative private university

A tour of a small modern private University representing the new/innovative ways of higher education with a brief presentation of their international activities.

Location: Grösslingová 53, 811 09, Bratislava

• 20:00: Meet & Greet your trainees

Participants can invite their trainees, who are at that moment in Bratislava or nearby, for a drink offered by LEO-NET and listen to their traineeship experiences.

Location: Kolkovna Eurovea, Pribinova 8, 811 09 Bratislava.

Seminar programme

April 20

09:00 – 09:30 Registration

09:30 – 10:00: Opening seminar

• Welcome by Karol Ovesný, Workspace Europe (Slovakia)
• Introduction to the seminar by the LEO-NET Board

 10:00 – 11:00: Why going for a traineeship in Slovakia & the Central and Eastern European region.

• Mrs. Anastasiia Shevchenko, Placement Slovakia porgramme (Slovakia)
  
• Mr. Sergio Molla Garcia, foreign trainee in Slovakia (Spain)
  

Let us explore the several aspects why Slovakia is an interesting destination for your students to go on traineeships and gain professional skills and an unforgettable life experience. The session will include examples of successful stories as well as peculiarities of going for traineeships in Central & Eastern Europe from the point of view from both the host companies as foreign trainees.

11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break

11:30 – 12:30:  Virtual Internship Academy – a new EU supported project to help Students, Host organisations and Universities introduce, manage and successfully complete Virtual Internships.

• Karol Ovesný, Workspace Europe (Slovakia)
• John David, Amnick Social Enterprise (UK)

Within this session the new recently completed project of 6 partner organisations, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union in the area of digital education will be introduced. The Virtual Internship Academy offers students, companies and universities a free access to online course learning modules in the area of virtual internships and remote work. These modules are specifically prepared by professionals in the field to provide necessary knowledge and basic peculiarities about remote work, management and completion of virtual internships.

12:30 – 13:15: Competence Pass – a compass for development of future skills during an Erasmus traineeship abroad?

• Thomas Berger, Institut inter.research e.V. (Germany)

Let us explore how online reflective practice can support students’ future skills development during a traineeship abroad. The Competence Pass (CP) developed and piloted by our consortium, the Network for Erasmus-Traineeships and University Business Coop., will be introduced and discussed as a tool for developing students’ competences through reflection. You will leave the session with a copy of CP which you can adapt to your needs in order to empower your students’ future skills development.

13:15 – 14:15: lunch

14:15 – 15:45: How to set your goals

• Martina Vysluzilova, Transformational Coach (Spain)

How to set your goals so that you avoid a burnout, broken relationships, bad health and financial and emotional bankruptcy? Designed to challenge you to master yourself, this interactive presentation will provide you with the opportunity to learn the latest discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics and quantum physics and deepen your understanding of how you create your reality with your mind through your choices. In 90 min of theory and practice you will learn HOW TO SET YOUR GOALS to create success with your wealth, health, love or fulfillment without struggle and elevate your life to what you now might consider impossible.

15:45 – 16:15: coffee break

16:15 – 17:00: LEO-NET member meeting

18:30 – 21:30: Cooking workshop/dinner at THE NOOK Restaurant

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April 21

09:30 – 10:30: Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027: state of art

• Johannes Gehringer, European Commission, DG Education, Youth, Sport & Culture / Higher Education (Belgium)

Mr. Gehringer will present the state of art of the present Erasmus+ Programme, especially for traineeship mobility. After a few years we have experienced the improvements and challenges. This session is a great opportunity for discussion and Q&A’s.

10:30 – 11:00: Coffee break

11:00 – 12:00: The importance of the well-being of trainees

• Patricia Burssens, Ghent University (Belgium)

Being a student is more than just studying. The time students spend in higher education involves integral personal development. Studying offers opportunities, but also many personal challenges. An internship is a learning situation that may bring additional incentives and challenges, also for young graduates. The session will give insight in the importance of prevention and detection of emotional coping by 18-24 year olds in the frame of public mental health care. Which role could there be for internship supervisors at early signal detection? How to respond if the supervisor’s ‘feelers’ tells that the trainee may be struggling with something? How to briefly engage with trainees; how & where to refer if the trainee needs help before, during, or after an internship.

The session includes also a presentation of good practices in Flanders (Belgium).

13:00 – 14:00: Lunch

14:00 – 15:00: Present trends in companies regarding inclusion of their staff

• Thomas Faltner, the President of IAESTE Global (Austria)

With several case studies this session will introduce several very different models how inclusion of staff as well as interns can be mastered from a company perspective and also give some ideas, how the education sector can be involved. In addition during a group exercise will put ourselves in the shoes of companies and try to find an approach how to become more inclusive.

As inclusion is a very wide aspect, the session will also give some background about the terminology and how different departments are connected to become more inclusive.

15:00 – 16:45: Erasmus+ Consortia

• Sophia Siegfried and Mrs. Susanne Friedemann, EU-Praktikum THURINGEN (Germany)
  In Germany, most of Erasmus+ SMPs are run within a consortium. This session will provide you with an overview of consortia work. Including the advantages in the application and organizational implementation as well as the status of a consortium within the state government. Also important is the position of a consortium towards its own National Agency. The presentation will show the possibilities of setting up and composing consortia as well as the advantages and disadvantages.
• LEO-NET board

2013 is the date of the former (paper) directory of mobility consortia. So now in 2023, it is due time for a thorough (online) update. The why, goal, and call for action to contribute to the search/identification of current consortia will be explained.

16:45 – 17:00: Wrap up & Closing

 

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Biography Speakers Seminar 2023

 

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Practical details

Please note:
Fees do not include accommodation and travel.

• For participants who decide to become an LEO-NET member at the time of their registration the seminar fee for LEO-NET members will be applicable
• Participants will receive a 20% reduction on their seminar fee if they bring along another colleague from their institution
• Registration deadline: April 12, 2023
  The seminar has a limited capacity of 50 people. Registrations will be handled upon order of receipt.
• Cancellation policy:
  Till April 12, 2023: € 50 for administrative costs

After April 12, 2023: no refund is applicable
No VAT is applicable.

Contact the local host for practical assistance: Ms. Anna Kurylo, email: anna1@workspaceeurope.sk Tel: +421950451339

Airports:

Vienna international airport (45 min from Bratislava, achievable by shuttle buses every hour)

Bratislava Airport

How to get to Bratislava? (in case you arrive at Vienna airport): Bus stops are right in front of the entrance of Arrivals. The trip takes around 45 minutes. Best to get off at the final station called Mlynské Nivy. (up to 30 min walking distance from the city center hotels)

Slovak Lines platform 4
Buy here https://www.slovaklines.sk/en/

Flixbus platform 2-6
Buy here https://global.flixbus.com

Regiojet platform 3
Buy here https://regiojet.com/

How to get to the meeting venue:
Walking distance from the city center. If you need further information about transportation in Bratislava please contact us.

https://goo.gl/maps/bWPKJg6fhbLQshQg7

 Hotels:

1. Falkensteiner Hotel Bratislava
   Address: Pilarikova 5, Bratislava

The hotels recommended below are situated in the city center, within short walking distance from the meeting venue:

2. Crowne Plaza 4****
   Address: Hodzovo Namestie 2, 21625 Bratislava
   Booking: +421 2 5934 8111 / reservation@cpbratislava.sk

3. AC hotel by Marriot 4****
   Address: Vysoka 2A, Bratislava
   Booking: +421 2 2002 0000 /

4. Radisson Blu Carlton 4****
   Address: Hviezdoslavovo namestie 3, Bratislava
   Booking: +421 2 5939 0500 / reservation.bratislava@radissonblu.com

5. Sheraton Bratislava Hotel 5*****
   Address: Prbinova 12, Bratislava
   Booking: +421 2 3535 0000

6. Loft Hotel Bratislava 4****
   Address: Stefanikova 4, Bratislava
   Booking: +421 2 5751 1003 / reservation@lofthotel.sk

7. Park Inn by Radisson Danube Bratislava 4****
   Address: Rybne namestie 1, Bratislava
   Booking: +421 2 5934 0000 / reservations.bratislava@parkinn.com

Shaping the New Normal : Time to Take Stock of Progress

Our 2021 seminar focused on the new Erasmus+ programme period in terms of traineeship mobilities, employability of students in a post-pandemic era, virtual traineeships, digital skills development, and new trends of University – Business collaboration, and more!

Thanks to everyone who joined us and the speakers for an interesting presentations.

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 Seminar Program

Date:	June 16-17, 2022
Venue:	Ghent University International Relations Office Het Pand – Onderbergen 1 9000 Gent Tel +32 (0)9 264 70 02
Contact:	info@leo-net.org +31 4 02 47 43 36 +31 6 51 54 11 68

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 PRE-SEMINAR ACTIVITY
JUNE 15^TH (20.00)

 

 

Meet & Greet your students and trainees
Participants can invite their students and trainees, who are at that moment in Ghent or nearby, for a drink offered by LEO-NET and listen to their traineeship experiences in the typical Ghent beer pub ‘De Dulle Griet’  http://www.dullegriet.be/nl/

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 JUNE 16^TH (09.00 – 21.30)

 

09:00 –09:30 – Registration

 

09.30 – 10.00: Opening seminar

•      Welcome by Mr. Frederik De Decker, Head of the UGhent International Relations Office
•      Introduction to the seminar by the LEO-NET Board

 

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10.00 – 11.00 – Impact of Erasmus+ placements on Higher Education
•       Mrs. Magda Kirsch (Educonsult)
During this session we will discuss the impact of Erasmus+ placements on the development of competences, further studies and professional careers of the VET and higher education participants. Special attention will be given to discerning variables such as the duration of the placement, the moment when the placement took place (during studies or as recent graduates) and the degree held by the participants. Lastly recommendations will be given to enhance the impact of placements. Some remarkable differences between E+ SMP placements and E+ placements for VET students will be briefly pointed out.

 

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11:00 – 11:30 – Coffee break

 

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11.30 – 12.30 – Quality Framework for Traineeships – what makes a good traineeship?
•       Mrs. Shui Beam Lam (European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion/Youth Employment)
Traineeships are a common way for young people to gain practical and professional experience before taking up regular jobs. However, various stakeholders have voiced concerns on working conditions of trainees. Therefore, the Commission is carrying out an evaluation of the 2014 Council Recommendation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships. The current quality framework lists 10 quality dimensions, which Mrs. Lam will explain. There will be time for an exchange of views on what a high quality traineeship entails, whether the current quality framework caters for this, and whether there are quality dimensions that may be missing.

 

12.30 – 13.00 – How Career Services, Career Development and Psychology Consultants join forces to boost the employability of 3^rd cycle students
•        Mrs. Fernanda Correia (University of Porto)
As an example of best practice Mrs. Correia will show how the Career Services of the faculties of the University of Porto together with the Career Development Unit and the Work Psychology Consulting Service started a programme capable of promoting the development of employability throughout the life of the students and graduates of the 3^rd cycle of studies. The programme is differentiating, including diversity, enhancing uniqueness and promoting the participants autonomy and power to act; while being agile and scalable.

 

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13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch

 

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14.00 – 14.45 – Creating a Network for Traineeships in Medical and Health Sciences
•        Mrs. Rosalyn Eder and Mr. Bruno Woeran (Paracelsus Medical university)
Based on experience, students in the field of medicine and other health sciences (broadly defined) face many challenges when looking and applying for traineeships abroad. In this session Mrs. Eger will discuss what these challenges are and possible ways how to overcome them. Specifically the creation of a networking group under LEO-NET will be suggested which will serve as a platform for collaboration on the issues of traineeships for the medical and health sciences field.

14.45 – 15.45 – How the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN and Hybrid Learning Environments (HLEs) are an ideal combination to foster innovation for education
•        Mrs. Elke van der Valk (Fontys University of Applied Sciences)
We all want educational systems to become more innovative and aligned with society, but at the same time we are stuck in those systems because of the existing structures. However there is still hope and more and more universities in the Netherlands are experimenting with HLEs putting societal challenges linked to the SDGs at the basis. Elke will give some insights into their HLE for Circular Transition and let you experience yourself how SDGs can be used as a tool to tackle societal challenges within a HLE.

 

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15.45 – 16.15 – coffee break

16.15 – 17.00 – LEO-NET member meeting

 

18.30 – 21.30 – Cooking workshop/dinner

 

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JUNE 17^TH (09.30 – 15.30)

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9:30  – 10:30 – Project idea for a KA2 Application under the ERASMUS+ programme in 2023
Brainstorm session with present Consortia and other interested participants

 

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10.30 – 11.00 – Coffee break

 

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11.00 – 12.30 – Does digital technology make us happier?
•        Mr. Rens van der Vorst (CIMB)
We live in a world full of digital technology, but when does technology make things better? And, more importantly, what do we mean by better? Rens van der Vorst takes you on an insightful, sometimes painful, sometimes hilarious, but always relevant quest for the answer to this important question.

 

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13.00 – 14.00: Lunch /Boat trip

 

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14.30 – 16.00 – How to enhance internship mobility for students and graduates with special needs? Time for action!
•        Mrs. Valérie van Hees, Mr.s Nadie Baudry and Mrs. Valerie Mertens (SIHO)
Students with fewer opportunities, like students from more vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds, students with disabilities or a refugee background, are underrepresented in mobility programmes and specifically in internships abroad. As the new Erasmus Programme aims to achieve better inclusiveness in mobility programmes, higher education institutions are in the process of planning and implementing reforms to widen participation of disadvantaged and underrepresented students in mobility programmes. During this interactive workshop session participants will gain in depth insight into the key criteria of inclusive mobility in connection to internships, following a 360° approach in which the needs and expectations of disadvantaged students, university staff and national authorities are highlighted. This workshop is supplemented by frameworks, assessment tools and case studies of good practices that are implementable right away when back at the workplace.

16.00 – 16.45 – Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027: challenges and new opportunities for traineeship mobility
•       Mr. Johannes Gehringer (European Commission, DG Education, Youth, Sport & Culture / Higher Education)
Mr. Gehringer will take us through the new opportunities in the new Erasmus+ Programme, especially for traineeship mobility. After one year we have experienced the improvements and challenges. This session is a great opportunity for discussion and Q&A’s.

 

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16.45 – 17.00 – Wrap up & Closing

 

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Biography Speakers Seminar 2022

 

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Practical details

Contact:  Leo-Net secretariat   –    info@leo-net.org   –   +31402474336 / +31651541168
Venue:

Ghent University

International Relations Office
Het Pand  –  Onderbergen 1

B- 9000 Gent                                Tel +32 (0)9 264 70 02

How to get to the meeting venue / UGent IRO?

See the map & route description

https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/principles/internationalisation/iro/route.htm

 

 

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Seminar Fees

 

 

 

	Seminar June 16-17
Leo-Net member Early Bird (deadline 22.05.2022)	€ 425
Leo-Net member	€ 490
Non Leo-Net member	€ 625

Seminar fees include:

 

June	16	17
Lunch	X	X
Refreshments during seminar	X	X
Materials	X	X
Social programme / dinner	X

Please note:

 

• Fees do not include accommodation and travel.
• For participants who decide to become a LEO-NET member at time of their registration the seminar fee for LEO-NET members will be applicable
• Participants will receive a 20% reduction on their seminar fee if they bring along another colleague from their institution
• Registration deadline: June 8, 2022
  The seminar has a limited capacity of 45 persons. Registrations will be handled upon  order of receipt.
• Cancellation policy:
  Till June 8, 2022: € 50 for administrative costs

After June 8, 2022: no refund is applicable

No VAT applicable.

 

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Hotels:

The hotels below are situated in the city centre, within short walking distance from the meeting venue

4****

Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof

Address: Hoogstraat 36, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.pillowshotels.com/ghent/

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 235 40 70

Email: grandhotelreylof@pillowshotels.com

Ghent Marriott

Address: Korenlei 10, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.marriottghent.com

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 233 93 93

Email: reservations@marriottghent.com

NH Gent Belfort

Address: Hoogpoort 63, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.nh-hotels.com/hotel/nh-gent-belfort

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 233 33 31

Email: nhgentbelfort@nh-hotels.com

Ghent River hotel

Address: Waaistraat 5, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.ghent-river-hotel.be/en/

Booking:

Tel: +32 92 66 10 10

Email: info@ghent-river-hotel.be

Hotel de Flandre

Address: Poel 1-2, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.hoteldeflandre.be/en/

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 266 06 00

Email: info@hoteldeflandre.be

Hotel Harmony

Address: Kraanlei 37, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.hotel-harmony.be/en/

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 324 26 80

Email: info@hotel-harmony.be

3***

Novotel Gent Centrum

Address: Hoogpoort 52, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-0840-novotel-gent-centrum/index.shtml

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 293 90 02

Email: H0840@accor.com (individual) or H0840-RE@accor.com (group)

Hotel Gravensteen Gent
Address: Jan Breydelstraat 35, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.gravensteen.be/en/

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 225 11 50

Email: info@gravensteen.be

Hotel Monasterium Poortackere

Address: Oude Houtlei 56, 9000 Gent

Website: https://monasterium.be/en/p/home

Booking:
Tel: +32 9 269 22 10

Email: info@monasterium.be

2**

Ibis Gent Centrum St-Baafs Kathedraal

Address: Limburgstraat 2, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.accorhotels.com/nl/hotel-0961-ibis-gent-centrum-st-baafs-kathedraal/index.shtml

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 233 00 00

Email: H0961@accor.com (individual) or H0961-RE@accor.com (group)

Ibis Gent Centrum Opera

Address: Nederkouter 24, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.accorhotels.com/nl/hotel-1455-ibis-gent-centrum-opera/index.shtml

Booking:

Tel: +32 9 225 07 07

Email: H1455@accor.com (individual) or H1455-RE@accor.com (group)

New hotels

YALO hotel

Address: Brabantdam 33, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.yalohotel.com/en/

Booking:

Tel: +32 (0) 9 395 92 00

Email: hello@yalohotel.com

B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum

Address: Voldersstraat 17, 9000 Ghent

Website: www.hotel-bb.com/nl/hotel/gent-centrum

Booking:

Tel: +32 93 96 61 30

Email: gent.centrum@hotelbb.com

 

Leo-Net warmly welcomes new potential members.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you at our next seminars!