Thursday, 7 May 2026

09:00-09:30 | registration

Registration at 📍CEU Cardenal Herrera University, Aula Magna de Salud

09:30-11:30 | welcome and host university presentations

Welcome to the seminar by the LEO-NET Board, 📍Aula Magna de Salud.

Welcome address by Prof. Vicente Villar Amigó, Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Postgraduate Studies.

Overview of CEU Cardenal Herrera University & Erasmus+ Internships Opportunities
Halyna Zubrytska – International Relations Specialist

Careers Services Department: Internship Opportunities and Professional Developmen
Laura López Verhoeven – Career Guidance and Student Support Officer

Postgraduate Studies Department: Programmes and Services
María José López García – Postgraduate Services Officer

11:30-12:00 | Coffe break & Networking

12:00-13:00 | Age Management: How to Work Together Across Generations

📍Aula Magna de Salud | Speaker: Lucia Potocká – Career Consultant (Slovakia)

Up to four generations now work side by side. Differences in values, communication styles, attitudes to authority, technology and work–life boundaries frequently create tension, particularly in situations where age and formal hierarchy do not align.
This interactive session focuses on age management as a practical competence, not a theoretical concept. Using real examples – participants will learn how to navigate intergenerational collaboration more effectively.

Participants will gain:

• Clear strategies for leading and collaborating in age-diverse teams
• Practical approaches to reverse mentoring
• Communications technique across generations
• Solutions to friction points
• Ready-to-use recommendations

13:00–14:00 | Lunch

14:00–15:00 | CEU Cardenal herrera university Campus Tour

The CEU Valencia campus tour offers an overview of the university’s main academic and social spaces, including the Faculty of Medicine, the Audiovisual Communication facilities, and the central library. Visitors will discover modern classrooms, laboratories, and creative studios while learning about the campus environment, student life, and academic offerings.

• Faculty of Medicine
• Audiovisual Communication facilities
• Central library
• Modern classrooms and laboratories
• Creative studios

15:00–15:30 | Coffee Break

15:30–16:15 | How Can AI Help Prepare Students for an Erasmus+ Traineeship?

📍 Aula S-A213, second floor, same building

Speaker: Thomas Berger – Director of Mobility Programmes and Online Academy, Institut inter.research e.V. (Germany)
Speaker: Gideon Zoller – Erasmus Internships Coordinator at Institute inter.research e.V. in Fulda (Germany)

Artificial intelligence has developed rapidly over the last years and we want to explore in this workshop, how A.I. can be of practical help to our Erasmus+ trainees and whether AI can function as a structured coaching tool. We would like to share a prototype A.I. coaching prompt, which includes the competence pass (reflection tool to develop students’ future skills) we presented in 2023, as a starting point for our joint exploration and discussion.

Participants will gain:

• Understanding reflective practice
• Insight into the Competence Pass
• Opportunities and limitations of AI coaching
• Added value of AI in Erasmus+ mobility

16:15–17:00 | Short-Term Programmes and International Engagement: Current status and the way forward

📍 Aula S-A213, second floor, same building

Speaker: Renate Link – Head of the Institute for Intercultural Communication at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
Speaker: Ernst Schulten – Director of the International Office at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. (Germany).

In times of sustained global change, demand for specialised short-term programmes (STPs) continues to grow. This panel examines the current landscape and future development of STPs from student, administrative, and academic perspectives, incorporating intercultural viewpoints. Led by experienced STP organisers from Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences/Germany, the panel will highlight practical insights and illustrative examples.

Participants will gain:

• Understand STPs and BIPs and their learning potential
• Explore blended learning trends and innovative delivery formats
• Identify implementation challenges and effective solutions
• Design culturally sensitive and financially viable programmes
• Evaluate impact and transfer good practices across contexts

17:00–17:30 | LEO-NET Member Meeting

📍 Aula S-A213, second floor, same building

For LEO-NET members only

19:00 | Social Event: paella and tapas Cooking Workshop

Experience the true taste of Spain in the heart of Valencia! During this interactive cooking workshop, you will discover the secrets of traditional Valencia paella, the iconic dish born in this very city, actively take part in its preparation, and explore the flavors that make Spanish cuisine so unique.

Join us an evening filled with great food, quality drinks, and relaxed networking in a warm international atmosphere. The perfect opportunity to combine a culinary experience with meaningful connections. Buen provecho!

Please note: the Paella & Tapas Cooking Workshop takes place in Castellón, a city located approximately one hour from Valencia by bus. Transportation will be provided and the bus will depart from CEU Cardenal Herrera University at 17:45. The workshop itself will last approximately two hours, after which the bus will bring all participants back to Valencia, with an expected arrival time of around 23:00.

Friday, 8 May 2026

09:00-10:30 | Internship READY: Assessing Internship Quality Before Problems Appear 

📍 Aula Magna de Salud

Speaker: Maarten Brand – Internship expert and author, Bureau Brand (The Netherlands)

How can we recognise an internship quality early before problems appear? In this dynamic 60-minute session, we introduce READY – a simple and practical framework that helps turn vague internship promises into clear questions and observable indicators.

Through interactive polls, a short decision-based mini-case, and a fast “pick-your-best-question” exercise, participants will actively explore how to assess and strengthen internship quality in a structured yet practical way. The session also briefly presents the Internship QuickScan – a constructive improvement tool for organisations that want real progress, not “audit theatre.”

What will participants gain?

• Clear understanding of the READY framework
• 10 practical screening questions
• Ability to identify red and green flags
• A first-week validation checklist
• Access to the Internships READY Field Guide

10:30-11:00 | Coffee break 

11:00-12:00 | Erasmus+ today and tomorrow: future perspectives on traineeship mobilities

📍 Aula Magna de Salud

Speaker: Paul Tzimas – European Commission, DG Education, Youth, Sport & Culture (Belgium)

Mr. Tzimas will present the current state of Erasmus+ traineeship mobility in higher education, highlighting achievements, emerging challenges, and future priorities.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussion on strategic goals for the next generation of the programme.

12:00-13:00 | the union of skills & erasmus+: What’s Next for Higher Education?

📍 Aula Magna de Salud

Speaker: Hugo Pinto de Abreu – European Commission, DG Education, Youth, Sport & Culture (Belgium)

This interactive session presents the Union of Skills initiative and the wider European higher education policy context, exploring its implications for higher education and traineeship mobility.

13:00-14:00 | lunch

14:00-15:30 | social justice, green guidance & career development

📍 Aula Magna de Salud

Speaker: Mariana Lucas Casanova – Researcher, Centre for Research and Innovation in Education, Polytechnic of Porto

This session examines how higher education institutions can integrate social justice and sustainability into career guidance and internships practices. The discussion focuses on equitable access, green transition challenges, and building inclusive, responsible career pathways.

15:30-16:15 | Hosting international erasmus+ trainees: a company perspective: APEX GROUP AND CEU CARDENAL HERRERA UNIVERSITY VETERINARY HOSPITAL

📍 Aula Magna de Salud

This session will feature Apex Group, a global financial services provider supporting asset managers, financial institutions, and family offices worldwide.

Founded in 2003, Apex Group delivers integrated financial solutions designed to support the growth and ambitions of its clients while driving positive change across the financial ecosystem.

During this session, representatives from Apex Group will share their practical experience hosting international trainees through the Erasmus+ programme. Participants will gain insight into employer expectations, benefits, challenges and opportunities for stronger university-company cooperation.

16:15-16:30 | Wrap-up & closing the seminar

📍 Aula Magna de Salud

This final session reflects on key insights and emerging priorities from the seminar.
Together, participants will consolidate learning, strengthen connections, and outline future directions for LEO-NET cooperation.

Pre-Seminar Activities

Wednesday, 6 may 2026

18:00-19:30 | guided valencia city tour | Meeting point: Torres de Serrano

Enjoy a guided walking tour through 2,000 years of history in the heart of Valencia. Starting at the iconic Serranos Towers, we will explore Plaza de la Virgen, the Valencia Cathedral, the Basilica, and the Palau de la Generalitat.

The tour continues through the vibrant market district, including La Lonja de la Seda (UNESCO World Heritage site) and the impressive Mercado Central.

A perfect opportunity to discover the cultural richness of Valencia while connecting with fellow seminar participants in an informal setting.

20:00-22:00 | meet & greet evening | Venue: Food Terrace

Kick off the seminar in a relaxed atmosphere at a central Valencia restaurant or bar. Join fellow participants for drinks and light snacks, reconnect with colleagues, and start building new international connections.

You will also have the opportunity to meet students currently completing their Erasmus+ internships in Valencia and gain first-hand insights into their mobility experiences.

A welcoming start to three days of learning, sharing and collaboration.

Lucia Potocká – (Slovakia)

Lucia Potocká is a professional career consultant specialising in career development, intergenerational cooperation and future skills. She works with individuals and organisations on career transitions and effective collaboration within diverse teams.

With a background in leadership, international project management and coaching, she delivers workshops on communication, time management, psychological safety and multigenerational teamwork. Her work combines practical experience with coaching tools, personality diagnostics and labour market insights, making her sessions highly applicable for both professionals and students preparing for international careers.

Thomas Berger – (Germany)

Thomas Berger has led the regional contact point of the Erasmus+ traineeship consortium “Network for Erasmus Traineeships and University Business Cooperation” for over 25 years. The consortium is a collaboration between Institut inter.research e.V. and Fulda University of Applied Sciences.

He is also Director of the Online Academy of the Institute, which develops online courses to strengthen intercultural, business and European civic skills of Erasmus trainees. His current work includes experimenting with AI-supported learning approaches in mobility contexts.

Gideon Zoller – (Germany)

Gideon Zoller is Erasmus Internship Coordinator at Institut inter.research e.V. in Fulda and is actively involved in Erasmus Student Network Germany and Europa macht Schule.

With a background in Intercultural Communication and European Studies, and Erasmus experiences across Europe, his work focuses on connecting exchange programmes, strengthening access to mobility and fostering inclusive intercultural learning within European frameworks.

Renate Link – (Germany)

Renate Link is Professor of Business English and Intercultural Communication at the Faculty of Business and Law at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. She is Vice Head of the university’s Language Centre and Head of the Institute for Intercultural Communication.

Her research focuses on cross-cultural communication, and she has published extensively and presented at major international conferences including NAFSA, EAIE, APAIE, SIETAR and IACCM. She has led numerous Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes, international staff weeks and summer schools, and is actively involved in international academic networks and councils.

Ernst Schulten – (Germany)

Ernst Schulten is Director of the International Office at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. His work spans international cooperation, quality management and digital learning environments.

He established the university’s central e-learning platform, implemented EFQM quality management strategies, and founded the Career Service and SAP Laboratory of Information Management. He has organised numerous Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes, global master schools and short-term programmes, connecting the university with academic and industry partners worldwide.

Maarten Brand – (Netherlands)

Maarten Brand is a researcher, speaker and best-selling author in the Netherlands specialising in internship quality and workplace learning. He works with schools and companies on supervision, learning climate, structure and realistic expectations.

He develops practical tools such as the Internship QuickScan and the Emergent Internship Framework (EIF), supporting organisations in building sustainable and high-quality internship environments.

Paul tzimas – (belgium)

Paul Tzimas is a Policy Officer within the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), working on initiatives related to higher education, mobility and European cooperation under the Erasmus+ framework.

In his role, he contributes to policy development and the coordination of European programmes that support the quality, innovation and inclusion of international mobility and traineeship opportunities across the EU. His work includes engagement with Member States, institutional partners and stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and the impact of European education programmes.

Paul has represented the European Commission at official events and policy sessions focused on higher education innovation, international mobility and strategic cooperation, reflecting his involvement in advancing European priorities within the Erasmus+ context.

Hugo Pinto de Abreu – (belgium)

Hugo Pinto de Abreu is a Higher Education Policy Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, supporting the development and implementation of the legal status for European Universities alliances, as outlined in the 2022 European Strategy for Universities and the 2025 Union of Skills Strategy.

He contributed to the drafting of the higher education chapter within the 2025 STEM Education Strategic Plan, as well as of the student housing actions integrated into the first European Affordable Housing Plan.

His role further involves oversight of EU-backed financial instruments for higher education, ensuring the effective review of student support schemes (e.g., loans, income share agreements) and infrastructure finance for education providers.

Mariana lucas casanova – (portugal)

Mariana Lucas Casanova, PhD in Psychology, is a psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with higher education students and graduates. She specialises in Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Career Development.

She is an Integrated Researcher at the Centre for Research & Innovation in Education (inED) and an Invited Adjunct Professor at the School of Education, Polytechnic of Porto (ESE-IPP). Her research, using mixed-method approaches, focuses on work experiences, precarity, unemployment, psychosocial uncertainty, green guidance, and political participation.

Mariana has led and implemented EU-funded research and intervention projects supporting vulnerable groups, including migrants and young people with disabilities. Grounded in a social justice perspective, her work examines how socioeconomic and political factors shape work, career development, and access to opportunities, contributing to both policy and professional practice.