Between September 22nd and 26th, 2025, the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (IPT) hosted the in-person component of the Erasmus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) titled “Pedagogical Innovation: Rethinking Education for Tomorrow.” This initiative was organized by the Laboratory for Pedagogical Innovation and Distance Education (LIED) in collaboration with IPT’s International Relations Office (GRI).
The program, co-funded by the European Union, brought together teachers and staff from several European higher education institutions: D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics (Bulgaria), University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (Czech Republic), Breda University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), Opole University of Technology (Poland), Valahia University of Targoviste (Romania), and Trnava University (Slovakia).
The first BIP session was held online on September 10th, featuring a lecture on pedagogical innovation delivered by Maria João Silva, Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon and member of the National Council for Pedagogical Innovation in Higher Education (CNIPES).
Over five days, the in-person program promoted debates, workshops, and thematic sessions on the challenges and opportunities of the education of the future. The opening session was attended by IPT’s Vice-President, Natércia Santos, and the Pro-President for Internationalization and Pedagogical Innovation, Célio Gonçalo Marques. The first day focused on the foundations of pedagogical innovation and improving teaching practices and strategies, with sessions led by Nelson Jorge and Elsa Oliveira from Delft Digital Learning (DDL). The second day addressed the production of digital educational content, such as videos and podcasts, through workshops conducted by IPT Professors Hélder Pestana and João Pereira, members of LIED.IPT. The third day centered on gamification in teaching, with contributions from Célio Gonçalo Marques, Samsun Bașarici, Professor and researcher at Adnan Menderes University (Turkey), and Inês Araújo, Project Manager at LIED.IPT. The fourth day was dedicated to artificial intelligence in the classroom, with a session led by Adelina Moura, a specialist in Mobile Learning. The fifth and final day included a workshop on inspiring practices for the future of education, facilitated by Elsa Oliveira (DDL), where participants shared experiences and projects developed throughout the week.
The program also included cultural visits to the Levada Cultural Complex in Tomar, the Convent of Christ, and the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, offering participants an immersion in the historical and cultural heritage of the region.
This BIP reinforces IPT’s commitment to pedagogical innovation, internationalization, and teacher training to meet the challenges of 21st-century education.
