The International Coordination Office of Budapest Metropolitan University organized its annual Erasmus+ International Staff Training Week between May 20-24, 2024, with nearly 30 participants representing 12 higher education institutions from 18 countries across the globe. The successful event was hosted at Infopark campus this year. The thematic project week was titled 'Sustainable solutions in our everyday activities,' thus the speakers were invited, and the programs were organized accordingly. During the Staff Week, both faculties of our university, several lecturers, and staff members from various departments of METU assisted in enabling international guests to familiarize themselves with METU's innovative, diverse, and sustainability-focused practices.

Most participants came from higher education institutions of EU member states (Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Czech Republic), but partners from non-EU countries also attended the event (from Malaysia, Indonesia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Turkey).

The eventful week started with an "icebreaking" garden party at Dürer Kert on Whit Monday – fortunately, the heavy rainfall did not prevent us from having a nice introductory warm-up session before the official part. The thematic workshops started on Tuesday, and each participant introduced their respective institutions. The Staff Week also allowed our international colleagues to strengthen their networks and mutually learn from each other's best practices - from Groningen and Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur.

In his welcome speech, Dr. Péter Rada, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, emphasized METU's daily commitment to "green" and innovative practices and briefly explained how the strategic partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) could further strengthen these approaches. Fatima Weininger, Institutional Erasmus Coordinator, presented METU's international efforts and the tasks and staff members of the International Coordination Office.

During the training week, we offered various programs for our guests. For example, partners participated in a sightseeing tour, including stops at the Danube Bank, the Parliament, and St. Stephen's Basilica. They got to know the various units of METU and attended interesting and detailed lectures focusing on sustainable tourism. Beyond the general introduction of each university, some participants also gave presentations on sustainability topics, which were also open to METU students. 

Thanks to a special workshop conducted by Professor Burak Dogu (Izmir University of Economics) for the students of the Faculty of Business, Tourism, and Communication, and hosted by the METU Institute of Sustainability Studies, the sense of cohesion between METU students and invited lecturers was particularly supported. Furthermore, Burak Dogu also presented his research under the title 'Environmental mobilizations and networking,' for Staff Week participants, while Ilze Krumina (Alberta College, Latvia) explained the emergence of ‘green’ issues in social media with her presentation titled 'The issue of sustainability in social media.'

Participants also had the opportunity to explore the diverse training portfolio of the Faculty of Art and Creative Industries. An open screening of Bálint Révész’s documentary, ‘Uprooted – The Olimpyc Tribe’ was followed by a vivid discussion among the producer and our guests. ‘Uprooted’ was a particularly fitting choice to illustrate how an internationally well-known and recognized METU instructor approaches the issue of deforestation in tropical rainforests and with sensitivity and respect to the affected inhabitants behind the phenomenon. In line with sustainability and recycling, Staff Week participants could cut and sew bags, scrunchies, and shopping bags from leftover fabrics and create small crocheted accessories for themselves.

On the margin of the Staff Week, separate side meetings were held. Within this framework, the ART faculty signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian LSPR (LSPR Communication & Business Institute – Jakarta) university, which helps to launch joint programs in the future. Cooperation primarily in fashion design, the textile industry, art instruction, and graphic design may begin with the prestigious ERAM (Escola Universitària de les Arts) institution, too, located in Girona, northern Catalonia.

As a symbolic and practical expression of our evolving international relations, all participants planted flower seeds brought from their home countries together with the organizers at the end of the fruitful week. In line with the promises made at the farewell lunch, we invite and look forward to welcoming our international partners to the upcoming METU Erasmus Staff Week event in the 2024/2025 academic year.

2024. 06. 16.