BIP at FM CU - February 2026

From 3–13 February 2026, the Faculty of Management of Comenius University in Bratislava hosted an international Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Staff Week – IT Skills and AI for Universities. The event combined an online and on-site format and delivered a programme focused on developing digital skills and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in higher education.

Approximately 20 university staff members from Romania, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Croatia, and other European countries participated in the programme. The meeting created space for expert discussions, exchange of experience, and the development of new partnerships among academics, researchers, and administrative staff engaged in digitalisation and innovation in higher education.

The programme began with two online sessions (3 and 4 February 2026), which prepared participants for the on-site part in Bratislava. The following week (9–13 February 2026) was dedicated to in-person workshops at the faculty.

The opening day focused on the use of artificial intelligence in higher education – from supporting academic writing and research to increasing teaching productivity, student engagement, and the preparation of learning materials. Ethical considerations, security, and the responsible use of AI in the academic context formed an important part of the discussions. The first day also included a cultural programme that encouraged informal networking and strengthened international cooperation.

The second day was devoted to data analysis and data-driven decision-making. Participants worked with AI tools for processing, visualising, and interpreting data and discussed how artificial intelligence can support strategic management, research, and everyday decision-making at universities.

The third day connected agile methodologies with the use of AI in project management and digital innovation. The programme introduced the principles of Scrum, Kanban, and Lean and demonstrated how AI tools can enhance planning, task prioritisation, risk management, and effective teamwork in the academic environment.

The final expert day focused on the use of AI in marketing, branding, and communication of academic institutions. Discussions covered AI-supported content creation, personalised communication with students, automation of marketing processes, and measuring campaign effectiveness through data analytics, with continued emphasis on ethical and reputational considerations.

The programme was delivered by lecturers and PhD candidates of the Faculty of Management – Lucia Kočišová, Martin Krajčík, Michal Greguš, Eva Poráziková, and Rastislav Kulhánek – who combined technological expertise with a strategic perspective on the transformation of higher education in the era of artificial intelligence.

The BIP Staff Week confirmed that implementing artificial intelligence at universities is not only about adopting new tools, but above all about shaping a culture of responsibility, critical thinking, and international collaboration. Bringing together experts from different countries and professional roles demonstrated that the future of AI in academia is built on sharing experience, collective learning, and a thoughtful approach to innovation.

As a direct result of the intensive cooperation and professional discussions during the week, a new partnership was established with Universitat Pompeu Fabra – ESCI-UPF School of International Studies. This collaboration will lead to the signing of an additional Erasmus agreement, further strengthening international cooperation and creating new mobility opportunities for both staff and students in the field of digital skills and artificial intelligence.