The Summer School in Molecular Bacteriology: an innovative international experience to open up to research thanks to BIP

In contrast to traditional long-term mobility stays, BIP is a more flexible and accessible alternative, particularly suited to students facing financial, personal or professional constraints. The program, designed in collaboration between three universities in different countries, combines virtual and face-to-face learning, offering a rich hybrid pedagogical approach. "This is a unique opportunity for students to experiment with innovative teaching methods and strengthen their skills in an international context," emphasizes Isabella Fontana, Director of International Relations at UNamur.

The Summer School offered at UNamur this summer as part of the Master in Molecular Microbiology, builds on a solid European network that includes renowned universities such as Philipps-Universität Marburg (Germany) and Université d'Aix-Marseille (France). It has brought together a number of foreign and UNamur students. Led by Professor Jean-Yves Matroule, this summer school perfectly illustrated the benefits of the BIP program.

A total of 34 students from partner universities in Germany, France, Estonia and Belgium gathered in Namur. Over the course of a week, participants attended scientific lectures, took part in practical laboratory work, and enjoyed cultural activities such as visits to Namur or Orval Abbey. "The students had the opportunity to meet teachers and researchers from other universities, deepen their knowledge of molecular bacteriology and bacteriophage biology, and collaborate within international groups," explains Jean-Yves Matroule.

The program was not limited to one week on site. A preparatory virtual phase introduced participants to the objectives of the Summer School, followed by an analysis of the data collected and a final evaluation. This structure encourages continuous learning and supports collaboration between international students. What's more, the event incorporated key themes, such as the place of women in Science, reinforcing the values of inclusion and diversity. "This experience not only boosted our network affected by the COVID pandemic, but also extended it with new partners, such as Toulouse, Tartu, Lausanne and Nijmegen," adds Jean-Yves Matroule.

Given the success of this first edition, the organizers are already planning to repeat the experience, with the next edition in Marseille scheduled for two years from now.

For Jean-Yves Matroule, this type of program helps to fill a gap: "There is still no European network dedicated to molecular microbiology. It is crucial to promote this discipline through initiatives such as BIP, as it will help to meet the major challenges of the 21st century such as the increase in antibiotic resistance and the use of microorganisms in biotechnology."

The success of this project relies on close collaboration between UNamur teams, its international partners and financial support from the Erasmus+ program. "The objective was achieved because we wanted to create a kind of networking between the students, who came from Germany, France, Estonia and Belgium. We formed international groups, and there really was a dynamic that took hold quite quickly. We hope that the contacts established during the Summer School will continue, so that everyone can discover new cultures and other ways of working and learning," shares Jean-Yves Matroule. Isabella Fontana concludes, "This is a project that has achieved all its objectives, and gone even further. This collaboration is a source of inspiration for developing similar initiatives in the future".

Through the BIPs, the University of Namur is showing how innovative and accessible educational programs can enrich students' academic and personal experience, while strengthening links between European universities.