Portugal and an idea for greater sustainability

A semester abroad is not the only way to gain international experience whilst studying. Through the Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) run by the EU GREEN university alliance, students at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg can spend a short period studying at a partner university in Europe, collaborate with students from different countries and, in doing so, broaden their academic horizons beyond their own field of study.

Nour Elsayed took advantage of one such opportunity in the summer of 2026. The 22-year-old is in her fifth bachelor’s semester studying Bilingual Computer Science at the University of Magdeburg and took part in the BIP ‘Project Management Toolkit for Sustainability’ at the University of Évora in Portugal. For a week, she worked alongside international students on project management and sustainability.

“As a computer science student, my studies often involve technical and digital solutions. I therefore found it fascinating to look beyond that for a change and learn how sustainable projects are planned and implemented, and what role different disciplines play in this,” she explains.

From Instagram to Portugal

Nour Elsayed first learnt about the programme through an Instagram post by the university’s International Office. She then looked into the various BIPs and their topics. “I realised there’s a whole range of different programmes covering various topics and involving partner universities,” she reports.

What particularly appealed to her about the programme in Évora was the combination of sustainability, technology and project management. At the same time, she wanted to gain international experience and work with students from other disciplines.

“Up until now, I’ve tended to look at sustainability issues from a technical perspective. I wanted to gain a better understanding of how technology, sustainability and project management can be linked,” she explains. “I was also keen to discover new perspectives and experience what it’s like to learn in a truly international environment.”

First online, then on-site

The Blended Intensive Programmes combine a digital learning phase with a short stay at a partner university. The programmes have been on offer since 2021 as part of the current generation of Erasmus+ programmes. The aim is to enable international learning experiences even when a full semester abroad is not an option.

For Nour Elsayed, the BIP began online. From 1 June to 3 July, the students took part in digital sessions, completed assignments and got to know one another. At the same time, they began working together on a project that was later to be further developed in Portugal.

“We had regular live online sessions and several assignments to complete. As well as the content-related tasks, we were already exchanging ideas with the other participants and had started working together on our future project,” she explains.

On 13 July, they finally set off for Portugal. For a week, the students worked at the University of Évora in international and interdisciplinary teams. The aim was to develop their own project idea and present it at the end of the week.

What to do with waste heat from data centres?

Nour Elsayed and her team tackled a question that fitted in well with their computer science studies whilst also going far beyond them: how can waste heat from data centres be utilised?

Data centres consume large amounts of energy and generate heat in the process. Until now, some of this heat has been released into the environment without being utilised. The team therefore wanted to explore how this heat could be used, for example, for local heating networks.

The idea: a digital platform that connects data centres with existing or planned district heating networks. To this end, the students developed a concept featuring various technical functions – including real-time data collection, a digital map showing data centres and heating networks, and a system that visualises potential connections between heat sources and consumers.

“But it wasn’t just about the technical side,” explains Nour Elsayed. “We also had to consider how such a solution might work in practice, which stakeholders would be involved, and what contribution they could make towards a more sustainable use of energy.”

It was precisely this international and interdisciplinary collaboration that helped them to view the project from different perspectives. However, no finished software was produced during the short project phase. Instead, the team developed a concept and presented it at the end of the week.

Working, learning and discovering Évora

There wasn’t much time for leisure during the intensive project week. The programme days began at around 8.30 am and lasted until around 6 pm. Lectures on project management and sustainability were followed by group work sessions, during which the students were able to apply what they had learnt directly to their project. There were also field trips and other activities.

The field trips included a visit to Agroturismo Xistos at the Herdade Monte da Ponte, which Nour Elsayed described as her personal highlight of the BIP. The sustainable agrotourism business focuses, amongst other things, on biodiversity, responsible tourism and collaboration with the scientific community and the local community. For the students, the field trip also offered a welcome break from the intensive programme and an opportunity to spend time together in nature.

“After the official programme, we often carried on working on our project,” says Nour Elsayed. Nevertheless, there was still time to explore Évora together, go out for a meal or simply sit together.

The students were able to explore the Portuguese city, with its historic old town, easily on foot. Nour Elsayed particularly remembers the evenings spent together and the sunsets.

“After the intense days and all the work we’d done together, it was lovely just to be with the others and enjoy the moment.”

A shared international dinner was also part of the experience: the students cooked dishes from their respective home countries at their accommodation. The encounters during the week led to friendships, some of which have continued even after the BIP.

Six ECTS credits and many new perspectives

Nour Elsayed received six ECTS credits for her participation. As the content of the BIP did not directly correspond to an elective module in her computer science degree, she applied to have the course recognised by the university as an additional module.

Financial support was also provided for the stay. The Erasmus+ mobility grant from the University of Magdeburg covered a large part of the costs for flights, accommodation and meals. Nour Elsayed organised the journey and her stay herself.

For her, the short trip to Portugal was particularly worthwhile because of the combination of academic study, international exchange and personal experience.

“The BIP showed me just how valuable international collaboration can be. Not only did I learn something new academically, but I also realised how much you can gain from interacting with people from other countries and disciplines.”

“Just take the plunge and apply”

She would therefore advise other students to take a closer look at the various BIP programmes and apply for one that suits them.

“I would definitely recommend just taking the plunge and applying,” she says. It is important, she adds, to find out about the programmes and application requirements in good time and to plan the organisational details well in advance.

Once there, it’s also important to be open to approaching other participants. “Especially on an international programme, it’s worth spending time together not only during the official events, but also doing things together outside of them. In the end, it’s often precisely these shared experiences that you remember the longest.”

For Nour Elsayed, this international experience is not set to be her last. After completing her computer science degree, she wants to take advantage of further opportunities to combine technical knowledge with other subject areas and perspectives. She can also envisage working in an international environment.

“In computer science in particular, collaboration across national and disciplinary boundaries has now become the norm. My experiences on the BIP have shown me that this is exactly the kind of environment I enjoy.”

Blended Intensive Programmes at EU GREEN

The EU GREEN university alliance brings together nine European universities from Sweden, Poland, Italy, France, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, Romania and Spain. In the BIPs, students from various disciplines and nationalities first work together online and then spend a short period on campus at one of the partner universities.

Students at the University of Magdeburg can find out about current BIPs, application deadlines and funding opportunities from the International Office and on the EU GREEN platform.