Courses
Science, Sea, and Sustainability: EU GREEN Blended Intensive Programme (BiP) Unites Students at ATU
Atlantic Technological University hosted an in-person week of the EU GREEN Blended Intensive Programme (BiP) from the 23 to 27 June, bringing together students, researchers, and academic leaders from across Europe for an interdisciplinary exploration of epidemiology, sustainability, and collaborative innovation.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) hosted an in-person week of the EU GREEN Blended Intensive Programme (BiP) from the 23 to 27 June, bringing together students, researchers, and academic leaders from across Europe for an interdisciplinary exploration of epidemiology, sustainability, and collaborative innovation.
Held at ATU’s Sligo campus, the week-long programme brought together participants from nine universities across the EU GREEN Alliance, exploring the intersections of public health, environmental protection, and economic impact under the theme of “Epidemiology Applications for Health and Sustainability.”
Prof Frances Lucy, Academic Lead for EU GREEN at ATU, noted:
“EU GREEN is committed to advancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability, especially in Europe’s peripheral regions. The Blended Intensive Programmes (BiP) is an opportunity to bring together students from across Europe to promote sustainability on campus and through external engagement. Hosting this programme at ATU strengthens sustainability education and equips students with skills to tackle complex challenges, empowering them to drive positive change in their communities. This initiative highlights ATU’s role in driving environmental, social, and economic transformation in the region. “
Academic and Cultural Programme Highlights
The programme’s success was made possible by the dedication of the organising team at ATU and across the EU GREEN Alliance, including Dr Richéal Burns, Dr Ríona Walsh, Dr Jennie Jackson, Prof Alexis Descatha, Dr Marc Fadel Kristian Mallon, and Naoise Rasmussen. Throughout the week, the team developed a series of workshops and activities to help participants grow in confidence, deepen their understanding of health challenges, and build meaningful international connections.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr Richéal Burns, co-organiser and lecturer at ATU Sligo, highlighted:
“There are so many wonderful elements of the BiP experience I could focus on, but ultimately, I am so proud of the work our team has done to provide a very engaging and student-centred BiP. I am inspired by the students who participated in each aspect of the week and with consistent interest, curiosity, positivity and collaborative spirit. Our Alliance with EU Green has provided invaluable opportunities and supports that improve our teaching and learning skills, enhance our engagement with our Alliance partners and share our passion for teaching and research across the network.
Dr Jennie Jackson, visiting collaborator from the University of Gavle, who led sessions on systematized reviews and scientific communication emphasised the importance of international exposure for the students:
“During the course, students had the chance to expand their perspective on approaches to sustainability given the wide range of research backgrounds of the participants. Further, students presented to an international audience and worked on conquering nerves, honing their language and scientific presentation skills, and learning to field questions from different disciplines. These skills will help students tackling future conference presentations and networking opportunities and we were really impressed with how hard the students worked in preparing and delivering their final reports.”
Dr Ríona Walsh and Dr Jennie Jackson played key roles in the design and delivery of the week’s activities, contributing their expertise in public health and science communication to support the programme.
The BiP included interactive lectures, group projects, and specialist sessions delivered by faculty from across the EU GREEN network.
Throughout the week, keynote speakers and academic leaders brought invaluable insights to the interdisciplinary focus on health and sustainability:
- Prof Frances Lucy, Academic Lead for EU GREEN at ATU, delivered an introductory welcome that explained the programme’s placement within the context of sustainability and regional engagement.
- Dr Chiara Pittalis (RCSI) highlighted water innovation in low-resource communities, directly linking public health to sustainable development.
- Prof. Alexis Deschatha and Dr. Marc Fadel shared in thePresentation Skills in Epidemiology workshop and group SLR development, led by Dr. Jennie Jackson.
- Dr Carmel Heaney contributed specialist knowledge on Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) connecting the programme to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Intercultural Learning and Local Exploration
A major strength of the programme was also its commitment to experiential learning and intercultural exchange. Participants took part in:
- A surfing lesson at Strandhill to experience Ireland’s Wild Atlantic coastline.
- A group trip to Bundoran, including a cliff walk and shared dinner.
- An evening of traditional Irish music and dancing, offering a warm introduction to local culture.
These activities provided context for participants to build international friendships, deepen their understanding of regional culture, and engage meaningfully beyond the classroom.
Student Reflections
Participants described the EU GREEN Blended Intensive Programme as valuable for both their academic development and personal growth:
“The focus of this BiP on epidemiology brought together students from diverse backgrounds and helped us understand how this subject connects to sustainability within the EU’s Sustainable Development Goals. There were so many opportunities to engage with other students through group assignments, courses, and workshops. I would definitely recommend it to others.”
“What I loved about the BiP was the opportunities for collaboration both inside and outside the classroom. For example, we had a surf lesson together as a team to learn a new activity, which bolstered my confidence and helped build connections for life. It also supported us working together in teams for our group presentations and project work.”
“It was a fantastic project, and I really gained so much from participating in the BiP. The lectures were extremely relevant as we learned about public policy, data visualization, and equity in public health. I would highly encourage others to participate in BiPs within the EU GREEN Alliance, as it can serve as transversal knowledge for your future. It also allowed us to connect with new people through group work, presentations, and understanding new ways of learning. I wish to thank all the organisers for the excellent quality of the work, topics, and projects they put together for us.”
Prize Giving
A prize giving ceremony was held at the end of the week to highlight the work of several students who completed engaging 7-minute presentations. Recipients included:
- Rebecca Tarpey (ATU) – Iron Deficiency in Teenagers in Ireland
- Julia Cwalinska (Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences) – Antimicrobial Resistance in Poland
- Aneta Turczyn (Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences) – Microplastics in Cosmetics and Personal Care Use
The BiP highlighted ATU’s commitment to applied learning, regional engagement, and meaningful progress toward shared sustainability goals.
Please contact jorden.mcmenamin@atu.ie /074 918 6127 for more information.
Photo caption: Group shot featuring participants, staff, and students from across the nine EU GREEN university alliance members.
