Head of the International Relations Office on an Internship in Brussels
Professional study visits are not just for students - they unlock new perspectives and opportunities for university staff as well.
František Hurt, Head of the International Relations Office at the Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, took part in a professional study visit to Brussels from 20 to 24 April, organised by the Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research (CZELO). The fifth edition of this study visit focused on international cooperation in education and brought together ten representatives of Czech higher education institutions.
The programme provided participants with a comprehensive insight into the functioning and future direction of the Erasmus programme, including discussions on its further development. It also included meetings with key stakeholders in European education policy, notably Bogdan Zdrojewski, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education, as well as representatives of the European Commission (DG EAC).
Throughout the week, participants attended a series of presentations by European institutions and organisations active in the field of higher education and research, which introduced their activities and opportunities for cooperation. These included, among others, the European University Association (EUA), the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), DAAD, Welsh Higher Education Brussels, Norcore, SwissCore, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Significant attention was also devoted to programmes such as Horizon Europe and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
The programme also included visits to Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in Mechelen and UHasselt, opening opportunities for future cooperation in the areas of mobility, teaching, and research.
“The study visit allowed me not only to establish a number of valuable contacts, but above all to gain broader context and a ‘big picture’ understanding of how programmes such as Erasmus+ function and of the role European institutions play in supporting education and research. I would strongly recommend this experience to colleagues from across the university involved in international cooperation or international projects,” summarised František Hurt.
CZELO organises these professional study visits on a regular basis. The next edition is planned for autumn 2026, with applications opening at the beginning of the summer.
