“English for Entrepreneurship” by the Language Centre of the University of Cyprus
The Language Centre of the University of Cyprus is pleased to announce the successful completion of the recent Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for students interested in entrepreneurship from various European countries, which was held as part of the Erasmus+ programme. The programme offered a unique learning experience, combining online and face-to-face teaching in Nicosia, enhancing both academic development and meaningful intercultural exchange for students of Economics, management, and law students interested in startups.
This year’s BIP welcomed students from Belgium, Finland, Croatia, Poland, and Cyprus, representing universities from the YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) alliance. This initiative reflects YUFE’s vision for inclusive, innovative, and collaborative European higher education, while also highlighting the Language Centre’s commitment to international cooperation and the promotion of multilingualism.
During the online phase, participants engaged with topics related to language, intercultural awareness, and communication strategies. The face-to-face phase, which took place at the University of Cyprus, included experiential workshops, group projects, meetings with private investors (also known as business angels), and final presentations on topics such as pitching business proposals, fundraising, start-ups, and more.
Multicultural teams of students were asked to design an innovative service or product, develop key performance indicators (KPIs), draw up detailed financial and commercial strategies, and present their idea to potential investors with a view to securing funding. The winning team designed the POTLY app, which offers personalised meals at home, allowing flexible working hours for both cooks and distributors.
At the same time, participants had the opportunity to learn about Cypriot culture through cultural events and visits to various parts of the island.
Feedback from students and teachers was extremely positive. Students described the program as a valuable experience that enhanced their academic skills, provided them with international contacts and collaborations, and brought them closer to Cypriot culture. The trainers, in turn, praised the team spirit and creativity that characterised all phases of the program.
The Language Centre expresses its warm thanks to the Erasmus+ and YUFE offices, as well as the support staff, for their contribution to the success of the program. Initiatives such as this confirm the University of Cyprus’ commitment to modern language education and European cooperation.
Source: University of Cyprus | Latest news (https://tinyurl.com/2svbpbcn)