Sociology students worked in international teams to solve business challenges in the BlendED2026 program under the guidance of Prof. Palić

From February 16 to 20, 2026, the initial phase of the international Erasmus+ program BlendED2026 - Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Solving Industry Challenges was held at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) in Crete. The program brings together students from various academic disciplines from numerous European countries, including the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (Austria).

• Catholic University of Croatia (Croatia)
• Glasgow Caledonian University (UK)
• Hellenic Mediterranean University - HMU (Greece)
• LUCA School of Arts (Belgium)
• Odisee University of Applied Sciences (Belgium)
• Trier University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
• University of Maia (Portugal)
• University of Maribor (Slovenia)
• University of Orléans (France)
• University of Siegen (Germany)
• Polytechnic of Porto (Portugal)
• University of Vigo (Spain)

who, through interdisciplinary teamwork, develop solutions for real business challenges presented to them by international companies. The Catholic University of Croatia is once again participating in the program this year as the only representative from the Republic of Croatia. The program includes graduate sociology students Nina Ivasović, Natali Pera, Ante Glasnović, Marija Ratković, and Klara Puček, under the expert mentorship of Associate Professor Petra Palić, PhD.

BlendED represents an innovative educational model in which students from the fields of social sciences, management, marketing, design, development, and information technologies work in international and interdisciplinary teams on projects proposed by real companies and organizations. Through this process, students develop analytical, communication, and project management skills, while gaining experience working in an international and professional environment.

This year’s program partners are FLiP Kärnten, Adidas, Campus.ly, Zeitkapsl.eu, Heraklion City Bus, and My Learning Companion, who presented students with concrete business challenges in the areas of innovation, digital solutions, service development, and socially responsible business. During the initial mobility period in Crete, students met members of their international teams, participated in workshops, and began working on their projects.

The program began with a one-week in-person meeting at a partner institution, followed by several months of virtual collaboration between students and mentors, during which teams develop solutions to the assigned challenges. The final phase of the program will take place in July 2026, when students will present their projects to representatives of partner universities and industry.

Participation in the BlendED program provides students with the opportunity to develop key competencies required in today’s labor market, such as interdisciplinary collaboration, international communication, teamwork, and the application of academic knowledge to real business challenges. At the same time, the participation of the Catholic University of Croatia in this program further confirms its commitment to the internationalization of studies and to engaging students in modern educational models that connect the academic community with the business sector.