From 26 to 30 May 2025, we had the honour of hosting Mr Oussama Rida from Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh. Mr Rida participated in the Erasmus+ International Staff Intensive Week. This brief yet enriching experience offered an interweaving of academic exchange, cultural experience and professional development.
A Welcoming Academic Environment
The International Staff Week took place under the theme Innovative Teaching Methods and brought together lecturers and professionals from across Europe and beyond. Mr Rida shared his first impression: 'Upon arrival in Maribor, I was warmly welcomed by the organising team at Academia Institute of Technology. The atmosphere was lively, inclusive and well organised.'
As part of his lecture for Academia students, Mr Rida presented the topic 'Reimagining Business Mathematics and Statistics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools'. The interaction with students and fellow lecturers was dynamic and intellectually stimulating. For him, it was particularly rewarding to observe how students and colleagues embraced practical examples of applying mathematics in the real business world with the integration of artificial intelligence.
Intercultural and Professional Exchange
One of the highlights of the week was the Erasmus+ Career Cocktail event, where participants presented their institutions and connected directly with local students. The event enabled discussion not only about academic opportunities, but also about career paths in fields such as art, artificial intelligence and digital media.
During the week, Mr Rida attended several workshops and presentations by colleagues working in various fields – from gaming as a teaching method to integrating sustainability into vocational curricula. These encounters sparked ideas about future collaborations and joint modules between institutions.
Personal and Institutional Impact
Mr Rida emphasised how this experience broadened his perspective on vocational education systems and the innovative role of short-cycle degree institutions in bridging knowledge and skills gaps. On a professional level, he gained direct knowledge of new methodologies and learning tools that he intends to incorporate into his modules at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh.
For his home institution, this mobility opened doors for deeper Erasmus+ partnerships, potential joint modules and student exchanges. He has already begun discussions about formalising such collaboration in areas such as data science for development and business training.
Reflections and Messages
The city of Maribor itself added exceptional value to this experience. For the participants of the International Staff Week, it was a peaceful and inspiring environment for reflection and networking. Cultural evenings and informal gatherings with foreign colleagues enabled getting to know and learning from different educational systems.
In conclusion, Mr Rida says: 'This Erasmus+ mobility was not merely a learning exchange. It was a professional journey that strengthened the values of collaboration, innovation and lifelong learning. I warmly recommend such experiences to all educators who wish to grow beyond the classroom.'
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Source: Academia (24. 6. 2025). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
