The Successful Ongoing Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) at the University: Learning by Teaching
The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) continues to strengthen its international standing in the fields of education and research by running programmes that unite the academic and intellectual capacities of several universities. These initiatives equip a new generation of professionals with knowledge and practical skills in working with modern technologies.
From 23 September to 22 October this year, the Faculty of Pharmacy at LSMU hosted the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Creating Safe Cosmetic Products” for the fourth consecutive year. The programme highlighted the growing interest of future pharmacy specialists from abroad, as well as LSMU’s leadership in pharmaceutical product innovation and education in this field.
Students from Masaryk University (Czech Republic), San Jorge University (Spain), Charles University (Czech Republic), and the Medical University of Łódź (Poland) took part in this international initiative.
The Blended Intensive Programme “Creating Safe Cosmetic Products” is organised by the Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy at the LSMU Faculty of Pharmacy in cooperation with its partners – the Medical University of Białystok, the University of Tartu, San Jorge University, and Masaryk University. The main goal of the programme is to promote international collaboration and to create an environment in which specialists from different fields can share their knowledge and experience.
The BIP is based on innovative teaching methods that combine theoretical knowledge with practical training. Part of the programme is delivered through virtual lecture sessions, during which students share knowledge, discuss key issues, and engage in active debate. The other part consists of in-person practical sessions held at the Faculty of Pharmacy.
This year, in collaboration with professors, students learned the latest skin care formulation technologies in laboratory classes. They produced a variety of cosmetic and pharmaceutical forms – from skin cleansers to lip balms, shampoos, and hydrolats.
Throughout the programme, students developed cosmetic products and deepened their understanding of pharmaceutical technology and dermatology. During the practical sessions, they examined the effects of various cosmetic ingredients, assessed their safety, and studied dermatology and cosmetic research methods that help apply modern scientific solutions to cosmetics manufacturing. Students actively participated in seminars and laboratory work, analysed and assessed their own skin condition, and explored how scientifically based cosmetic products are created.
Inspired by Student Engagement and Creativity
This year’s participants showed great interest in the Faculty’s 3D pharmaceutical printer and in the innovative creams containing dermocapsules developed at the Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy. The students expressed their intention to share their newly gained knowledge of these technologies with peers and to build upon it in their Master’s theses.
Professor Jurga Bernatonienė, Head of the Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy and coordinator of the BIP, was delighted with the students’ creativity. The future specialists presented their project work in a highly original way: they organised quizzes, interactive surveys, and practical sessions for professors, thereby encouraging full audience participation.
Prof. Bernatonienė expressed her great satisfaction with the success of the BIP programme and the high level of interest and engagement shown by both students and the academic community.
A Strong International Team Brought Together
The programme brought together a strong international team of lecturers. On the LSMU side, the programme’s smooth implementation was ensured by a large group of academic staff: Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Ramunė Morkūnienė, Vice-Dean Prof. Valdas Jakštas, Dr Jurga Andrėja Kazlauskaitė, Dr Inga Matulytė, Dr Lauryna Pudžiuvelytė, Assoc. Prof. Giedrė Kasparavičienė, Assoc. Prof. Živilė Pranckūnienė, doctoral students Emilija Nemickaitė and Jolitė Stabrauskienė, Department Administrator Goda Seniūnienė, Specialist Ieva Židonytė-Kavaliauskienė, Art Therapist Neringa Jurė, Head of the Academic Mobility Division Žaneta Dičkutė, and International Programmes Coordinator Justina Vonžodienė.
“Every year we observe encouraging trends: the programme continues to grow and improve, attracting an increasing number of enthusiastic students and specialists who become true ambassadors of this initiative.
For students – future pharmacy professionals from various European countries – the BIP offers an opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge and practical skills, as well as a unique chance to collaborate with people from different cultural backgrounds, exchange ideas, and jointly seek innovative solutions. For our university specialists, it is a chance to share their expertise in an international environment.
We aim not only to train professionals but also to help them become future leaders in the fields of cosmetics and pharmacy. At the same time, the programme itself has become a unifying and educational experience for us as well. I am delighted to see it grow stronger every year,” said Prof. Bernatonienė,” said Prof. J. Bernatonienė.