BIP Conference at the Department of Social Work

Blended Intensive Program at MCI explores the digital future of social work together with international partner universities

As part of the Blended Intensive Program (BIP) “Learning from the Future: Social Work Perspectives on a Digital Society,” the MCI Department of Social Work invited international partner universities to spend a week discussing the digital future of social work together.

This international initiative, organized as part of the Erasmus+ program, brought together lecturers, PhD and master's students from MCI, the University of Eastern Finland, University College Dublin, and the University of Zagreb at MCI | The Entrepreneurial University® to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in Social Work. The aim of the program was to promote international exchange and develop innovative approaches for the future of Social Work.

The program combined specialist lectures, interactive workshops, and stimulating discussions. It began with an online session in which participants explored key concepts and current practices in digital Social Work. During the face-to-face event in Innsbruck, topics such as digital ethics and related dilemmas, artificial intelligence, digital care work and supervision, and the digital design of social services were addressed. Keynotes by internationally renowned guests added to the program's appeal and relevance.

In addition to lectures on specific topics, the program also offered plenty of opportunity for interactive exchange and networking. Discussions and group work provided a forum for sharing experiences and ideas on dealing with the ethical, technological, and practical aspects of digitalization, as well as its opportunities and risks, and for developing approaches to meet the challenges associated with it. The program was complemented by joint informal leisure activities, which further promoted international exchange and cooperation.

The exchange of current knowledge and innovative practices within the framework of the BIP enriched the academic and practical expertise for the department's own degree programs in Social Work (bachelor's program) and Social Work, Social Policy & Management (master's program). Through cooperation with international partner universities, the department was able to strengthen its global network and lay the foundation for future cooperation and research projects. The participants, including students and faculty members of the MCI, also gained valuable insights into a wide range of practical insights and research work from an international context, which comprehensively expanded their perspectives on and competencies in the subject area.

By organizing this program, the Department of Social Work underscored its strong interest and commitment to shaping Social Work in an increasingly digital society. The event not only laid the foundation for future collaborations and projects, but also helped to familiarize participants with theories and methods that appear indispensable for future challenges in a digital era.