New Perspectives and Inspiring Ideas

In early September, Maria Wiesmann participated in an Erasmus+ Staff Week in Romania. Under the theme “New Ways of Thinking,” the international professional development week focused on creative thinking, critical reflection, emotional intelligence, and innovative methods. The Staff Week offered an excellent opportunity to gain new perspectives, establish international contacts, and exchange ideas with colleagues from various universities. In an open and supportive atmosphere, an intensive dialogue emerged about education, communication, personal development, and the challenges of everyday university life. 

Diverse Training Program

The five-day program included a wide variety of topics and practical tutorials. The week began with an icebreaker to get to know one another, a discussion of participants’ expectations, and an introduction to the participating universities. The group also explored emotional intelligence and cognitive flexibility.

Another specialization was on critical thinking. Topics covered included perceptions and assumptions, as well as logical fallacies and cognitive biases. Dealing constructively with feedback also played an important role.

The third day focused on creative thinking. The participants explored creativity, flow, potential obstacles, and various methods for generating ideas. Both group methods and individual creativity techniques were tested.

A particular highlight was the day dedicated to design thinking. Participants learned how to view problems from different perspectives, develop ideas, create prototypes, and test potential solutions. The hands-on tutorials highlighted just how helpful this method can be in everyday university life and the workplace. Staff Week concluded with a group reflection on the learning journey, a feedback session, and the final graduation ceremony. 

Valuable Exchange and New Insights

The international exchange and conversations with the other participants were particularly enriching. The diverse experiences and perspectives led to exciting discussions and new insights for participants’ own work.

Maria Wiesmann describes a wonderful and inspiring experience that provided many new insights, not only professionally but also personally. Staff Week demonstrated how important international encounters, collaborative learning, and open exchange are for the further development of universities and their staff.

The continuing education program was led by experienced trainers and researchers from the West University of Timișoara and the European Academy of Innovation. The content was presented in a varied and practical manner, with ample opportunity for discussion and sharing personal experiences.

Workshop at the beginning of the semester on Thursday, October 15, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.

The experiences and content from the Erasmus+ Staff Week will then be shared with everyone. A workshop will therefore be offered at the start of the new semester for all interested parties.

In the workshop, selected methods from the fields of creative and critical thinking, communication, and design thinking will be presented and explored together. 

All interested parties are cordially invited to learn about the content of Staff Week, share their own experiences, and discover new ways of thinking together.