The Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) titled “Elements and Health Impact of the Mediterranean Diet” was successfully completed. The programme was coordinated by the Postgraduate Programme in “Healthcare Management” of the Open University of Cyprus (OUC), in collaboration with the University’s Mobility Office. The BIP was held with the participation of 18 students and six (6) faculty members from six (6) universities abroad. The Scientific Coordinator of the BIP on behalf of OUC was Associate Professor Elpidoforos Soteriades.
Throughout the programme, professors from the participating universities, as well as technocrats and scientists from Cyprus, delivered lectures, conducted workshops, and led group activities, making use of the interactive distance learning methods developed and implemented by the Open University of Cyprus. The main objective of the programme was to foster knowledge and skills related to the multiple beneficial effects of the Mediterranean Diet on human health. The BIP focused, among other topics, on motivating dietary behavior change, on the design and implementation of epidemiological studies centered on the Mediterranean Diet, as well as on the physical and mental health benefits of this dietary pattern.
In addition to OUC, which acted as the coordinating institution, the implementation consortium of the BIP included six (6) other universities: University of the Aegean, International Hellenic University, Charles University, University of Calabria, University of Crete and United Arab Emirates University.
The programme was generously supported by the following sponsors and partners:
the “Oenou Yi” Winery, the Holy Metropolis of Kition, the Municipality of Larnaca, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, and the Anogyra Community Council.
The BIP experience proved to be extremely fruitful, enhancing not only the scientific knowledge and practical skills of the participants, but also intercultural collaboration and the establishment of strong bonds among the partnering universities.
