From April 4 to 10, 2026, eight teachers from the “Marie Curie” Vocational High School of Chemical Technologies and Biotechnology in Razgrad participated in an educational mobility program under the “Erasmus+” program, held in Maribor, Slovenia, in partnership with MIITR – the International Institute for the Implementation of Sustainable Development, under Project No. 2025-1-BG01-KA121-VET-000312688. The main objective of the mobility was to exchange professional experience, learn about best European practices in vocational education and training, and prepare for upcoming student mobilities.
The program began with an official welcome from the MIITR team and an introduction to the project’s activities. During the mobility, the teachers had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Slovenian education system and visit the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Maribor. During the visit, they learned about the organization of practical training and internships, cooperation between the university and the business sector, as well as the university’s participation in international educational and research projects.
An important part of the program consisted of lectures on technological changes and innovations in the field of biotechnology, the challenges of globalization, modern teaching methods, and the role of microorganisms in life and science. Participants exchanged professional experiences with Slovenian teachers and visited laboratories and organizations where students complete their practical training.
In addition to professional activities, the mobility program included a rich cultural program. The teachers explored the capital, Ljubljana, and were impressed by its iconic landmarks – the Dragon Bridge, the Triple Bridge, and the historic center – as well as by the city’s sustainable development and ecological character. Free time in Maribor provided an opportunity to visit the riverside promenade along the Drava River, the world’s oldest grapevine, and the Botanical Garden of the University of Maribor, which impressed the participants with its rich biodiversity and excellent examples of experiential learning.
At the end of the mobility, a closing meeting was held with the MIITR team, during which the results of the implemented activities were discussed, impressions and ideas for future collaboration were exchanged, and upcoming student mobilities were planned.
Participation in the mobility program helped enhance the teachers’ professional competencies by providing them with valuable insights into innovative teaching methods, effective collaboration between educational institutions and the business sector, and the organization of practical training in Slovenia.
*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.