Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen successfully launched “The Resilient Educator: Holistic Approaches for Preventing Burnout”, bringing together students and academic staff from 10 partner universities across Europe.
Organised by the Faculty of Education at Shumen University, this international Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) under Erasmus+ explores holistic approaches to supporting educators’ well-being and preventing burnout.
Participants were welcomed by the programme coordinators, Assoc. Prof. Plamen Petkov, PhD, and Prof. Sevdzhihan Eyubova, PhD, from the Faculty of Education at Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen.
The university hosted representatives from Osmaniye Korkut Ata University (Turkey), Kauno kolegija (Lithuania), Jan Grodek State University in Sanok (Poland), the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), École Européenne du Travail Social (France), Matej Bel University (Slovakia), the University of Applied Sciences “Baltazar Zaprešić” (Croatia), European Research University (Czech Republic), Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), the University of Osijek (Croatia), and St. Kliment Ohridski University (North Macedonia).
Objectives of the International Cooperation
The programme addresses one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary education: mental health, emotional resilience, and the prevention of professional burnout. During the programme, participants exchanged knowledge, experience, and good practices for coping with stress and uncertainty in the teaching and learning process, combining academic lectures with interactive training sessions.
The programme was organised by the Faculty of Education at Shumen University. It combined an online session with a five-day physical component in Shumen, taking place from 12 to 16 October 2026. The programme includes academic workshops, practical activities, and a cultural programme.
Practical Training and Cultural Activities
The online component began with a virtual meeting entitled “How to overcome confusion and uncertainty in the process of teaching?” led by Assoc. Prof. Plamen Petkov, PhD.
The in-person programme in Shumen started with an official opening ceremony, followed by workshops focusing on key aspects of educator well-being. Assoc. Prof. Plamen Petkov, PhD, delivered a lecture entitled “Frustration and Reactions as a Result of Frustration,” exploring the psychological aspects of frustration and the ways individuals respond to it. The programme also featured a session on good practices in Bulgarian schools, delivered by Chanita Valcheva-Todorova, PhD.
Over the following days, participants took part in practical training sessions exploring the use of art as therapy and strategies for managing stress factors, led by Prof. Sevdzhihan Eyubova, PhD, and Assist. Mihaela Toncheva. Special attention was also given to the role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in promoting well-being, presented by the incoming academic staff in the BIP Dr. Mehmed Şanverdi and Dr. Nursel Yilmaz.
The social and cultural programme included an organised visit to the Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument. One of the final days featured the workshop “Sport, Nature and Burnout,” led by Senior Lecturer Hristiana Draganova, which took place outdoors in Shumen Plateau Nature Park.
The final day concluded with the interactive session “Burn Down the Burnout,” a closing discussion, and an official certificate-awarding ceremony for all participants.
| Публикувано на 26/10/2026 |