Munster Technological University (MTU) hosted two EU Commission funded Erasmus+ partnerships meetings from the 10th to the 12th of May. The partner meetings were also combined with workshops for MTU teaching staff.

The Teachers of Tomorrow (TOTO) project, which focuses on training for teaching staff from all levels with dance, theatre, and music, has partners in Austria, Germany and two partner organisations from Italy. MTU is also a partner in the project, Dr Kristin Brogan, Lecturer and EU project co-ordinator, is the MTU representative. During the meeting teachers from all partner countries presented how activities from the three workshops in Italy and Germany could be used with their students. Elena Mignosi from the university of Palermo in Sicily offered two "Dance Movement" workshops to MTU staff after the partnership meeting.

The second Erasmus+ partnership meeting hosted at MTU was for the JUGGLE project. This partnership involved the cooperation of organisations from Finland, Estonia, Poland, the Netherlands, and Ireland, represented by the UNESCO Chair at MTU. During the three days on campus, participants led workshops in social circus skills for MTU staff from Cork and Kerry campuses as well as community leaders and educators. They also participated in outdoor learning workshops facilitated by MTU lecturers in the woods on the Kerry Campus and at the coast on Banna Strand.

One member of staff was quoted to say "I got presented new learning fields and I am eager to implement them in my professional life". Another stated that "The training exceeded my expectations".

Both partnerships met for a shared lunch provided by Hotel, Culinary and Tourism Department staff in the outdoor learning space of the MTU Kerry Campus followed by an indoor meeting to encourage future cooperation between these two groups who have a similar focus on teacher training.

For further information please consult the project website: https://teachersoftomorrow.eu/

The JUGGLE Project team (from L to R):Antti Leinonen (Finland), Jernej Mislej (Poland), Biene van Huizen (The Netherlands), Mikael Pursi (Finland), Pawel Burzala (Poland), Salla Ancker (Finland), Hanna Pakarinen (Finland), Reet Saareväli (Estonia), Heli Heimo (Estonia), Vilja Jyrinki (Finland),Teresa Bugajska (Poland), Liis Rüü (Estonia), Michael Hall (MTU, Ireland), Tomás Aylward (MTU Ireland).  FRONT ROW: Heidi Simisker (Estonia), Natalia Kacperska (Poland), Liisi Karydi (Estonia), Leena Linjama (Finland), Erwin Borremans (Finland).

TOTO project: Kristin Brogan (host), Elena Mignosi, Antonella Talamonti, Alberto Grilli and Salvatore Giambertone.
Teachers: Maria Bologna (Italy/Palermo), Roberta Pizzullo (Italy/Palermo), Klaus Didio (Germany), Brigitte Habermann (Germany), Marilena Benini (Italy, Faenza), Nadine Mathis (Austria), Linda Liebig (Austria), Michael Schwarzinger (Austria) and Trina Scott (Ireland)