2026 Businet Unité - Thinking Employability
Businet has hosted a student conference annually for over 20 years. The student event is designed to enabled students to interact with new people from different cultural backgrounds, to work and develop together in the beautiful city of Porto. Students have the chance to sample Experiential Learning (Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience and is more specifically defined as “learning through reflection of doing”) in a different environment. The concept of bringing students from different countries and institutes together, to network and learn, has been one that Businet has championed since 1997. The conference was hosted by Thomas More in Antwerp in 2024 and 2025. In 2026, it will be hosted by Instituto Politécnico de Gestão e Tecnologia - Isla Gaia in Porto.
The "Thinking Employability" event 2026 features a programme that enables students to:
- identify and explore Employability Skills
- encourage Reflective Thinking
- provide the opportunity to sample Experiential Learning
- introduce the concept of Emotional Intelligence.
- assist students to identify and develop skills and self-awareness through reflection
- have students attend sessions on intercultural competencies
- include a guided tour that will allow you to get to know Antwerp: its diamond centre; its art scene; its fashion; and its logistics
- be introduced to local companies / organisations
The programme will be delivered by members of industry and by academics in the disciplines that underpin the conference aims.
In Porto the conference events will be held at Instituto Politécnico de Gestão e Tecnologia - Isla Gaia (address: Rua Diogo de Macedo, nº192, Vila Nova de Gaia, 4400-107).
A “Businet for students” Basecamp environment will be made available before the conference to help delegates get maximum benefit from the event and to assist with communication between delegates.
There are 80 places available. Registrations close on 25 December 2025. The conference brings together students of differing nationalities from participating universities throughout the network.
Isla Gaia will organise a Sunday afternoon activity for the students so that they will get to know the city. On Sunday evening, we organise a global tasting event.
Students will be accommodated in twin / double / triple rooms for 4 nights at the B&B hotel Porto Gaia (Av. da República 1435, 4430‑999 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal) which is centrally located and just 1km from the campus.
Fact sheet
The Event
Unité (Businet Student Conference)
The Dates
Sunday 8 March (14.00) - Thursday 12 March 2025 (14.00)
Location of Accommodation
Students will stay in B&B hotel Porto Gaia (Av. da República 1435, 4430‑999 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal) which is centrally located and 1 km from the conference venue.
Location of Activities
Isla Gaia
Rua Diogo de Macedo, nº192,
Vila Nova de Gaia, 4400-107
Portugal
Target Students
Level 5 students (EQF) studying any discipline
Cost
€350
Which includes
- 4 nights in a centrally located 3-star hotel on a shared room basis.
- 4 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 1 evening meal
Travel to Porto is not included. Travel arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the individual, or their institution.
Students wishing to extend their stay are responsible for booking the additional nights themselves.
Limited non-residential spaces are available at a reduced cost. Please contact griet.barrezeele@ucll.be for more information.