Unlocking the Real Value of AI and Big Data Analytics in Business
Unlocking the Real Value of AI and Big Data Analytics in Business
Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme hosted by Varna University of Management, Bulgaria
Academic year 2025/2026
Objectives of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
This is targeted at university students at all levels of higher education in the field of Social Sciences or Computer Sciences who are keen and motivated to delve into the complexities of artificial inteligence (AI), big data analytics, business intelligence/data warehousing, data mining, online analytical process (OLAP) encompassing areas such as data interpretation, application of analytics and data science in business functions, marketing analytics, human resource management, and the implications of data use in various contexts. This course targets individuals eager to develop their expertise in handling, analysing, and applying AI and data-driven strategies in diverse professional fields.
Learning outcomes of the BIP
Upon completion of the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate good understanding of getting real value from AI in analytics.
- Show good understanding how big data and AI work together.
- Display advanced understanding in leveraging diverse data sources and analytical techniques for informed decision-making across various sectors.
- Demonstrate sound knowledge of big data life cycle, online transaction processing (OLTP), online analytical processing, business intelligence/data warehousing, data mining, application of data science in financial analysis, and human resource management.
- Demonstrate skills in data handling and statistical evaluations.
- Analyse and discern the effectiveness and limitations of different data analytics methods.
- Apply Marketing Analytics and demonstrate the modern marketing mindset.
- Communicate complex data-driven decisions and their implications effectively to a wide range of audiences.
Indicative content
- Business intelligence/data warehousing
- Big data analytics – overview
- Data lake, data mart, data warehousing
- Data mining – concept, features
- Big data life cycle
- Big data visualisation
- OLTP
- Main methodologies that incorporate the development of a data warehouse
- OLAP
- Understanding machine learning and AI
- AI and analytics
- How big data and AI wotk together – relationship beween AI and big data
- Data science and the financial analysis
- Data science and human resource management – data-driven human resource management
- Modern marketing analytics and digital marketing.
Tentative timeframe
Physical component: 5 days in the period of 8 – 12 June 2026
Virtual component: 8 contact hours delivered in the period of 29 June – 3 July 2026.
Venue: Albena resort (approx. 30 km north of Varna)
Number of ECTS: 3
Profile of BIP participants
Students from EU Member States and third countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme, who are enrolled in programmes in the field of Social Sciences, incl. Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, or Computer Sciences and IT.
Eligibility of students
- Be registered as full-time students of any of VUM’s current or potential new partner universities located in the EU, Norway, or Turkey.
- Have applied for and obtained approval for participation in an Erasmus+ short-term mobility granted by their home institution
- Have English language proficiency corresponding to at least level B1.
Minimum BIP requirements
Number of student BIP participants: min.15 students from sending institutions.
Application process
- BIP student participants must apply for an Erasmus+ KA131 BIP grant for short-term mobility at their home institution (please contact the International Relations Office of your University).
- The home institution nominates their student participant(s) – home institutions are encouraged to initiate an internal call.
- Students interested in the BIP are encouraged to establish contact with VUM International Mobility Team (erasmus@vum.bg) for any questions, support or invitation letters, needed for applying for the grant at the home institution.
- Deadline for nominations of students by their home institution to VUM: 31 March 2026
- Nominations are to be emailed to erasmus@vum.bg.
Erasmus+ grant for BIP participants to VUM
Basic subsistence costs: 79 EUR per day x 7 days (5 days on the spot + 2 days for travel) = 553 EUR
Possible top-ups: travel costs support, incl. green travel; inclusion top-up, if applicable.
Costs for travel, accommodation, and subsistence are covered by the Erasmus+ participants through their Erasmus+ grant.