Short description
The goal of this week is to retrofit a pedal car to run on battery and control it thanks to your smartphone. Our main focus is to provide you with hands-on experience of building up a running web app and kart within the time frame of one week. Therefore, theoretical explanations will be kept to a minimum to let you practice, discuss and experiment as much as possible: this is your project.
This project will provide you with a sneak peek into several key aspects of electromechanics and automation: from 3D printing your own gears to controlling your motor and servomotor thanks to Bluetooth communication.
We also have a partnership with SAMK (Pori, Finland) who organizes another international week in Pori (Finland) where you can continue to work on your kart. The goal of this second week is to take the project to the next level and make the karts semi-autonomous. Students can enroll in one or both weeks.
A look back at previous edition of the international week
Here is a summary of the 2024 combined program edition (1-week program in Belgium and 1-week program in Finland)
Learning outcomes
Here are some key skills you'll need.
Develop technical skills
- Learn how to retrofit a vehicle and control it with your smartphone
- Learn about servo motors, electrical motors and their controllers
- Learn about UART and bluetooth communication (BLE)
- Learn about microcontrollers (Arduino)
- Learn how to create a web app to pilot your small car
Develop soft skills
- Creativity
- Team Work
- Going out of your comfort zone
- Develop your cross-cultural skills
- Sense of community
- International mindset
Work in an international environment
- Work in international teams with students from different institutions over the world
- Develop a better intercultural understanding
- Practice your English
Have fun
- Discover Brussels
- Visit the Belgian Beer World or Choco Story
- Teambuilding activities
Practical information
Format
BIP = Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (possibilities to get European fundings for non-Belgian students – please contact your International Office for further information)
Non-Belgian and eligible students will automatically be considered BIP participants.
Price - 300€
This fee includes:
- Meals (breakfasts, lunches and 1 supper)
- Accommodation (5 nights from 1 to 6 February 2026)
- Social program and material
Invoices will be sent individually to the students unless otherwise specified by the partnering institution.
Registration before 1 December 2025
The International Office of the sending institutions may download this form and return it completed by email to internationalweeks@ephec.be in order to pre-register the students (before 1st December). A registration link will then be sent out to the students.
Once the students are registered through the online form, students are registered to the programme and no refunds will be made if cancellations are communicated later than 1 December 2025.
This week has a limited capacity due to limited material. The nominations must be validated by EPHEC International Office before the registration linkcan be shared with students. Thank you for your understanding.
Target and requirements
The week is intended for students who master basics in Automation, Electromechanics, Mechatronics, IT, etc.
Agenda
Dates and location:
- Online session: 27th of January at 4 pm (Brussels time) - to be confirmed a couple of weeks before
- On site sessions: 2-6 February 2026 - University College Ephec, Brussels (Galiléo Campus), Belgium
Contact
A question about pedagogical content? Send an email to Hugo DELANNOY h.delannoy@ephec.be - Gauvain VAN LAREBEKE g.vanlarebeke@ephec.be
Other? Send an email to internationalweeks@ephec.be
FAQ
EPHEC will book the accommodation for students from foreign institutions (included in the 300€ registration fees) for 5 nights from 1-6 February 2026.
Name and address of the hotel will be communicated later.
Included in the price: Breakfast, bed linen and towels
Type of room: shared rooms or dorms
Check in / Check out: Check in is generally from 15:00 and check out until midday but this will depend on the hotel booked.
The students themselves must book their own transportation to Brussels, as soon as possible.
Arrival must be scheduled on Sunday at anytime (activities will only start on Monday morning, no activity scheduled on Sunday).
Departure should be scheduled on Friday afternoon/evening (activities will end around 13h, Brussels National Airport called Zaventem is at one-hour-distance by public transport, 30-minutes ride by taxi).
Your laptop, a culinary specialty from your country (for international aperitif), and your curiosity
Rue Royale 336, 1030 Schaerbeek at 9AM on Monday 2 February 2026 morning.
Reminder: there is no activity organized on Sunday.
Your hostel is located a 10 minute-walk from our EPHEC Galileo Campus where activities will take place. You will receive on Monday morning a welcome bag with some surprises, among which some public transport tickets to be used on Brussels public transport (metro, tram, bus STIB). Nevertheless, you will have to pay for the ticket to get to our campus from your hostel on Monday morning.
The Hostel is just a few minutes’ walk from the Botanical Garden and its must-see cultural center.
The city’s cultural attractions are within easy reach.
Local sights:
• Place du Grand Sablon: 15mn by bus
• Grote Markt - Grand Place – 17mn by metro
• Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert – 16mn by metro
• Place Sainte Catherine – 18mn by metro
• Royal Park – 9mn by metro
• Magritte Museum (and other Museums) – 12mn by metro
• Belgian craft beer – everywhere
• Rue Neuve (shopping street) – 15mn by foot
Nothing specific, but more information will be provided during the online session organized one week before the start of the week in Brussels (do not miss it !).
Yes! Whether you are Belgian or not! The purpose of an international week is also to develop international relationships with other participants.