Description
The Romanian Architects Order requires all architecture graduates to complete two years of practice in recognized architect’s offices. In Romania, it can be challenging for architecture students to find work placement and gain the necessary experience in order to become recognized architects after graduation. This project will give to two talented architecture students a 10 month work placement opportunity at the Norwegian architect’s office Moderno AS. In addition, the project will also see the exchange of geodesy (Earth Sciences) students to Norway for an enhanced learning experience. The Norwegian partner will involve the students in all ongoing tasks in their office giving them a valuable hands-on experience, and equipping them with a set of skills and knowledge. The two students undertaking the placement are expected to gain valuable work training, have their work practice count towards their recognition by the Romanian Architect’s Order, learn about Norwegian culture, society and language, and potentially receive an employment offer after graduation.
Summary of project results
Politehnica University of Timisoara (UPT) applied for students' placements and staff training. Students' placements were compulsory components of the curricula in architecture and geodesy. The experience acquired during the stage was used in the students' final diploma/ dissertation theses. Teachers' placements were focused on new procedures in their field of expertise and are currently applied in laboratory classes. In total, the project produced the following outputs: four outgoing student mobilities (two Master level architecture students and two Bachelor level geodesy students), one incoming teacher mobility in the field of Earth Sciences, and two outgoing staff training mobilities within Earth Sciences. The project aimed to improve skills and knowledge for beneficiaries in their field of education, for a rapid integration on the labor market of the fresh graduates, respectively for the modernization of the academic curriculum and the syllabi of several courses taught to master students in geodesy. The students got hands-on experience from all ongoing tasks in a Norwegian architect’s office, respectively in a laboratory, and hence gives the students a set of skills and knowledge (including Norwegian language skills) which will greatly improve their chances to find employment after graduation. The students also carried out diploma projects. Proposals to improve the topics taught to Romanian students were also defined. Beneficiaries worked together with hosts in the approached fields. New professional and cultural competences were the main benefit.
Summary of bilateral results
The donor partners performed an essential role in setting up the partnerships, facilitating and carrying them out. The bilateral relationships were mutually advantageous for the cooperating partners. On another side, prior to this project there were no agreements with institutions from the donor countries, so it was hard to estimate how high or low the interest will be from both sides. Since the number of candidates was higher that the number of places available, we became more interested in extending the partner network in these countries. A great volume of information was shared with the partners to facilitate exchanges, and two new agreements were signed after the beginning of the project. After cooperating for one year, all partners have a better understanding of each other. The people involved are looking into ways to enhance and further develop these connections, as well as to extend the network.