Description
The PARAGEO project aims to establish and support multilateral institutional cooperation among University of Žilina, Comenius University and University of Iceland. During the project balanced partnership of experts from different scientific disciplines will be created focusing on one scientific problem – geohazards. In the project some teaching materials will be developed for interdisciplinary education for students and PhD students of several study programmes of partners involved. The project includes mobility of students and PhD students with the aim to strengthen their practical training and improve their knowledge in field of geohazards in advanced way and in an international environment. Academic staff will be supported to perform common scientific work with the aim to prepare basis for further collaboration beyond the project and publishing of outcomes in scientific journals and at scientific events as well. Mobility of research staff will enable to create a platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise about individual geohazards and mitigation measures that can ultimately lead to prevention or full preparedness to these threatening hazards. Dissemination, communication and exploitation of the project results will be set out as one of the major activities within PARAGEO together with research and educational activities. They will make the results of the project available to the stakeholders and to the wider audience.
Summary of project results
PARAGEO project helped to establish and enhance collaboration between University of Zilina, Comenius University in Bratislava and University of Iceland. Project supported sharing and exchange of knowledge and promoted professional cooperation. The contact between University of Iceland and Slovak universities was not there in forehand in the fields of geology and geotechnical engineering. PARAGEO had collaborative multi-disciplinary approach to delivering new educational tools and research methods, developed, led and delivered by practising researchers and teachers from all institutions.The main focus was the organization of 2 practical trainings, which consisted of seminars, excursions and field trials. 3 Icelandic students and 3 PhD students, together with 4 academic staff, underwent a week-long training in Slovakia accompanied by Slovak students, PhD students and academic staff. 1 student, 7 PhD students and 7 academics from Slovakia also attended a week-long training session in Iceland, accompanied by Icelandic partners. Several teaching aids, including the "Handbook on Geohazards" and the e-Learning Website, were prepared from the trainings.1 students, 5 PhD students and 7 academics from Slovakia and Iceland attended also individual mobilities with the aim of consultations, training and field surveys. Based on the results of joint research, 9 joint scientific contributions were prepared and published at conferences or other national and international events.
Summary of bilateral results
Donor project partner was equal partner involved in all project activities.The contribution from the Icelandic site was preparation of a detailed field guide for the excursion in Iceland, guiding during the fieldtrips and individual mobility. The partnership has provided a new open contact between two countries and a better insight into various natural hazard problems, which these countries are dealing with and opened new pathways for collaboration in the years to come. The main project impact of the project are extended students’ knowledge of geohazards problems and established scientific collaboration among teachers.