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Description
The aim of the project is to create a joint Czech-Norwegian doctoral programme in the field of water engineering and water management between Brno University of Technology and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), which will allow talented students to obtain a double degree and gain valuable experience in the field of science and education during their studies. The output of the project will be a program curriculum on the basis could be carried out the accreditation of the study program. In the case of the implementation of this study programme, there would arise a deep connection between the scientific and educational in this field, which could be a promising bridging for other specific technical fields. The target group of the project is students of master’s degree who are considering the study of doctoral programs. Graduates of such a field of study would be key players in addressing global challenges in this area such as climate change, water scarcity, drinking water quality, wastewater treatment, reuse of grey and wastewaters and etc.
Expected impacts:
• Interconnection of educational methods and techniques and in tertiary education in the field of water management leading to the production of highly qualified experts and scientists in the field of water engineering and water management.
• Developing and strengthening both bilateral and scientific cooperation between the two universities joint scientific projects, professional publications, educational materials, conferences, seminars, etc.
• Increased interest of gifted students in continuing their Ph.D. studies.
• Reduction of the outflow of students abroad for a more attractive academic degree - preservation of talents in the Czech Republic.
• The connection between Czech and Norway researchers and educators.
Summary of project results
The joint efforts resulted in writing a Curriculum for a cooperative Czech-Norwegian doctoral program in the field "Water management and water construction." The future introduction of such an exciting program would attract skilled and capable students to the field, make a comprehensive connection teaching between both universities, create an international link in research topics of doctoral studies, and overall increase the quality of doctoral studies. The main project content was the joint curriculum preparation, which final form was reached during the project. Within the curriculum, it was necessary to find the main differences between the two programs and create a compromise that would suit both universities. It was required to carry out a detailed description of the program containing: determine the time frame of the program, the composition of the board, the content and course of doctoral examinations, parameters of the dissertation and its approval process, draft contract, admission conditions, study financing methods, etc. All these program essentials were presented and discussed in personal visits, online meetings, and via email communication. Furthermore, it was necessary to find links on scientific topics, so part of the physical meetings was also mutual acquaintance with the research background and research topics conducted at both workplaces that specifically participated in preparing the curriculum. This document will allow us to move the idea of a joint project to final accreditation in the future, and we hope that we will be able to open the field within three years at the latest. In addition, the project enabled a close scientific connection between the two "water" research groups, especially in green infrastructures or wastewater treatment, the use of biochar for tunnel water treatment. Therefore, we expect the submission of joint research projects in the future. T The detailed curriculum made it possible to discuss the form of the future program, which offers the possibility of connecting both fields at the international level, with the academic senate of universities and persons complete for accreditation of fields at both universities. In the case of successful accreditation and opening of students'' fields, we assume that other fields will join the interconnection of NTNU and BUT Brno within the double degree.
Summary of bilateral results
The primary support was mainly the knowledge and skills of NTNU team members with the actual running of Cotutelle doctoral programs so-called joint degree and possibilities of their implementation because NTNU has a similar joint degree program with TU Berlin. We have also found many common scientific themes, which we further develop through research cooperation as a wastewater treatment using biochar, the creation of green urban infrastructure, municipal urban water treatment, extraction of struvite from wastewater, and much more. We want to continue our cooperation in the future, especially by submitting joint research projects, for example, within Horizon Europe, Norway funds, and others.