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Description
The project involves Universitatea Politehnica Timisoara (UPT), Norwegian University College of Agriculture and Rural Development, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Reykjavik University. It considers engineering fields, either classic or transdisciplinary.
The four universities work to modernise their curricula, syllabus and delivering strategies in order to comply with the goals set up by the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition launched by the European Commission. The students and staff who will undertake the study, placement, teaching and training mobilities are the direct beneficiaries, while their peers, host/home university and the local communities are indirect beneficiaries.
The cooperation between UPT and Norwegian University College of Agriculture and Rural Development focuses on rural development and addresses contemporary challenges: rural depopulation and decline of the socio-economic contributions of changing agriculture to the rural economies, and looks for concrete solutions, which will contribute to an increase in community and individual capacity.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has an international focus. The broad areas of studies, the strong research capabilities and close links with the industry ensures that NTNU is able to take the role to create synergies and to foster the multi-disciplinary dimension needed in order to provide the new digital skills asked by the European strategy.
Reykjavik University (RU) will show UPT how to transform breakthrough technologies into real world solutions and foster local innovation in a globalized world. RU has a modern, interdisciplinary approach and offers programmes that cross business with computer science and with engineering. RU is at the forefront of research in Iceland in its focus areas and is member of the international CDIO university network, an innovative educational framework for producing the next generation of engineers
Summary of project results
The universities implied in the project are involved in modernising their curricula, syllabus and delivering strategies to comply with the goals set-up by the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition launched by the European Commission with the aim to modernize the education and training systems for the digital age, to improve the digital skills of all citizens to strengthen their active role in modern society and to support social inclusion. The presence of an architectural company from Norway was focused on the integration of future graduates on the international labour market.
The project comprised 5 student placements, 7 staff teaching and 11 staff training outgoing mobilities (1 student with special needs). The partner universities selected 4 teaching staff members for STA mobilities in UPT.
All the student participants reported positive effects of the mobility in terms of increased knowledge and skills in their future profession, more self-confidence, better language- and ICT skills.
Staff participants gained international experience and are decided to develop the academic and scientific cooperation with their host departments. One major international research project was won by one of the Romanian professors and his team in cooperation with NTNU partner after their mobilities in Norway: “Structural Integrity and Reliability of Advanced Materials obtained through additive Manufacturing, SIRAMM”- H2020. An important added value for UPT was brought by a team of project participants who develop new content in green engineering after their staff training mobilities.
The EEA partners reported an increased awareness of the Romanian education system, of UPT infrastructure and an improved experience in running mobilities.
Summary of bilateral results
Project partners were carefully selected based on expertize in specific fields, potential for developing future projects but, at the same time, former projects completed together.Reykjavik University has particular expertise in:-implementing ICT tools for an integrated management of the territory, lands potential and hazards, -geothermal energy,-management of water hazards and impact of climate change,-interaction of radiation with solids.The Romanian and Icelander experts shared knowledge with students and peers from abroad.The exchanges with HLB (Norwegian College for Agriculture and Rural Development) from Stavanger focused on:-the connection between engineering and economics and their impact in the real world,-entrepreneurship,-assessment of the vulnerability to climate change of historic buildings,-nature-based flood control.Moderno AS from Oslo helped students in architecture to become familiar with Norwegian urban regulations and design rules in Oslo area and involved them in the creative process, integrating some of their ideas in ongoing projects.NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology) provided access to its the infrastructure and human resources to facilitate the professional development of UPT students and staff. The preferred fields referred to:-entrepreneurial learning and curriculum development in additive manufacturing,-crack modelling method, theory of critical distances,-integrity of notched components made of polyurethane materials with different densities,-augmented / virtual reality applications,Participants shared their unique perspective and experience with students and staff from the host university, with the media, with staff from other universities participating in common events and continue to apply in their home universities what they gained in the mobility.UPT and EEA partners will continue working together inside and outside future EEA mobility projects.