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Description
The project is a response to the needs of industry 4.0 in the area of VET, aimed at meeting the needs of modern industry, as well as ensuring sustainable competitiveness and social justice. The project’s objective is to develop high-quality vocational education and training program for second-cycle students. It focuses on innovation, digitization and use of virtual technologies in higher-level vocational education and training, considering, among others, the dual model of teaching and cooperation between higher education institutions and employers. The project will involve 32 people: academic personel, industry representatives and students. The project aims to ensure that the developed vocational education and training program that will provide young engineers with the knowledge and skills needed for post-COVID-19 crisis reconstruction and recovery. The project will create new VET programmes based on the common European reference framework. Therefore, the vocational education and training program developed in the project will be consulted with the partners from Norway and Poland (Norwegian academic partner and partners from industry), in terms of their level of students’ academic preparation and compatibility with the needs of modern industry. The project aims to increase the availability of industrial internship programme, as well as to improve the quality and image of higher-level internship programmes. As a result, the beneficiaries of the project (students) will have scheduled internship before obtaining professional specialization and will complete engineering projects under the developed education programme. The project focuses on developing vocational education and training programmes in relation to economic and social needs, establishing closer cooperation with businesses, adapting educational offer to current needs of the labour market. In terms of modern technological and civilization transformations, the project is in line with the philosophy of VET 4.0.
Summary of project results
The "VET Education 4.0 for Industry 4.0" project implemented by the Lublin University of Technology was an initiative responding to the dynamically changing job market requirements in the era of Industry 4.0. Its main goal was to adapt vocational education and training to the needs of modern industry, promote innovation and digitization, which had a direct impact on improving the quality and fitting the educational offer to market realities. The project envisioned a range of activities, such as the development and updating of educational programs, exchange of experiences and best practices with foreign partners, as well as developing regional and local development strategies in the context of vocational education.
The implementation of the project contributed to increasing the availability of industrial practices for students, which in turn had an impact on raising the quality of vocational education at a higher level. This initiative not only satisfied the current job market needs but also increased the competitiveness and innovativeness of the economy by providing qualified young engineers prepared to work under the conditions of Industry 4.0. Project activities focused on developing new, innovative training programs that were consulted with partners from Norway and Poland, both in terms of academic preparation of students and the needs of contemporary industry. In this way, the project contributed to strengthening international cooperation and knowledge exchange between universities and the industry.
The significance of the "VET Education 4.0 for Industry 4.0" project goes beyond the direct benefits for participants and partners. Its realization aimed at contributing long-term to the development of vocational education in response to economic and social needs, while also strengthening the cooperation between the educational sector and enterprises. The project also promoted inclusive and accessible education, paying special attention to equality of opportunities and non-discrimination, which is crucial for building a society based on knowledge and innovation. In the longer term, this initiative is expected to contribute to increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of enterprises, by better preparing young people to enter the job market, and also to foster the development of creativity and innovativeness among future generations of engineers.
Summary of bilateral results
Collaboration with institutions from Donor Countries, such as NTNU, has brought numerous benefits and influenced the quality of the program being implemented. The presence and engagement of institutions from Norway provided access to new, innovative teaching and research methods, which are at the forefront of global educational and technological trends. This partnership allowed for the exchange of best practices, specialized knowledge, and experiences in the field of engineering education, which was crucial for the development of a modern vocational training program that meets the needs of Industry 4.0. The main bilateral outcomes resulting from this collaboration are primarily the improvement of the quality and innovation of the educational offer at LUT, which was achieved through the inclusion of a new training program, developed in close cooperation with NTNU. This cooperation also contributed to a better understanding of global trends in engineering and technology, enabling students and faculty from both universities to develop competencies necessary in today’s job market. This partnership led to broader effects, such as increased international mobility of students and academic staff, strengthening mutual understanding and intercultural cooperation, and building a lasting network of contacts between the educational sector and the industry on an international scale. It was important to have an institution from the Donor Countries in the project due to their experience in implementing advanced technological and educational solutions. The presence of a partner from the Donor Countries allowed for a better understanding of cultural differences and educational systems, which is invaluable when designing educational programs with the global job market in mind. We plan to continue bilateral cooperation, as we consider it extremely valuable both for academic development and for increasing the innovativeness and competitiveness of our graduates in the job market.