Mobility project between Estonian University of Life Sciences and University of Stavanger

Project facts

Project promoter:
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Project Number:
EE10-0006
Target groups
Teachers, trainers, managers, leaders and other staff within higher education institutions
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€19,080
Final project cost:
€20,889
From Norway Grants:
€ 16,920
The project is carried out in:
Lõuna-Eesti

More information

Description

Group for mobility will consist of academic staff members of the Institute of Technology. Project aims to contribute in the following areas: - implementation of progressive teaching and learning methods, - enhancing the quality and extent of the cooperation between university of industry. What means could be implemented to attract companies do to tighter cooperation with scientist, - Modernization and re-evaluation of the curricula. Several specific subjects for further developments are recognized. Subjects like work flow planning and finite element analyses for machine design for example.

Summary of project results

In principal level the project was needed for two interrelated reasons. First, by increased competence and experience level of each participant the overall academic level of the organization is risen. Secondly, international activity and visibility is gained via the activities of the current project. Several new ideas were developed as a result of the project. Currently the modifications are in the development phase and to be implemented in the near future. Each participant managed to rise he’s own personal skill level in the particular subject of teaching, research or management. Long term influences are to be seen in the future. For sure every participant received experience and comparison of how to approach his or her specific task within the organization. In conclusion, the objective were met to satisfactory level. Considering the wide spectra of interests present in the study group it was inevitable that some were met to different level than others.

Summary of bilateral results

The only mentionable issue during the project was that our initial project partner (University of Stavanger) refused to participate in the late stage of the project. Reasons for doing though are still unclear especially things were running fine at the beginning when mutual proposal was put together for the project. Fall out of the original partner Stavanger University, can be because of the misunderstanding and misinterpretations of the programme objectives. It is objectively understandable that if one sees the training programme as a one way communication stream only it can be hard to justify the effort within the organization. E.g. what is the motivation for a Norwegian academic person just to organize and conduct a training for foreign persons, yes there is the organizational money involved but is that motivating by Norwegian standards. Planning and implementation of a training takes resources for sure, if one sees this as only giving without receiving anything – it is hard to argue with that. Success of the project depends if all parties see the potential benefits for themselves. Only positive keyword are in place to describe the cooperation with our project partner. They had motivation and will to complete the project as they were able to see the mutual benefits for both parties involved. Project partner contributed by making their specialists available for conducting our study visit. Also rooms for training were provided by partner. As a result of this project it is highly probable that the partnership will continue. For example, related activities are already planned in context of the same programme. In addition both parties are seeking opportunities to involve other partners from respective countries to take part in future cooperation. In wider perspective the partnership has a significant effect to the developments of the institute of technology as internationalization has been set as a priority development area for our organization.