Description
PWSZ in Tarnów has been active in the educational field of „Environmental protection” for 15 years. However, the general academic profile no longer corresponds to the current needs of the labor market. Therefore, two new specialities will be implemented - “Renewable energy and waste management” and “Protection and management of natural resources”- for which the largest need on job market is anticipated in the near future. The project will consist in implementing three semesters and preparing new courses for the three remaining semesters. Additionally, conversion of the programme from general-academic profile to practical profile will be performed. New laboratories will be created and old ones improved. An intensive English language course for students will permit the teaching of some courses in English and an exchange of students with Norwegian partner, which will initiate internationalization of the studies. The lecturers will be trained in using e-learning platform, which will modernize teaching.
Summary of project results
Just before the project started there was a decision about the new curriculum in “Environmental Protection” studies, with two specialties "Renewable energy and waste management” and “Protection and management of natural resources”. The project was needed for proper implementation of the program and further improvement toward the University's practical profile. The new curriculum required renewing material basis for teaching (new labs, books, field equipment). The new curriculum has been successfully implemented, laboratory of renewable energy has been organized, as well as meteorological and photovoltaic stations. The available monitoring laboratories have been equipped to ahigher standard. Cooperation between PWSZ in Tarnów and Høgskolen i Hedmark in Norway has been established thanks to bilateral visits of staff and students. A group of students participated in an additional intense course of English (25 students), additional field training on forest animal life (20 students). Moreover, 16 Polish students and 8 Norwegian students with two staff members on each side participated in a week-long program in Polish national parks (Białowieża and Biebrza Parks), with 5 lectures by leading experts on wildlife management and nature protection. Another 10 Polish students visited Evenstad Campus at Høgskole i Hedmark, Rondane and Dovrefiell National Parks and Oslo. Polish students participated in 5 lectures by Norwegian experts and were trained in practical skills by Norwegian students. The student exchanges allowed for better understanding of nature protection and culture in both countries. A conference on “Renewable energy and nature protection” was organized for students (bachelor, master and PhD level) with 80 participants from 18 research centers in Poland. The students delivered 25 articles that have been published in a conference book (250 pages, just in press). Practical workshops took place during the conference on AutoCAD and Gimp programs. Another conference, concluding the project and also devoted to renewable energy and nature protection, will be organized 11 days before the project end. A booklet summarizing the project, with written and photographic documentation, will be distributed to disseminate the project results.
Summary of bilateral results
Thanks to the project the PWSZ in Tarnów acquired (i) a new practical profile of studies; (ii) exchange of students first time in 16 years history of environmental protection studies at PWSZ in Tarnów; (iii) improved material basis for teaching; (iv) first conferences organized by the Department of Environmental Protection. In the opinion of students and staff, the project has breathed a new life into environmental protection studies at PWSZ in Tarnów. Cooperation between PWSZ in Tarnów and Høgskole i Hedmark in Norway has been established thanks to bilateral visits of staff, students from Norway visiting Polish national parks together with Polish students and Polish students visiting Høgskole i Hedmark and having training with Norwegian students. These are sustainable results. The student exchanges between the Norweigna and Polish partner allowed for better understanding of nature protection and culture in both countries. Comment to partner search: All high education institutions in Norway were checked during project proposal preparation and the one overlapping best in research and education was chosen. Than the agreement was established by email correspondence. The first personal contact took place during staff exchange in September 2015.