CROSSCOMP proposes a coherent, coordinated action plan in order to jointly address the multidimensional task of ensuring of the preconditions of a quality academic educational process in the field of automotive engineering sector in three higher education institutions from the cross-border area. The expected project results are presented below:
R1. A regional joint educational and research strategy in the field of automotive engineering is developed. Planning and development of a joint educational and research strategy in the field of automotive engineering, defining the long-term vision and the mission of the partnership, based on a detailed SWOT analysis of the sector in the cross-border area, to determine a strategic growth roadmap, by providing an adequate framework for: (a) Alignment and integration of education programmes and curricula with each other and within the larger context of regional and cross-border development of the automotive engineering sector; (b) Creation of a supportive environment for cross-sector coordination within all the automotive industry related faculties and departments; (c) Coordination between the three technical universities from the cross-border area and other academic institutions and agencies at all levels to achieve inter-related educational goals; (d) Structures, processes and mechanisms to facilitate multi-sector collaboration; and (e) Supporting financing and human resources arrangements.
R2. The number of automotive engineering academic programmes in the cross-border area is increased. Development of a new interdisciplinary master degree program “Hybrid and Electric Vehicles” at the Mechanical Engineering Faculty of the Technical University Gheorghe Asachi from Iasi. The main design focal points will be the degree program content, the program structure, the course balance (theoretical vs. practical), the co-operative component (interaction with the industry), the didactic concept, and knowledge sustainability. Current automotive technology and design considerations will be explored, with emphasis on experimental learning opportunities, engaging students in automotive hybrid and electric vehicles systems research, testing, design, and analysis. Students will develop essential managerial knowledge, skills and abilities assuring a comprehensive understanding of automotive operations ranging from research and development to industrial applications.
R3. Increased quality of automotive engineering academic offer in the cross-border area by improving the curricular content of 15 courses. A number of 15 courses at the existing high education programs will be upgraded in order to synchronize their curricula with the current level of innovation in the knowledge-intensive sector of automotive engineering, aiming to improve their quality and relevance, in line with the cross-border area automotive sector’s labor market needs. The disciplines with updated content will have applicative component related to the automotive engineering sector, and address specific subjects in correlation with the demands placed on future automotive engineers by industry. The outcome of this result will be the specific updated course guides.
R4. Increased quality of cross-border area academic infrastructure by the modernisation of 6 laboratories, 3 teaching amphitheaters, and 1 faculty IT infrastructure. 6 Laboratories are upgraded and updated with modern technology and equipment, in order to provide students with hands-on learning experiences helping them to develop their cross-disciplinary technical skills. 3 amphitheaters have improved learning conditions and modern equipment allowing the use of new technologies, including the use of mobile devices, and enabling the development of webinars and open online courses. A faculty has improved academic use IT infrastructure, to expand the use of new technologies and communication platforms and to allow greater interactivity between the teacher and the student, and between students both inside and outside the classroom, and also to enlarge the access to a wider range of materials in a variety of formats which can improve the quality and diversity of the curriculum.
R5. Improved technical and soft skills for 180 students from the cross-border area. A number of 30 students from all the three technical universities partners in the project attend the International Summer School, with a duration of 7 days. The focus of the Summer School will be on current trends in car development and research. The main proposed strands are lectures in automotive engineering and management, dedicated workshop on automotive engineering soft skills, company, lab tours, guest lectures, and networking events. At least 150 students participate at 5 automotive engineering webinars, hosting invited speakers from regional automotive industry leaders and from the international partners of TUIasi in automotive engineering. Each webinar will treat a major automotive engineering topic addressing the main innovations in intelligent efficient and safe mobility modern concepts.
R6. Improved teaching skills for 30 members of academic staff from the cross-border area universities. A number of 30 faculty members become fully effective in automotive engineering teaching and productive in the related research activities by participating at the Cross-border regional conference on automotive engineering academic teaching. The conference will have two main sections. In the first section, the curriculum design will be addressed, the main design focal points being the course content, the course structure, the course balance (theoretical vs. practical), the co-operative component (interaction with the industry and with the academic partners from the cross-border region), the didactic concept, and knowledge sustainability. In the second section, the project involved academic staff will receive dedicated training covering the main aspects of creating and managing student teams, large classroom techniques, difficult students, project-based learning and design, distance learning practices, and teaching using the new technologies.
R7. Improved project visibility using the Information and Communication plan. The proposed actions to reach project stakeholders and the general public, in order to raise their awareness regarding the activities and the results of the project. This will include information products, public events, press releases, specific visibility elements, project website and partners websites, social media activities, etc.