Educational initiatives

Topic description

Scope:

Specific challenge: This topic specifically builds on previous projects TrainHy, HyProfessionals and HyFacts and will work with current HyResponse (first responder training) and projects KnowHy (2013 call, e-learning platform for technicians training) as far as sensible and appropriate. Whilst the named projects concentrated on developing the basis of fuel cell and hydrogen-related teaching, for instance in the way of developing a curriculum, this project will now fill these structures by building a network of academic institutions that will develop and provide the adequate teaching material, also integrating vocational training institutes, industry, research organisations and other relevant actors along the technology value chains, which will allow regular updates and supply of relevant educational material. The project extends the scope in providing teaching materials for courses and e-learning and supplying these to the European lecturer community. Universities prepared to participate in the supporting network of the project will be able to access this material as a support to high quality teaching throughout Europe. The emphasis is on university (graduate and post-graduate) teaching and the equivalent level of vocational training (e.g. in processes of continuous professional development etc.).

The supply of high quality teaching and learning material is essential in building the vast human resources needed for further developing and commercialising fuel cell and hydrogen technology. The university type material can also be ‘downgraded’ and used for specific target groups (e.g. regulators, first responders etc.) and later also secondary schools since the curriculum structure has a general validity.

The described activities and approaches are in line with the educational activities in the area of fuel cells and hydrogen laid out in the SET-Plan Education and Training Roadmap (http://setis.ec.europa.eu/setis-deliverables/education-training-roadmap).

Scope:  The project will develop teaching and experimental material, also in cooperation with business and research organisations, for use in university and vocational training. This will be presented on a web-site in the sense of a source of curriculum structure, of teaching content, and as an e-learning platform. The goal is to integrate such content into (for instance) Massive Open Online Course platforms like OpenupEd or similar. This would be the subject of a further call in 2 to 3 years’ time. The project should include or cooperate with university networks with the goal of harmonising teaching materials and concepts and supplying high quality material, as well as for the development of joint degree programmes when of interest to the participating institutions. Activities will include developing access to research and industrial infrastructures in order to allow practical training in real environment. They shall incorporate concepts and elements of the roadmaps developed in other EU contexts, specifically the SET-Plan Education and Training Roadmap.

The project should also take stock of, and include where possible, educational material already produced elsewhere (e.g. as available from the US DoE) in order not to replicate existing material.

Expected impact:

•             Preparation of teaching material to cover the TrainHy curriculum in the form of presentations, scripts handbooks, lecture notes, videos, audio, simulations, tests, etc, for student learning and lecturer preparation; focus on learning outcomes; coverage of a reasonable number of EU languages to make sufficient impact on undergraduate teaching

•             Establishment of a network of universities (interacting also with partners outside of the project consortium) participating in quality assurance of teaching material and using the material in their (local) courses

•             Establishment of close links to business and research institutes in order to allow quality and timely update of the curricula, access to physical or virtual research infrastructure for training purposes, as well as mobility of students and staff

•             Mutual recognition of credit points for the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS according to the Bologna process) throughout this network

•             Installation of  a web-site hosting this teaching material for access by associated universities

•             Installation of a web-site suitable for e-learning or integration into existing, more general platforms and performance of prototype courses

•             Update on TrainHy curriculum development

•             Expansion of blueprints for experimental equipment developed in TrainHy

•             Delivery of educational courses (integration of modules in existing curricula, new courses, summer schools, hydrogen and fuel cell infrastructure dissemination etc.) as developed by TrainHy and HyProfessionals within the project duration (minimum for three years), development of joint–degree programmes when of interest to the participating institutions

•             Establishment of a concept how sub-sets of the material or adapted versions can be used for training of specialised staff, for instance with regulators, permit authorities, and certification bodies and any other organisations active in the fuel cells and hydrogen area; development of at least prototype courses covering this clientele

Development of a concept how the material provided by the project can be adopted for secondary schools and public displays as laid out in the SET-Plan Education and Training Roadmap; prototype material may be developed in the project but this is not an essential requirement.