Funded by the European Commission through the KA2 – Capacity Building for Higher Education action of the Erasmus+ programme, MechaUz will have a duration of 3 years and be implemented between 15th November 2019 and 14th November 2022.
The main aim of the project is to develop Bachelor’s degree program in the field of Mechatronics and Robotics; to improve the mechatronics and robotics specialist’s knowledge in Automation sphere, to support the capacity building of higher education institutions and to make contribution for the sustainability of Mechatronics and Robotics. Likewise, the project aims to maintain further cooperation between HEIs of EU and Uzbekistan in order to ensure quality of higher education continuously
This project provides great opportunity to involved HEIs to teach their students and train their faculty/staff internationally. Most importantly, an exemplary continuous education program in Mechatronics and Robotics will be developed in Uzbekistan upon successful completion of the project.
The project will be focused on the modernization of the existing Bachelor programs to expand the knowledge of the students in the field of Mechatronics and Robotics. BS students will the main beneficiaries of the project since the specialists in this field are highly demanded in the modern technological enterprises. The graduates will be able to operate the robotized industrial lines, design and maintain the complicated electronic equipment and robots. Students will obtain the cutting-edge knowledge and competencies and will meet the requirements of the industry and current trends of industrial development in Uzbekistan, thus increase their competitiveness in the labor market.
The project foresees the number of trainings for professors and researchers of the Departments of Mechanical and Computer engineering to improve the teaching and professional skills. Trainings organized within the project will rise significantly their qualification. The network of teachers and researchers as well as representatives of industry involved all consortium partners will ensure their continuous professional growth and will allow to share the teaching and research materials and information.
Its Consortium is composed of 13 institutions, of 6 are partner institutions from EU countries (Greece, Portugal, Latvia and Lithuania) and which 7 are Universities from Uzbekistan and Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Aims of the project will be reached through building up following objectives of the project:
This objective is achieved from following outcomes:
Description
Analysis and comparison of teaching systems and conditions in the field of Mechatronics in Higher Education system of EU and Uzbekistan. Discussion and approval of the general plan for bridging the gap amongst EU and Uzbek HEIs in the field of Mechatronics and allocation of responsibilities between consortium Partner HEIs. The study will also include the courses given at EU partner universities. This stage will be compiled from unique inputs of different partner institutions within the project. All required information and materials will be available to all partners before the kick-off meeting.
Task:
Description
This work package will focus on the development of new bachelor’s program, curriculum and teaching materials in the field of Mechatronics. A new scheme of cooperation in the field of mechatronics between universities and training centers of manufacturing enterprises is developed and implemented in respective project regions. Regulations on continuous education, a new generation of textbooks and manuals for Bachelor’s degree in the field of Mechatronics are developed. These textbooks and manuals will be developed based on systematic teaching approach and methodology of International Labour Organization. Main outcomes of the project will be a full Bachelor of Science curriculum with 12 courses compatible with European standards.
Task:
Description
Intensive Training courses for Uzbek teachers will be carried out in different ways. Uzbek teachers will attend advanced Mechatronics trainings and seminars, which are regularly conducted at European partner HEIs. They will also follow and observe undergraduate and postgraduate courses conducted at EU partner institutions and take part in active teaching processes to be acquainted with the expertise of their European peers and practice learned teaching methodologies. Upon establishment of mechatronics laboratories, training centers and development of new curriculum and teaching program, EU partners/teachers will arrive in Uzbekistan and provide hands on training to Uzbek teachers on the new courses and laboratory equipment and sent guest lectures to respective Uzbek HEIs.
Task:
Description
LABs, Central Training Centre at AndMI will be established along with the Mechatronics Society of Uzbekistan. Laboratories will be equipped with modern and specialized equipment based on the outcomes of need analysis of industrial enterprises and as well as the participating HEIs. The primary objective of the Mechatronics Society of Uzbekistan will be promoting research, development and engineering science in the field of Mechatronics in Uzbekistan and disseminate the results of project.
Task:
Description
Quality control strategy group of the project is established. EU professors lead the package and work closely with teachers and relevant departments from Uzbekistan. Quality Control will be based on feedback from course attendees. Quality reports and feedback from EU partner professors are regularly prepared. Moreover, students will be involved in quality control and monitoring. Issues of monitoring will be addressed during the visits and in the interim and annual reports on the implementation of the project team. If the results of monitoring will point to the impossibility of timely achievement of the targets, it is necessary to identify the reasons for this and to implement corrective measures.
Task:
Description
The project coordinator in collaboration with project partners will ensure proper dissemination of results through the project website, websites of participating HEIs, conference presentations and other means. The Steering Committee in collaboration with project participants will set up, administer and monitor a Dissemination Plan. A project website and special communication platform is developed and brochures, booklets and reports are published both in English and Uzbek languages, and publications for mass media in Uzbekistan are prepared. There is an official opening of the project Training Centre at AndMI in Uzbekistan with guests from ministries and agencies. Final conference on “Development of Continuous Education Program in Mechatronics” in 2021 will be held by inviting guests from ministries, agencies, respective industries, public and government entities, EU Embassy representatives and local mass media.
Task:
Description
Steering committee within the project will be established with one representative from each partner institution of the project. Financial issues of the project will be managed by the grant-holder institution and all decisions of the project will be made in open and democratic discussions amongst partners. The consortium, as a group, will plan and define progress through a decision making process based on regular contact (via meetings, tele-conferences, e-mails, skype, phone). Project Management Group will be established with one representative from each partner institution. All decisions of the project will be made at the project management board's coordination meetings that will be planned twice a year. Besides this, in case of urgent conflict resolution, the steering committee will govern (online) the case aiming to reach consensus. In case consensus is not reached, a majority vote approach will be adopted.
Task: