European Project Semester EPS 2009 Avans Hogeschool University of Professional Education Den Bosch, The Netherlands EPS coordinator: Lourens Boot

Summary 1.What is EPS ? 2.Why participate in EPS ? 3.EPS program at Avans 4.EPS projects at Avans 5.How is EPS structured ? 6.Supporting courses 7.Why attend EPS at Avans ?

What is EPS ? 1.European Project Semester is for third year students 2.Developed by Engineering College of Copenhagen (IHK); offered since EPS is offered by Avans Hogeschool in Den Bosch since Autumn 2002; recently also by Oslo, Lodz, Kiel, Valencia and Barcelona. 4.Project based learning on an integrated engineering design and business project 5.First 5 weeks: short, concentrated courses 6.Next 15 weeks: project work (through end of January) 7.30 ECTS credits semester (Courses 6,5 + project 23,5)

Why participate in EPS ? Industry needs professionals with multi- disciplinary and multicultural project work experience Great personal experience and broadens your horizon Learn to work in a multi-cultural and multi- national group Make many new international friends

EPS - Characteristics Work on an internationally oriented project, with a local company Most projects have a multi-disciplinary focus: – Technical / Commercial – ICT / Commercial – Technical / Logistic Multi-disciplinary and multinational groups of students

EPS 2009 Program offered at Avans When:- From 26 August – 29 January - Max five groups / 25 students Where:Avans, University of Professional Education in Den Bosch, The Netherlands Language: English

Participants in EPS 2008 Savonia Polytechnic, Finland - 3 students Fachhochschule, Kiel, Germany- 2 students Polytechnic Valladolid, Spain- 1 student Universidad de Barcelona, Spain- 3 students ESIEE, Paris- 4 students Universidad Polytech de Valencia- 1 student Technical Univ. of Lodz, Poland- 2 students Avans Technical Univ, Holland- 4 students Telecom Bretagne, Brest- 2 students Total:22 students

EPS 2008 students

EPS projects at Avans Formation of project groups before arrival Carry out an industrial project, at a company, in teamwork Company pays monthly salary for minimal 2 students (ca € 700 divide over all group members)

Examples of EPS projects Research Spanish, French, Polish and German market for new applications for QC Vision system (SPC in Nieuwkuijk) Analyse the internal organization and evaluate opportunities for entering the German market (Hanenberg, Nistelrode) Evaluate the installation of weightmeasuring devices in the production line of candy bars (Mars, Veghel)

How is EPS structured at Avans ? Wk 0 Introduction Avans and EPS Wk 1- 5Supporting courses75% Project work25% Wk 6 -20Project work90% Courses (English+Dutch)10%

How is EPS structured ? (2) Wk 0+7Cultural & social activities Wk 10Interim report Wk 14Social activity Wk 20Submission final report Wk 21Presentation end report EPS graduation ceremony

Social activities

Supporting Courses: - International Teambuilding - Product design engineering - Project management - Cross-cultural business behaviour - International marketing & Market research - European law and intellectual property rights - English and Dutch

EPS assessments Courses – Total 6,5 ECTS Project – Total 23,5 ECTS Written end report:45% - Technical content 25% - Commercial value 20% Project execution:35% - Evaluation tutor + Peer assessment Oral presentation final report:20%

The beautiful city of Den Bosch

Why attend EPS at Avans in Den Bosch ? (1) Live in a very centrally located country: close to Germany, England and France Get acquainted with Holland, its culture and its business community Den Bosch is a great city to live!

Why attend EPS at Avans ? Reactions from some EPS 2008 students: – “EPS was an awesome experience and my English skills really impoved” – “It was an incredible experience, learned a lot and met a lot of really nice people” – “The experience to work in a company, with many foreign students was very valuable Separate EPS work room (incl 8 computers)

Why participate in EPS at Avans in Den Bosch ? (3) Work at a modern university, five minutes walk from train station Separate EPS workroom (incl 8 computers with internet access) Large modern library with many additional computers, printers and workrooms

See you at Avans in Den Bosch! Final date for registration: April 30th, 2009! Contact for more information: Application form available: Avans website: In addition to application form, you need to mail us: – Your curriculum vitae (resume) – Letter of motivation