Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN THE FIRST TWO CYCLES OF EUROPEAN BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY STUDIES the case of Greece By D. Briassoulis, E. Nikopoulos & P. Panagakis Agricultural University of Athens

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process Implementation of new structure: A national quality assessment process has been introduced in Greece since August 2005: abiding with the relevant requirements related to the Bologna declaration complying with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process National quality assessment process: Internal evaluation Internal evaluation by academic staff and students every four years Final report based on published data, questionnaires, interviews, and discussions for each Department, submitted to the Quality Assurance Unit of each University External evaluation External evaluation by highly respected experts (from the abroad) in the pertaining field and representatives of the corresponding professional bodies every four or five years This external Committee will review the internal evaluation report using various methods (i.e. interviews, on-site visits, internet data bases etc.) and will prepare its final report published Both internal and external evaluation reports will be published to ensure the widest possible transparency of the national higher education system

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process National quality assessment process : The evaluation aims at assessing in detail the quality of: education and research education and research work conducted, administrative adequacy, social services provided to the students, broader synergies and cooperation with the public and/or private sector

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process National quality assessment process: The evaluations’ major scope: investigate the improvement achieved, the difficulties faced by each University and the appropriate measures to be taken. not a step towards accreditation or else imposition of financial penalties it does not lead to the formation of ranking lists of excellence. The overall quality assurance process is coordinated by an independent board: has administrative independence comprises of eleven members (four University Professors, four Technological Education Professors, one representative from the Greek Academy and the Ministry of Education and the president who has already been appointed by the Minister of Education).

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process Implementation of new structure: The ECTS System has been implemented by law (Φ5/89656/Β3, ): 60 ECTS for each completed semester There is still a big controversy and serious discussions with the participation of all major stakeholders over the issue of the equivalency of the first and second cycle degrees offered by the institutes of technology

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process Organization of the three cycles regarding the Biosystems/Agricultural Engineering: The programmes of studies in Engineering and Agricultural Sciences in Greece: Integrated two cycles programmes of studies, five-year duration, leading directly to the Second Cycle Degree (diploma or ptychio) Abide to the relevant framework of standards that allows them to be labelled by EURACE as “Integrated Programmes”

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process Organization of the three cycles regarding the Biosystems/Agricultural Engineering: AUA The integrated two cycles programme of studies of the Department of Natural Resources & Agricultural Engineering at AUA leads to the acquisition of a second cycle degree in Agronomy with a specialisation in: Water Resources Management Farm Structures and Agricultural Machinery Soil Science and Soil Chemistry Following the integrated two cycles programme of studies there is a post graduate programme leading to a post-graduate specialisation that is also considered compulsory for doctoral candidates (informal structured third cycle of studies)

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process Organization of the three cycles regarding the Biosystems/Agricultural Engineering: AUA The postgraduate and 3 rd cycle degrees offered at the Department of Management of Natural Resources & Agricultural Engineering at AUA are the following: Diploma of Specialization in the Management of Natural Resources (postgraduate degree) Diploma of Specialization in Agricultural Engineering (postgraduate degree) Doctorate (Ph.D.)

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process Organization of the three cycles regarding the Biosystems/Agricultural Engineering: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki The integrated two cycles programme of studies of the School of Agriculture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki awards a relevant, to the subject area, second cycle degree with various specialisations: Hydraulics, Soil Science Agricultural Engineering Following the integrated two cycles programme of studies there is a post graduate programme leading to a post-graduate specialisation (Diploma of Specialization ) that is also considered compulsory for doctoral candidates (informal structured third cycle of studies)

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 News on the Bologna process Organization of the three cycles regarding the Biosystems/Agricultural Engineering: University of Thessaly The integrated two cycles programme of studies of the Department of Crop Production & Rural Environment at the University of Thessaly awards a second cycle degree of Agronomy in Crop Production & Rural Environment. Following the integrated two cycles programme of studies there is a post graduate programme leading to a post-graduate specialisation (Diploma of Specialization ) that is also considered compulsory for doctoral candidates (informal structured third cycle of studies)

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 1 st Cycle

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 1 st Cycle Students in the 1 st cycle (first three years of integrated programme): lack sufficient research background Some elements of research approaches are incorporated in the teaching activities of the first three years: description of knowledge development for various subjects, introduction to research tools through laboratory exercises, evaluation of different methodologies developed by researchers to answer key technical and scientific questions

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 1 st Cycle Students in the 1 st cycle (first three years of integrated programme): There is no access to research positions (private or public) for the students completing the first three years of studies: they hold no degree they lack research competences and adequate knowledge It is not expected that the situation will change through the implementation of the Bologna process

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): 2 nd cycle graduates from Universities have research experience through their practical training, their thesis and a good theoretical background to built on it research competences Main way of building research competences for the graduates of integrated programmes remains the post-graduate program of studies that is required for all doctoral candidates (informal third cycle) 2 nd cycle graduates from professional/ market oriented programmes of studies (Technological Institutes) have no or limited research background and no or limited related competences.

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Practical training: Practical training: Practical training is compulsory: 4 months – two summer periods Practical training may be conducted at the Agricultural University Laboratories or (mainly) in private enterprises or organisations of the public sector (including research centres) Only few students joint research groups in the framework of their practical training (if they are accepted)

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Practical training: Practical training: number of students involved (assisting) in the research activities at the Department is limited (maximum 4-5), depending on the research projects that are running during the time of their training students are trained and supervised on the way the lab instruments are operating, the significance of their conducted measurements, the analysis of data etc

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Thesis: Thesis: At the end of the 2 nd cycle, students have to submit a thesis as a part of their academic degree (compulsory) The thesis may concern: Research work at the lab or in the fields; may be part of a research project Technical or agro-economical analysis or technical project related to problems of the Greek Agriculture Detailed and systematic state of the art review on a specific relevant topic

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Thesis: Thesis: The undertaken research, in the context of the thesis, can be either funded by the university or by a funded research project, if the thesis is part of an already running research program. Rarely a thesis is funded by the industry since confidentiality issues are raised by this agreement.

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Thesis: Thesis: The topic of the project, the project supervisor and the three advisors and examiners are approved by the supervisor’s Department. The student should have completed all his/her obligations before the thesis examination The student is examined after the presentation of his/her thesis; the examination is open to the public Thesis: 30 ECTS

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Teaching: Teaching: Some more advanced elements of research approaches are incorporated in the teaching activities of the last two years: application of knowledge development for various subjects through projects (depending on course/instructor), acquaintance with more advanced research tools through laboratory exercises, evaluation of different methodologies developed by researchers to answer key technical and scientific questions

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Transition Transition from integrated to postgraduate program of studies and structured 3 rd cycle in relation to research activities: Upon fulfilling all his/her integrated program of studies obligations a student can continue with a postgraduate program of studies that is also a pre-perquisite for PhD studies. The duration of the post-graduate specialisation program varies from 1-2 years. The duration of the PhD program cannot be less than 3 years. Post-graduate and third cycle programs of studies may be financially supported either by national funds or by pertaining research projects already running in the corresponding laboratory

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Transition Transition from integrated two cycles to postgraduate program of studies and structured 3 rd cycle in relation to research activities: There are conditions for the acceptance of graduates of the 1 st and the 2 nd cycle of Technological Institutions to the postgraduate program of studies and the structured 3 rd cycle in relation to research activities: These graduates have to enroll and pass several courses of the integrated programs of studies before they are allowed to follow the post-graduate and doctoral programs of studies

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Students in the 2 nd cycle (last two years of integrated programme): Research positions: Research positions: Usually there is no access to research positions (private or public) for the students who completed the integrated programme of studies: These positions require at least a doctoral degree and they are competitive They may have limited access as research assistants, especially if they follow a postgraduate or a doctoral program of studies

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Research related activities in the 2 nd Cycle Graduates of all programmes programmes: Research positions: Research positions: All graduates All graduates (integrated programs of studies, post- graduate and doctoral students, and post-doctoral fellows) are employed in the research projects on a project-contract basis postgraduate specialisation Graduates of the postgraduate specialisation programs of studies may have better access to research positions (private or public) than the graduates of the integrated programmes, but still as research assistants third cycle Graduates of the third cycle have access to research positions (private or public) as post-doctoral fellows or researchers

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Rare knowledge

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Almost all knowledge and popular wisdom, if not converted into commercial products, is devaluated and lost There is some resistance but the market is unbeatable. Rare knowledge

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Rare knowledge  Topics that could be of European interest in the field of rare knowledge: All traditional knowledge relevant to agricultural and biosystems engineering that has been developed over the centuries, based on renewable resources (era before fossil oil) For example, mulching using natural products instead of oil-based plastics: exploitation of their properties for bio- based biodegradable mulching films Same for bio-fuels….

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Rare knowledge  Topics of local interest in the field of rare knowledge to your own country: Rare knowledge relevant to agricultural and biosystems engineering may be utilised through agro- touristic activities For example: traditional rural buildings, animal housing traditional production and processing of agricultural products (e.g. production of wine) traditional farming activities and soil and water conservation etc

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Rare knowledge  Research groups in Greece working on rare knowledge in the field of Biosystems/Agricultural Engineering: Broader area of biological-organic cultivations Archaeological findings and studies on ancient agricultural practices and technologies (ancient olive groves, olive oil extraction, pumps, irrigation etc) Thematic museums

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Rare knowledge  Proposals  Research and political activities for preserving the rare knowledge in Europe: architectural-aesthetic integration of farm structures into the rural landscape potential of utilising natural products as materials for various agricultural engineering applications  Activities for promoting and/or preserving rare knowledge related to bio-based materials and bio- fuels within the ERABEE thematic network (potential topic for synergy with BEST)

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Agro-tourism in Greece

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Agro-tourism in Greece

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Agro-tourism in Greece

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Agro-tourism in Greece

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 Rare knowledge products

Dept. of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, AUA, Greece 4 th ERABEE Workshop, Malta, November, 2009 RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN THE FIRST TWO CYCLES OF EUROPEAN BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY STUDIES the case of Greece