TRAINING THE STUDENTS FOR WORKING IN IT INTENSIVE TECHNICAL ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS Prof. Simona LACHE Transilvania University of Brasov Romania

CONTENT Transilvania University of Brasov – entrepreneurial university: models of U-E cooperation EUI-Net: European University – Industry Network INTENGIT Project - INTensive ENGineering IT Students Training Model – developing competences and skills for working in IT intensive technical applications Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

Transilvania University of Brasov – entrepreneurial university 15 faculties: technical (7) and non-technical (8) Over 21,000 students STRATEGY: to develop an education and research frame for: –Quality education, insuring to the graduates a fast insertion in the labor market; –Competitive research, on top issues making the University a leading name in certain fields (e.g. clean technologies); –Real cooperation with the economic and social environment. Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

Transilvania University of Brasov – entrepreneurial university The Department of Links between the University and the Economic, Social and Cultural Environment aims to be the interface between university and the extra-academic environment Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France  Students education and training: by developing cooperation in practical placement, graduation / dissertation theses with subjects proposed by the economic environment; identifying the needs of the economic environment and changing the academic curricula in terms of these needs;  Research and development: scientific research and technological transfer;  Training in alternative systems: life-long education, open distance learning, low frequency, by launching the university offer into the economic environment, on one hand, and by identification the needs of the extra-academic environment and their tuning to the university offer, on the other hand. ;

Model for University–Enterprise Cooperation University – Enterprise cooperation in the research field is developed in several forms: –research support –cooperative research –knowledge transfer –technology transfer Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

Model for University–Enterprise Cooperation Research support: Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France it involves contributions of both money and equipment to the university by industry; it provides great flexibility to upgrade laboratory and develop programs in certain areas of interest; …

Model for University–Enterprise Cooperation Research support: Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France The cooperation model at Transilvania University of Brasov ; UTBv – Siemens PSE : three laboratories developed, in the field of telecommunication, automation and informatics (the last is under development); UTBv – Motorola : one laboratory equipped for research and didactic activities in telecommunication; UTBv – Ina Schaeffler : research activity in the field of automotive industry, development of a training centre consisting of two laboratories for CAD/CAE/CAM; UTBv – Viessmann : research activity in the field of renewable energy, development of the Solar Thermal Laboratory; UTBv – Autoliv : one lecture room and one CAD/CAM laboratory for training graduates in Automotive Safety Systems Engineering, master programme. UTBv – LMS International : Competence Centre in Simulation and Analysis of Engineering Systems. …

Model for University–Enterprise Cooperation Cooperative research: the university develops cooperative research consortiums with industry to pursue research and development in some common areas of interest –direct cooperation with the industrial company – through research contracts (financed by the company); –cooperation with industrial companies in the framework of national research projects – Excellence Research Programme (financed by the government) –cooperation with industrial companies in the framework of international research and education projects – FP5, FP6, FP7, Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates/Erasmus Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France …

Model for University–Enterprise Cooperation Knowledge transfer: involves many activities that include both formal and informal means of communication, interactions and personnel exchanges at student and faculty level Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France …  Involvement of the companies in the university curricula;  Student work on corporate problems for their theses and dissertations  Cooperative education programs, internship and job placement for students and recent graduates provide means for knowledge transfer –Organizing master courses oriented on the company needs: the target group consists of young graduates, employed by the company; the curriculum is set-up by a joint team of academics and company specialists, so it is done the evaluation process.  Leonardo da Vinci student mobility – knowledge transfer at European level

Model for University–Enterprise Cooperation Technology transfer: it is generally based on the collaborative research with the industry; different models have been developed along the years: business incubators, science parks, technology parks, etc. all being created to foster entrepreneurship and business development Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France Education& Research Market Production Product development UNIVERSITY COMPANIES LIFE-LONG EDUCATION INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS INCUBATOR PRO-ENERG Customer

EUI-Net Strategic Axes Started in October 2004 as an ETN - 71 partners from all European countries (universities & companies) First stage priorities ( ) –Building the partnership –Building a core group of committed partners –Establishing of a functional Network –Defining the scope of activities Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

EUI-Net Strategic Axes Activities : –“Tuning” exercise: curriculum and practical placement requirements relevant for the industrial sector –Network identity and visibility: website, regular Workshops, EUI-Net Conference, Newsletters… –Work on employability – The keyword of the Network – SYNERGY: Teaching and research in the U-E context University – Enterprise for growths and jobs Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

EUI-Net Strategic Axes Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France Teaching and Research Synergy A first successful event: Workshop in Tallinn, 4-5 May Teaching & Training in Research: PhD supervision. 2.Actors of the Teaching & Research process: added value for industry. 3.Integrating research results in teaching. 4.University - Industry Teaching & Research Synergy – best practice and case studies.

EUI-Net Strategic Axes Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France Teaching and Research Synergy Workshop conclusions: Demonstrated highest interest of partners and commitment for the Network goals Best practice Models and Guidelines - book under preparation Pointed out the innovation and entrepreneurship as a priority focus of EUI-Net for the future

EUI-Net Strategic Axes EUI-Net priority until 2010: University – Enterprise SYNERGY GROWTH JOBS Training Human resources New markets Innovation (New businesses) Employability Entrepreneurship University-Enterprise cooperation  U-E synergy for: Entrepreneurship and training (Growth)& (Jobs)

Model for U-E Networking UNIVERSITY Existing knowledge Research RESEARCH INSTITUTES Scientific Communities NETWORK Fairs, workshops, conferences,shared knowledge base, etc. ENTERPRISES Teaching LOCAL/ REGIONAL/ NATIONAL COMMUNITY Social partners Fundamental knowledge Applied knowledge Technological knowledge Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

Example of U-E cooperation Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France UTBv – LMS International COMPETENCE CENTRE IN SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS OB.1 Training human resources able to integrate in software development teams for simulation and analysis in mechanical engineering. OB.2 Solving research projects proposed by LMS, by UTBv teams - on contract basis. University Enterprise Research projects proposals Cooperation Model Requirements for curricula updating / development of custom oriented training schemes

Example of U-E cooperation Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France UTBv – LMS International LMS contribution: –Modern design and equipment in the university space, appropriate for training and research activities. –Software and equipment necessary for training and research activitities. Activities within the partnership : –Training the students within the laboratory classes, using the LMS software and equipment; –Annual/ graduation/ dissertation projects with subjects proposed by LMS; –Practical placement at LMS; –LMS participation in educational projects (Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, etc.) and research projects (European and national); –Research projects proposed by LMS and solved by UTBv teams, on contract basis.

INTENGIT Project INTENGIT – INTensive ENGineering IT Result of the needs analysis performed by the Department of Links between University and the Economic Environment – UTBv Responds to a theme with strong echoes in the reality the European society is facing nowadays: the university – industry relationship in the view of developing “ a European area of cooperation in the field of education and vocational training ” and for “ building up of the knowledge, skills and competences likely to foster active citizenship and employability ” Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

INTENGIT Project AIM to promote the innovation by developing an integrated approach for training in IT and engineering, in the view of providing skills and competences to the students through placements in European companies that develop integrated solutions (testing systems, CAE/Simulation software, engineering services) used for design and engineering of mechanical products Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

INTENGIT Project OBJECTIVES 1.Development of a managerial frame at trans-national level (based on cooperation between project partners), in order to ensure all the conditions for achieving the project objectives. 2.Education and training of highly qualified human resources required for working in a complex environment integrating IT and engineering, by providing the appropriate training frame for acquiring / improving knowledge, skills and competences at undergraduate / M.Sc. / Ph.D. level. 3.Improvement of education and training carried on in the university by creating of added value through trans-national cooperation. The added value consists of developing student centred training programs that integrate IT and engineering, promote team working and will finalize with tangible products. Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

INTENGIT Project OBJECTIVES 4.Development and implementation of innovative training methods by providing practical placement in a challenging and competitive working environment oriented on integrated solutions - testing systems, CAE/Simulation software, engineering services - that are used for the development and engineering of mechanical products. 5.Development of new forms of partnership between Romanian training institutions and European companies, for promoting both parts interests. 6.Evaluation of trans-national activity performed during the placement and dissemination of good practice regarding the integrated approach for training in IT and engineering. The dissemination will be achieved at different levels and on different subjects. Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

INTENGIT Project TARGET GROUPS The preliminary Needs Analysis identified the necessity of training two categories of beneficiaries: –IT students, in relation to specific software development issues or tools, –Mechanical and electrical engineering students which will be involved in the methodology research and application engineering projects of the company. Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

INTENGIT Project TARGET GROUPS –The IT graduates, required for developing software applications, need to have background in mechanical design and/or automation & control, since the applications are mechanical oriented. –The graduates in mechanical and electrical field need to improve their programming skills for being able to perform testing of systems and CAE/Simulation. Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

INTENGIT Project ADDED VALUE compensation of the weak points identified in relation with the practical oriented activity – by the trans-national mobility: –provides increased chances for students on the labour market, –develops the innovative spirit of young people and entrepreneurship skills. updated knowledge according to the new approach of training on IT intensive technical engineering applications; more insight on product-oriented and custom-oriented design; skills on team working and networking (by dealing with work in a trans- national company); market oriented activities. Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

INTENGIT Project MODEL Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France European company Local University Local division of the European company Student practical placement – LdV Programme Knowledge transfer Application of knowledge transfer by graduates (former beneficiaries of the INTENGIT Project )

INTENGIT Project TUTORING & MENTORING Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France Weekly discussion RO student - EU mentor Analysis of results EU mentor Changes in the work plan – if needed EU mentor Analysis of the proposed changes RO supervisor Revised work plan direct communication direct communication /

INTENGIT Project VALIDATION OF THE AQUIRED SKILLS Accreditation in the host institution: a certificate is delivered, based on the Graduation/ Dissertation/ Ph.D. file, the beneficiary activity report and the oral presentation of the work performed during the placement. Accreditation in the sending institution: the process is part of the graduation exam – for the students at undergraduate and master level, and part of the doctoral training program – for the students at Ph.D. level. Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

INTENGIT Project VALIDATION OF THE AQUIRED SKILLS In addition: the beneficiaries test the knowledge, skills and competences acquired during the training stage, by developing activities within the local company (usually a subsidiary of the European company). Taking advantage of the qualified experience and competences, the students analyze, together with the specialist assigned by the company, the projects developed during the training stage, both from technical and economic point of view, and try to implement them within the company. Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

Conclusions  The entrepreneurial university approach – more and more common nowadays  Some U-E cooperation models have been already produced and the process is continuing  EUI-Net: the promoter of synergy, as source for growth  INTENGIT: provides added value in students training for working in IT intensive technical applications Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

Acknowledgement This paper has been supported by the European Commission, in the framework of the Socrates Erasmus Programme and the Leonardo da Vinci Programme Our thanks goes there! Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France

Acknowledgement THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Vth Conference Europe - Latin America on Cooperation and Education, November 5-11, 2006,Martinique - France