TEMPUS SUNIL OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT EVOLUTION Savvas Vassiliadis Project coordinator TEI Piraeus Department of Electronics

SUNIL Strengthening University Industry Links In Uzbekistan A Joint European Project

What is SUNIL SUNIL is a TEMPUS - TACIS program It is a cooperation program between 2 European Union member states (Greece and Portugal) and 1 Central Asia country (Uzbekistan) It is financially supported by the European Union.

SUNIL TEI Piraeus Tecminho TITLI NEEI Logotech

SUNIL: Two Major Activities Establishment of INDUSTRIAL LIAISON OFFICES in TITLI and NEEI Organization of distance learning courses for industry in TITLI and NEEI

SUNIL: Main comments Although we faced several difficulties (unexpected bureaucracy, problems in the operation of the universities in Greece etc.) the flow of the project has been kept under control. The cooperation between the partners is excellent.

SUNIL: Mobility From the European Union to Uzbekistan –A kick-off meeting was organized in Tashkent in December 2005 –One mission has taken place in May 2006 –The second mission starts now!!! From Uzbekistan to the European Union –Already 10 persons have been in Europe for a period of 2 months. –10 more persons will travel to Europe in 2007

SUNIL: Equipment Already the servers and the computers have been purchased and they are located in TITLI and NEEI. Additional equipment may be added soon!

SUNIL: Dissemination Website of TITLI is already available on the internet ! Soon we will expect the printing of a leaflet and a newsletter!

SUNIL: The next year We will fulfill the remaining tasks of the project We must use our accumulated experience for a better result.

Thanks to The Rectors of TITLI and NEEI for the continuous support of the project. Professor Djamal Akbarov for his everyday efforts. Professor Christos Kotsios for being the connecting person between TEIP and TITLI. Our colleagues from Portugal who support actively the program.

THANKS to My colleagues from Greece who support with administrative and scientific efforts the SUNIL project. Mrs Aziza Abdurachmanova and her colleagues of the National Tempus Office for their strong support. All the persons from TITLI and NEEI who take part in the activities of our project.

THE DISTANCE LEARNING EXPERIENCE A presentation of some principles useful for the realization of the training courses. Savvas Vassiliadis TEI Piraeus Department of Electronics

THE DISTANCE LEARNING IS AN OLD METHOD Distance learning is a well known method since many years. Today becomes more attractive because of the use of the computer and networking technology. The combination of the distance learning and the new technologies leads to the e-learning principle.

POINTS OF INTEREST The general course concept. The design of the teaching and learning method The management and the realization of the educational program. The support of the students. The communication with the students The evaluation of the students

ORGANIZATION OF THE PROCEDURE The learning objectives must be clearly defined towards the learning outcomes. The students must be active in the learning procedure. The use of the advanced resources has to be encouraged. Knowledge based procedure must be combined with the problems solving orientation. The human interaction must be of highest priority.

COURSE DESIGN Methodology and targets must be clear. The content must be structured. The uniformity of the characteristics of the students must be desired. The course must be well defined in terms of duration.

COMMUNICATION ISSUES Synchronous or asynchronous methodology. Video and audio quality. The aspect of the tutoring: Solving problems or actively engaged into the learning procedure. Availability of networking infrastructure.

EVALUATION Evaluation is a key for the continuous upgrade of the distance learning activity. The innovative characteristics must be detected and supported. They are very important for the distance learning concept. Focus on the interactions between students and between students and teachers.

Thank you for your attention!