Welcome

Academic

Development

through

bilateral

peer-learning

activities

on

mission-oriented

innovation

for

Climate

Neutral

and

Smart

Cities

Start: August 2021 End: July 2023

Project Reference: EHP-CZ-ICP-3-018 The project SMARTEDUCG was undertaken as an Institutional Cooperation project during two years with the support of the Programme Education EEA Grants 2014-2021 . The project was coordinated by the Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT) from the Czech Republic and had the cooperation of the University of Stavanger (UiS) from Norway. It was initiated to foster synergy in the context of climate change and smart cities. This collaboration aimed to enhance both education and research activities through an interdisciplinary approach. In other words, it was focused on building capacity in higher education for climate change and smart cities. Project Activities and Deliverables: The project consisted of four peer-learning activities (PLAs) designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among academic staff from different faculties. These PLAs played a pivotal role in: Developing innovative teaching methodologies and approaches with an emphasis on challenge-based learning. Exchanging insights on mission-oriented research strategies. Introducing and testing cutting-edge digital tools for higher education, including the application of artificial intelligence. Discussing the integration of climate change topics into diverse academic curricula. Exploring ways to synergize educational and research activities to elevate the quality of higher education. While the primary focus was on climate change and smart cities, the broader aim was to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and modernize teaching and research methodologies. Supported by their joint peer-learning activities, the academic staff of both universities collaboratively developed four key sourcebooks: Sourcebook 1: Innovative Teaching Methods and Approaches in Higher Education on Sustainable and Smart Cities - This sourcebook delves into novel pedagogical strategies tailored for education on sustainable urban development. Sourcebook 2: EU Climate and Smart City Missions: Universities Bridging Research & Education - A comprehensive guide that offers insights into integrating EU climate and smart city mission goals into university research, providing examples, skill-building for young researchers, and a recommended framework for enhancing university capacity and proactive collaboration with external stakeholders, inspired by European grant opportunities. Sourcebook 3: Innovative Methodologies and Digital Tools for Online Education in the Field of Smart and Sustainable Cities - This sourcebook highlights the potential of digital tools, including artificial intelligence, in enhancing online education centred on sustainable and smart urbanization with concrete examples of their implementation in university courses to foster proactive, innovative, and collaborative future citizens. Sourcebook 4: Integrating Climate Change in Higher Education Curricula and Fostering Synergy with Research Activities – this publication offers guidance on integrating climate change aspects into higher education curricula with some examples and emphasizes the importance of synergy between educational and research activities in the modernization of academic curricula through a transdisciplinary approach to address societal challenges in the context of sustainable and smart cities. More information about these sourcebooks is available in the Deliverables section of this website.

Impact on End Beneficiaries

For the end beneficiaries, which include the academic staff and, indirectly, the students they teach, the project has made a significant difference. The staff members, who initially felt insecure or lacked knowledge in certain areas, are now equipped with a deeper understanding of innovative teaching methodologies, the importance of addressing climate change in their curricula, and the nuances of the Horizon Europe framework. This enhanced knowledge and collaborative spirit will undoubtedly trickle down to the students, ensuring a more holistic and informed education. Significance and Long-term Impact The SMARTEDUCG project's significance lies in its potential to reshape the academic landscape. By bridging interdisciplinary gaps and fostering a collaborative approach, the project has set a precedent for how universities can adapt to the evolving demands of the 21 st century. The long- term impact is expected to be profound, with academic staff being more inclined towards modernizing education and research methodologies. Furthermore, the project's emphasis on challenge and mission-oriented research positions it as a pioneer for future academic initiatives, especially within the Horizon Europe framework. In essence, SMARTEDUCG has not only addressed immediate academic challenges but has also laid the groundwork for a more collaborative and interdisciplinary future. Building on this foundation, both universities are committed to extending the benefits of the project's intellectual outputs to a broader academic audience, ensuring that even those who did not participate directly in the peer-learning activities can leverage the insights and methodologies for enhancing their educational and research pursuits. To sustain and amplify the project's momentum, periodic peer-learning activities are planned for the future, aiming to continually foster expertise sharing and transdisciplinary cooperation across various departments and faculties. In essence, SMARTEDUCG has not only addressed immediate academic challenges but has also laid the groundwork for a more collaborative and interdisciplinary future.

Building capacity in higher education