Research

Projects

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September 2014-September 2017 ERASMUS+ “e-FoodScience”

“Design, development and pilot testing of freely accessible online educational material, for a common group of modules intended for “food science” students

In the era of Europe 2020 Strategy, for overcoming the socio-economic crisis affecting European countries, of boosting growth and jobs and of fostering social equity and inclusion, this project aims to use the potential of Europe’s human and social capital originating from higher education’s institutes and the industry, in order to exchange and transfer knowledge and know-how in food science and technology education, by the creation and development of a network that will provide opportunities for cooperation among stakeholders.

This partnership consists of 4 higher education institutes, namely Technological Educational Institute of Thessaly (Greece), Catholic University of Portugal, Cyprus University of Technology, University of Leon (Spain) and Technological Educational Institute of Athens (Greece). Additionally this partnership includes an IT Specialist Partner originating from the industry (SystServ) with expertise to develop on line training platforms and a Regional Development Agency (ANKA SA) that has over 20 years of experience in structuring and implementing sustainable development projects. The partnership also has a series of collaborating partners from Food Industries from the participating countries for developing case studies material for training purposes.  Universities, national and regional development and education agencies will also act as collaborating partners in order to facilitate the dissemination of the project’s outcome.  This project aims to design, develop and pilot test freely accessible online educational material, for a common group of modules intended for “food science” students.

The project will be implanted in three years and started in September 2014. The general objectives are focused on:

  • Enhancing the quality and relevance of the learning offer in education by developing new and innovative education approaches and supporting the dissemination of best practices in food science and technology education.
  • Promoting innovative practices in education by supporting personalised learning approaches, collaborative learning and critical thinking, strategic use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), open educational resources (OER), open and flexible learning, virtual mobility and other new pedagogies.
  • Increasing labour market relevance of learning provision and qualifications and reinforcing links between education with the world of the food industry and
  • Improving the capacities of the participating universities in the areas of strategic development, quality of learning provision and internationalization.

The project is funded by the ERASMUS+ Programme and is developed in the field of Strategic Partnerships for higher education, under the key action Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices. The first progress report of the project that was successfully submitted at the Greek National Agency showed that there is a need for further development in the food sector in all participating Countries.