CONTEXT The increasing world population as well as recent challenges and changes in production brought by climate change put an increasing demand on efficiency in the agricultural sector. Simultaneously, accelerating technological development provides possibilities for a range of novel tools that can be used to mitigate these challenges, also known as smart farming, which refers to the modern application of ICT in agriculture, including such practices as precision agriculture, agricultural automation and robotics, management information systems and more. OBJECTIVES The main objective of USAGE is to enable smart, sustainable and inclusive growth through up-skilling, innovative pedagogic approaches and access to experience. Therefore the implementation of different modules regarding digital transformation as well as development of a curriculum of an international modularized lifelong learning Master will be carried out. Outstanding experts from universities, industries and leading farms will work together. This will ensure the broad offer of high-level education as well as stronger cooperation between universities and companies. Ideas and needs from the sector will be brought to academia, both regarding new inventions and the need of educated professionals. A key element of USAGE is to encourage learning mobility between countries and disciplines –inspiring more engineers to choose a career within smart farming, and more agronomists to further specialize in technological subjects. NUMBER AND PROFILE OF THE PARTICIPANTS The activities in the project will be carried out by a consortium consisting of leading universities from four countries, academics, associated partners, university administrators and students. All partners have vast expertise when it comes to recognition of prior learning and experience, we expect most students to be mid-career professionals that might not automatically fulfill entry requirements of universities. In the pilot phase we expect 80 students with different education and professional backgrounds like skilled company staff, farmers and students, as well as people with fewer working opportunities/cultural diversity (e.g. non-EU students, immigrants). DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES, RESULTS AND METHODOLOGY I At each partner university, advanced university courses will be developed and implemented, starting from Sept. 2019 until winter 2021, when the implementation of the pilots of each university will be completed. Thereafter the evaluation and planned surveys among relative target groups will be carried out and feedback, expectations and key issues from different countries will be provided in order to clarify further steps and recommendations to improve the program development. II A common curriculum will be developed to combine the individual modules into a possible future European Joint Master. Furthermore, planned meetings on state of the art and share of best practice will be carried out as well as the implementation of the quality monitoring in order to ensure topicality and quality assurance. III For the promotion and successful dissemination of the program a dissemination strategy will be implemented. A web platform “virtual classroom” will be developed trying to easily connect all different learning management systems already in use in each partner institution and all administrative requirements from each project partner institution will be harmonized. IV The guidelines on validation of non-formal and informal learning, inclusion, LLL approach, use of new teaching tools and networking will be established and peer reviewed to ensure access to education and experience. V Innovative pedagogic approaches and methodology will be implemented. A teach-the-teacher training for learner-centered learning will be carried out. VI To ensure the sustainable cooperation between universities and companies the project partners will develop a framework for long-term cooperation. LONG TERM BENEFITS 1. Increased number of skilled staff in digital agriculture necessary for filling the gaps regarding digital transformation as well as new experts being able to analyze and evaluate newly developed methods, machinery, equipment and constructions for various areas of applications, to implement FIS, to use ISOBUS technology and to optimize modern digitized logistics and telemetry systems 2. Strengthened competitiveness in Higher Education and international visibility of each university partner's expertise through up-to-date research, sharing of best practice and networking 3. Sustainable partnerships between universities and companies through direct involvement of employers in the interactive creation of inclusive curricula and contribution to the introduction and validation of novel technology 4. Dissemination of the program beyond the EU 5. Fostering efficiency, competitiveness and productivity in European agriculture 6. Increased food security in Europe 7. Economic growth
By implementing this project, the USAGE consortium wanted to - share pedagogical best practices - develop and test courses designed for both life-long learners and traditional students - develop a framework for a MSc-program in agricultural engineering - develop and share guidelines for life-long learning practices - encourage and enhance interaction between industry and academia - deepen cooperation between European research institutions in the field of agricultural engineering - create Europe-wide and local networks and increase interaction between academia, industry and farmers regarding smart agriculture - increased number of skilled practitioners and informed engineers and agronomists
We applied for this project to facilitate sustainable and inclusive growth through upskilling, innovative pedagogies and access to experience. The project developed and implemented courses for digital transformation as well as a suggestion for a curriculum of an international modularized lifelong learning. Experts from universities, industries and leading farms worked together to develop a broad offer of high level education as well as strengthening the cooperation between universities and companies. Ideas and needs were exchanged between academia and the agricultural sector, both regarding new inventions and the need of educated professionals. A key element of this project was to encourage learning mobility between countries and disciplines – inspiring engineers to choose a career within smart farming, and agronomists to specialize in technological subjects. Needs addressed: - Society needs: more efficient and environmental friendly farming systems and faster transition of technology from research to farm - Labour market need: more skilled people in smart and precision farming - Higher education institution’s needs: to reach a wider audience of learners and to strengthen pedagogical competence regarding life-long learners