The global emergency of COVID 19 pandemic requires a response through science and technology means, wherein nanotechnology approaches may contribute with advanced solutions. They can address the many clinical and healthcare challenges that have arisen from the coronavirus activity, the fight against the disease, and the ongoing mitigation strategies. The COVID 19 crisis has accelerated as well the need to digitally transform education and training systems. In Higher Education (HE), there is a need for strengthening the capacity to provide high quality, inclusive digital education and to realize an immediate impact of the new knowledge for combating the coronavirus pandemic. To address these needs, the project “Digital University Aula in Nanotechnology education to fight COVID 19 – Nano-Code” will develop an innovative educational programme, based on ICT and EQF/NQFs/HE strategic system for organization of an education process. It will improve the professional performance of HE tutors/graduates and encourage implementation of relevant quality standards in nanotech area. The objectives pursued by the project are: - To study the peculiarities of specific resources and define the applications of digital technologies in teaching/learning nanotechnology. - To create a virtual space (Digital University Aula) and educational content that offer individual solutions adapted to challenges and real situations at local level. - To apply EQF/NQF/HE principles for competence development of the target groups. - To show the innovative character of nanotechnology and its impact on COVID 19 combating through digital education. Nano-Code project consortium is created on the basis of mutual agreement and understanding for the HE needs to shift educational policy from traditional to digital environment and tools, operating through EQF/NQFs/ECTS instruments. It unifies 6 partners from 4 countries: Bulgaria (P1–P3), Germany (P4), Greece (P5) and Turkey (P6) and comprises 2 Universities (P1, P6), 2 R&D Centers (P2, P4), 1 NGO (P5), and 1 SME (P3). The project is structured in 4 phases comprising ordered work in terms of Activities (A) performance and technical, human and financial resources involvement. Ph1. Preparation (A1–2): Managerial and administrative arrangements and project commencement; Ph2. Implementation (A3–4): Methodology and work plan issue; Intellectual Outputs elaboration; Ph3. Follow-up (A5–6): Results evaluation, appraisal and verification; Dissemination & Use performance; Ph4. Sustainability (A7): Sustainability and impact: post-project sustainable actions organization. The methodology to be used in the project activities involves application of good managerial practice and methods for: - Administration: distribution of project tasks by time, type of activity and partners - Quality management: launch of objectives and processes required to deliver the desired results - Implementation: processes used to complete the work defined in the management plan - Monitoring & evaluation: managing and tracking the project activities - Dissemination & use (D&U): studying and evaluation of the project’s influence potential on target groups/sectors/users - Financial control: documentation and reporting to avoid financial conflicts and violations of contractual obligations. Nano-Code results will be elaborated in compliance with project development and will be defined by the outflow of the project phases: Ph1: Quality Management Plan, Project Communication Plan, D&U Plan and relevant supporting tools. Ph2: Intellectual Outputs O1: Nano-Code Digital University Aula design and establishment; O2: Digital competence concept: mapping advanced digital skills and knowledge; O3: Nano-Code innovative model for digital higher education; O4: Nano-Code digitally enhanced curriculum; O5: Fast Digital Organizer for teaching/learning on demand of HE tutors/graduates. Ph3: Follow-up & sustainability: Internal/external project assessment; Multiplier Events (E1–E6) performance. D&U and impact provision: dissemination checklist; publication of D&U materials. The envisaged Nano-Code impact will be realized among core players and wide audience at national/EU level. The innovative digitally enhanced curriculum in “Nanotechnology to fight COVID 19” creates prospects for targets-focused impact. Its structuring and operation within the established Digital University Aula through a Learning Outcomes-based model will contribute to the introduction of a competence-grounded approach to teaching/learning and assessment. The project will develop innovative educational materials and address a theme of particular EC interest: Nanotechnology vs. COVID 19. Potential longer term benefits are anticipated through implementation of project outputs into national HE systems and in-company training units; promotion of HEIs capacity to support and build up employability; mobilizing education, science and technology to realize positive effect in COVID 19 combat.
The main project objective was to develop an innovative educational program in “Nanotechnology to fight COVID-19” based on ICT and EQF/NQF/HE strategic system for education process organization. The project's motivation was to provide a program for specific knowledge delivery to HEIs through digital education technology readily and affordably and to transform test sites into an experimentation platform. The program establishment answered the need for better public participation in shaping future research and innovation strategies for combating COVID-19 through nanotechnologies and nanomaterials applications for antiviral purposes. By implementing the project, the partners' countries specific needs are satisfied through the innovative education offered that reflects and focuses on the target groups in the following directions: - Application of digital technologies in teaching/learning nanotechnology; - Creation of Digital University Aula - a virtual space and educational content that provide individual solutions to its users; - Use of EQF/NQF/HE principles for competence development; - Revealing the innovative character of nanotechnology and its impact on COVID-19 combating through digital education.
The global emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic required effective response through science and technology tools. Nanotechnology approaches contribute to this response with advanced solutions, and nanotechnology comes into play since SARS-CoV-2 has nanometric dimensions. These approaches address many clinical and healthcare challenges that arise from the coronavirus activity, the fight against the disease, and the relevant mitigation strategies. The COVID-19 crisis has also accelerated the need to transform digitally education and training systems. Higher Education needs encompass strengthening the capacity to provide high-quality digital education and realize an immediate impact of the new knowledge to combat the coronavirus pandemic. To address these gaps, improvement of the HE of the target groups was necessary. They need to operate with digital tools in the COVID-19 pandemic reality. The Nano-Code project addressed these needs establishing an innovative (in content and structure) educational program that improved the professional performance of HE tutors/graduates and encouraged the implementation of relevant quality standards in the nanotechnology area.