The WooD+ project aims at raising graduates' profiles, strengthening excellence in key competencies such as multilingualism, critical thinking, and creativity, and strengthening international collaboration in the field of Wood Science and Technology. The project is strongly focusing on skill development for green jobs, by designing and up-growing university curricula. The WooD+ is strongly emphasising on digital competences, relevant to learners as well as educators. The digitalisation is radically transforming societies with an additional urgency due to the COVID-19 pandemic phase. This project is adhering at very critical problems of today's society. Global climate change is causing regional drought situations with the consequence of high mortalities and losses in the forests. During the past two years, the volume of forest damages amounted at around 118 million m³ in Central Europe, with Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria being hit the most. The situation is further expanded with over-exploitations of wood species in selected regions since the industry is focusing on a small number of wood species only. Wood consumption is rising, primarily in the engineering sector for buildings, but also for interior, and many utilitarian items. A broader base of wood supply is needed in the future, even to adapt to the future changed-climatic pattern, and meet policy changes for a future bioecomomy. A primary strategy is to take advantage of wood species that have been used not much so far, due to insufficient knowledge in their relevant properties, their specific strengths, and the many manufacturing technologies. These "lesser-known wood species" (LKWS) are in the centre of this project, facilitating aspects of their use through educational measures. Some LKWS are better climate-adaptable, and their specific property profiles create new opportunities for innovative products, for new applications, and therefore also economic opportunities across Europe. The WooD+ consortium integrates educational key-players in wood science and technology, coming from the Czech Republic (MENDELU), Germany (UHAM), Austria (BOKU) and Slovenia (UL). Further, the European organisation InnovaWood, located in Brussels, with 57 wood-related members from 28 countries, is also associated. Three technical work packages are designed, representing a carefully selected portfolio of educational activities, with four e-learning activities, an eBook compilation, a virtual laboratory teaching, then experimental design and data analysis, to training on European dimensions in the subject matter. Further, a two-day conference, several technical programs for learners, short-term joint staff training events, including digital-age learning and didactics, then many forest-related and lab-focused events to European dimension events, the latter in connection with Brussels-based InnovaWood. The outcomes created during the activities mentioned above are licensed as Open Access Educational Materials. Primary objectives are to develop, promote and integrate innovative interdisciplinary, collaborative content-based approaches to Wood Science and Technology curriculum with particular focus on lesser-known tree species. This is achieved by redesigning the learning environment through enhancing in-class HE instruction with innovative online modules. Online modules will combine skill and content-based approaches with foreign language learning and teaching and will enable students to individualise and internationalise learning pathways through the promotion of collaborative practices. Additionally, the project allows for the assessment frameworks across partner curricula in the EU Higher Education institutions through the internationalisation of HE shared content. With WooD+ Objectives are targeted, Opportunities are taken and make a Difference under the ERASMUS+ umbrella.
Brain Circulation: Enabling the exchange of students and researchers to elevate their language competencies within their respective fields. Stimulating Creativity: Cultivating diversity in education and networks to ignite inspiration and support for students and researchers, harnessing the richness of their varied educational and research backgrounds. Green-Sector Skills: Advocating for the industrial utilization of lesser-known wood species (LKWS) in high-value applications, focusing on pioneering material development and minimizing wood consumption for low-value energy purposes. Future-Oriented Curricula: Contributing to curricula that broaden their scope to encompass a greater diversity of exemplary tree species, ensuring a forward-looking approach to education. Digital Competences: Championing the development and nurturing of digital competencies, especially critical in the pandemic era, through remote learning and implementing innovative eLearning methods. Science and Research Cooperation: Strengthening collaboration in science and research through concerted learning and teaching efforts, cultivating trust structures that elevate and render scientific activities more competitive
WooD+ was designed with the overarching goal of enriching graduate profiles by reinforcing proficiency in multilingualism, critical thinking, and innovation within the field of Wood Science and Technology. We focused on cultivating skills relevant to green jobs and addressing the pressing issues associated with global climate change and the underutilization of lesser-known wood species (LKWS). The project acknowledged the pivotal role of education in the "knowledge triangle" and actively endorsed "smart specialization" measures to promote growth, job creation, and sustainable development within the EU. Recognizing the significance of adaptable wood science professionals in ensuring sustainable resource utilization and environmental preservation, the initiative sought to tailor its strategies to specific circumstances and implement cutting-edge educational approaches. WooD+ capitalized on a consortium of institutions, harnessing their collective expertise to explore avant-garde methodologies, both theoretical and applied techniques, and renowned collections of wood species from around the world. This collaborative effort aimed to propel the field forward and contribute to the global discourse on sustainable wood science practices.