The DECEL project aimed to act as a “laboratory of ideas” for teaching in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Participants sought to explore and implement initiatives such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and real remote laboratories. The goal was to move from theory to practice within a network of like-minded universities focused on undergraduate teaching. As expected in any laboratory of ideas, both positive and less favourable results emerged, offering opportunities for reflection and improvement in teaching practices. A key goal was also to promote internationalisation at home. Opening classrooms to other European institutions strengthened international collaboration and enhanced transversal skills among students and staff. Engineering remained one of the least internationalised areas, and DECEL aimed to be a springboard for future actions. Finally, the project sought to extend its results to other engineering fields and universities, supporting those with similar interests to those of the DECEL Consortium.
Some members of the consortium had extensive experience with Erasmus+ projects. After several initial meetings and a review of previous projects, it became evident that the Engineering field had not been adequately promoted in recent years. Its development from a teaching perspective had been minimal compared to other areas. As a result, the teaching methods used remained highly traditional (“we teach the way we were taught”). Various factors contributed to the slow pace of adaptation to new educational trends. Among them were the high experimental content of the courses. A lack of knowledge or interest from teaching staff, combined with the specific characteristics of both teachers and students, created a complex situation that hindered modernisation. These reasons led to the creation of the DECEL project. It aimed to address these issues within the fields of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Specifically, in the areas of Digital Systems, Digital Electronics, and Electronic Design. All project partners held qualifications in these areas. Therefore, analysing the challenges in each country, identifying improvements, and assessing the interest shown by the faculties provided a clear picture of the current situation in EU.