The project focused on improving the quality of education by developing an advanced, interdisciplinary master’s program in materials engineering, including a universal methodology, best practices in materials science education, as well as guidelines for teaching staff and academic instructors. Its objective was to gain insight into the students' needs and expectations of potential employers in the European market, thereby enhancing the job prospects for their future graduates, to establish a teaching framework that fosters the development of students capable of independently identifying and addressing challenges in Materials Science and Engineering. Specific objectives included: - increasing the knowledge of at least 200 academic teachers about the directions of didactics development in materials science; - increasing the teaching competences of 20 academic teachers, participants of short training programs; - adjusting the Master's degree program to the needs of the labor market by analyzing the needs of employers; - increasing innovation and internationalization of the institutions involved (4) through the exchange of good practices, joint development of the study program and teaching materials in the form of blended learning
Today's world is facing dynamic technological transformations, as well as challenges of climate change and sustainable development, that require continuous development of STEM. Key industries seek material solutions that combine innovation, functionality, and sustainability principles. Traditional educational systems often fail to keep up with the pace of technological change, creating a significant gap between the academic level of education and the demands of the job market. Internationalization, enrichment of the educational offer by expanding the scope of curriculum, as well as improving the competences and skills of teaching staff are now an integral part of any university’s strategy and one of the challenges of education in all project partner countries. In recent years, increasing emphasis in HE has been placed on teaching transversal skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and digitaI competencies. In response to it, a consortium of four universities has initiated the Materials Science Ma(s)ters project, an international initiative focused on sharing best practices and intensifying international cooperation as key elements in improving the quality of higher education.