The project's implementation was expected to add long-term value to the European labour market, particularly concerning the digital transformation-related labour force of modern engineers, with a focus on green and sustainable engineering in the field of IoT. The tools and materials implemented introduced a new quality in participating HEs and beyond: blended and inverted learning models in HE education, representing modern and innovative learning and teaching approaches. Thanks to the remote-oriented approach using open and distant labs and MOOC study modules, IoT training has become more inclusive and available to a wider audience. By implementing a standardised, flexible curriculum, common coursebooks, shared technical documentation and teaching materials, an open MOOC platform, and shared remote access to hardware, along with digital integration services, we aimed to promote interconnected HE systems on both organisational and technical levels. The participation of industrial partners brought mutual benefits to academia and business, involving SMEs in the development process and knowledge transfer.
The project's origin was to continue the success story of the IOT-OPEN.EU project funded by E+ KA2 in the years 2016-2019. New technologies, new partners and possibilities that appeared since 2019 drove us to submit the following proposal. Also, rapidly changing technology and demand for new, integrated study programmes were major reasons for the application. Offering our students the most recent technologies and effective, eye-catching learning tools (e.g., remote lab and online study modules) is a great contribution to strengthening the future of the European labour force. The collaboration of European partners with similar development levels brings a synergy effect and facilitates the sharing of best practices and approaches for IoT teaching. Moreover, the application for this project was driven by the observation of rising competition from Asian countries (mostly China) and the US. Europe needs well-qualified engineers in the areas of Internet of Things, Embedded Systems, low-level programming, green and efficient computing and digital systems design. Therefore, it is HEs’ duty to participate in this competition with the help of UE funding.