Knowledge FOr Resilient soCiEty

The aims of the K-FORCE project are to improve regional resilience to hazards and capability for regional cooperation in risk prevention and response and to ensure national professional resources and regional capacities in aim to build regional-based disaster preparedness and a culture of safety and resilience at all levels according to EU Integration Strategies and National relevant strategies.WBR needs to improve the resilience to hazards are recognized as needs for experts capable to improve regional capacity/cooperation in risk prevention and response.In 3.5 – year K-FORCE project implementation period 7 curricula were modernized/developed/implemented at WBC HEIs: 3 Disaster Risk Management & Fire Safety Engineering (DRM&FSE) academic master programs/modules (MP), 2 professional MPs - Protection Engineering and DRM&FSE, Risk Management academic MP (in Economy-Finance field) and DRM&FS PhD program (DP).MPs’ Modernization/Development directions (WP1) were defined based on national/regional needs and know-how transfer from PR HEIs. The Syllabi core and common learning outcomes are aligned with NQF/EQF.78 courses were innovated/developed, accredited and 61 implemented, due to the principle of electability at MPs and only the first year of DP completed. B-Learning material has been developed for all completely new implemented courses.6 educational ICT labs at WBC HEIs were created at P1-P6 for MPs, plus PhD Lab at P1(WP1).DP development was based on WBR needs, disaster trends, available resources and novel approach provided by PR (WP2).Teaching methodologies (WP3) have been improved through study visits and trainings, coordinated by PR HEIs. SMS contributed with a high extend to PA staff teaching skills improvement and to internationalization of WB HEIs.(WP3)B-learning material (EN/SR/AL/BH) was created, evaluated and fine-tuned (450+ items). It is available via Canvas platform (317 registered users linked to MPs & DP). 262 students were enrolled during project period (WP4).DP started in the 2019-2020 winter semester, with 12 students enrolled. Research area and themes were selected based on WB priorities (WP5).68 selected lectures were held by HEIs professors at MPs and DP. Lectures were attended by MP and PhD students (850+) and by other public (1200+), including students from other MPs and DPs from the host institutions.6 books were published in ENG/ALB/BH/SRB, in OA (open access) at K-FORCE website and books in ENG printed in 300 copies each, available at HEIs’ Libraries.18 LLL courses has been implemented (WP6) in blended way, based on WBC needs and learning outcomes according to NQF/EQF. Selected MPs learning material was adapted for LLL courses, available in OA at K-FORCE website. 439 LLL courses’ participants registered at ICT platform.(WP6)DRM&FSE Glossary (EN/SR/AL/BH) was created, externally peer-reviewed and published, as e-book and printed in 300 copies.Open access K-FORCE E-Library contains conference and journal papers, students’ projects, master thesis, MPs and DP curricula, open lectures as well as workshops, case studies and LLL courses learning material (400+ items).QA mechanisms and procedures have been implemented (WP7), besides self-evaluation, monitoring was done by PR HEIs and external expert. A dozen different quality questioners templates were developed and surveys were conducted continuously (project events, meetings, open lectures, MPs and DP students’ surveys, trainings, SMS mobilities).Dissemination: K-FORCE Website (9,500+ visits and 9,000+ downloads), ICT platform (750+ users), E-Library, events and media (WP8). 3 K-FORCE Symposia were organized, with over 250 participants in total, Proceedings books were printed and published in open access at website.Project management was provided by the coordinator PMT(WP9).