WHAT:
Our Erasmus+ project aims at reinforce the capacity of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in conducting applied research activities, specifically by better supporting the involvement of students in such activities. Known for their expertise, UAS have a solid reputation. But we’re taking things further by getting students involved. We truly believe that when students take part in research, it leads to exciting studies, connects worldwide opportunities with research, and shines a light on research careers. This really helps them develop skills, increases their chances of getting hired, and keeps them learning for life.
WHY:
The motivation of this project relies mainly on the necessity to highlight and support the potential role students can play to boost research activities of the UAS, including the transnational dimension. It means that there is room for improvement to boost UAS in their capacity in building (transnational) cooperation at the benefit of their research activities, the teachers and the students. Indeed, the project activities will boost their skills, lead to the development of new research capacities and participate in the transfer of skills in a wide range of professional sectors.
How
We are going to develop a toolbox to support integration of the students in research activities in Universities of Applied Sciences, strengthening the international dimension of such activities and the opportunities that this dimension can bring to internal research projects. The toolbox will enable teachers, researchers and coordinator of research but also students to access the main project outputs such as the Guidebook to integrate students into research activities.
To achieve its results, BLIST will benefit from €250,000 in funding granted by the Erasmus+ programme under Key Action 2: Cooperation among organizations and institutions
When
Our project has a duration of two years, extending from March 2023 to March 2025.
WORK PACKAGES
BLIST is organized in 4 WorkPackages:
Project management
The objectives of this WP are to ensure the implementation of the project’s activities following the workplan timeline and within the budget and to insure the quality of the whole project (work process, deliverables production and quality content)
Integrating students into research activities, contributing among other things the development of international research within the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS)
• Our goal is to empower students by enhancing their ability to engage in research. We aim to cultivate the researchers of tomorrow through increased participation in research projects. This involves their involvement in both EU research initiatives and R&D activities. We will raise awareness among teachers, researchers, and students about students' potential in research..
• We seek to maximize the impact of ERASMUS+ mobility by integrating study abroad experiences with research activities. This approach not only enhances students' academic journey but also serves as an opportunity to foster stronger institutional partnerships and establish new ones.
Toolbox to boost integration of students in research in UA
We are going to develop and create a toolbox that supports the integration of students in research activities in Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), strengthens the international dimension of research activities, and facilitates networking capacity among UAS.
Communication and Dissemination
• Internal Communication: Our aim is to establish effective communication among partners, ensuring continuous engagement from each partner. This involves seamless sharing of decisions and developments related to work packages (WP). We will also consistently update the work program and foster positive interpersonal relationships.
• External Communication: We are committed to a successful dissemination strategy. By leveraging the extensive networks of our partners within their countries and Europe at large, we will contribute to the project's main objective: enhancing the capacity of UAS to involve students in practical research projects. This will be achieved through a robust communication and dissemination plan, reaching a wide range of UASs, including both students and staff.
PARTNERS
SynHERA asbl (non for-profit association) is a network that represents 19 Universities of Applied Sciences, 10 associated Research Centres and over 1000 researchers. It’s the only office which represents applied research within French-Speaking Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) and associated Reasearch Centres from Belgium. The SynHERA team promotes this scientific knowledge and allows businesses to access it.
Within its two offices, in Brussels and Namur, the SynHERA team collaborates on a daily basis with various actors:
1. The teacher-researchers of the Hautes Écoles and associated Research Centres of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
(FWB). More than 1,000 researchers from the 7 departments: agronomy, applied arts, economics, paramedical, pedagogy, social and technical.
2. Belgian or international companies, with a social or economic purpose
3. Actors of the innovation network
For over 20 years, SynHERA has supported and assisted research within UAS and Associated Research Centres through focused actions in setting up projects, events, lobbying and promotion. The objectives of our work are:
– Promoting applied research, a concrete research to meet specific needs
– Maximising synergies between UAS and companies
– Giving companies the opportunity to solve problems, boost innovation and develop new technologies
– Enabling companies with an economic or social purpose to access the skills and expertise of UAS
– Supporting researchers in the development of their activities
– Highlighting and disseminating the work of researchers
– Training teachers in research activities
– Representing UAS to public and political authorities
SynHERA is expanding within an international network with key players based in Europe and all over the world. The pluridisciplinary team is active in 2 different offices (Brussels and Namur) and gather 12 experts that support SynHERA’s members through a variety of activities: training, informing, promoting, networking, advocating.
BUILDERS Ecole d’Ingénieurs is a “Grande Ecole” founded in 1993, offering Civil engineering education at bachelor’s and Master’s levels. Located in Caen, Normandy, Builders currently delivers education to approximately 800 students, 10% of them having an apprenticeship contract.
Builders curricula are designed around three fields of excellence:
- Eco-materials and Sustainable Construction,
- Port and Coastal Engineering,
- Smart Building and BIM Design
BUILDERS had two main Research and Development facilities:
- Materials lab: The objective of this research team is to develop alternative materials from recycled resources (natural fibres, recycled aggregates, shells, earth, etc.) that meet specific technical specifications.
- Hydraulic lab: the 40m long and 1.50 meters deep wave flume allows to test on a large scale the impact of waves and tides on coastal infrastructures.
In a context of rising waters this equipment allow the study of the morphology of maritime equipment to better protect shore and populations.
Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI) is a consulting firm established in 1996, with a deep knowledge of the private and public sectors, as well as the processes that allow its clients to foster innovation, be competitive and generate growth. The Group includes SPI, SPI Azores, SPI China, SPI Spain, SPI USA, SPI Ventures, Turivã, Herdade da Torre Vã and an affiliate office in Brussels, through a partnership with the European Business & Innovation Network (EBN). Our positioning as an innovation facilitator, namely the one that results from strong science and technology contributions and a close connection to the dynamics of development, allows us to intervene at a global level, reinforcing the network of contacts and creating organizational value. With worldwide interests, we continue to expand and diversify our international presence.
SPI’s strong links with companies, business associations, cluster, universities, research centres, municipalities, regional and central administrations and leading international organizations such as the European Commission, allow it to provide high value-added services in the areas of innovation.”
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