Improvement of master-level education in the field of physical sciences in Belarusian universities (Physics)
Project number: 561525-EPP-1-2015-1-LV-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP
Duration: 15th October 2015 – 14th October 2018
Project status: finished.
Partners:
1.Riga Technical University, Latvia - Project Coordinator
2.KU Leuven University, Belgium
3.University of Cyprus, Cyprus
4.Belarusian State Technological University, Belarus
5.Belarusian State University, Belarus
6.Francisk Skorina Gomel State University, Belarus
7.Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, Belarus
8.Ministry of Education, Republic of Belarus, Belarus
9.Belarusian Physical Society, Belarus
10.Republican Nanoindustry Association, Belarus
Associated partners:
1.LOTIS TII Joint Venture Limited Liability Company, Belarus
2.Research Institute for Nuclear Problems of Belarusian State University, Belarus
Project aim:
Project «Physics» aimed to reform applied physics disciplines nanotechnology, nanomaterials and photonics training programs to promote the emergence of innovation and economic growth in Belarus; to modernize academic programs in the topic of energy efficiency; to contribute to education process in such aspects of this topics energy saving like enhancement of energy efficiency, use of renewable sources.
Project results:
• Master degree program “Modern Methods and Equipment for Physical Measurements” was created and successfully implemented
• Books on Applied Physics, Photonics, Functional Nanomaterials and Applied informatics were designed and printed
• Academic disciplines "Nanophotonics", "Physico-chemical methods of analysis", "Optical methods of investigations" for undergraduates were developed
• Infrared Fourier spectrometer Nicolet iS10 (Thermo Scientific), worth 42 thousand dollars was bought and now is used at the laboratory of molecular spectroscopy and optics, Faculty of Physics and Technology.
• January 24, 2017 YKSUG representatives took part in a meeting on the implementation of the project, which was held at the Belarusian State Technological University. Main aim of the meeting was development of training materials for master degree programmes "Photonics" and "Functional Nanomaterials", as well as the curricula and programs in these specialties; discussion of upcoming internships of students and teachers of the Faculty of Physics and Technology at European universities.
• In February 2017 lecturers and students of the Faculty of Physics and Technology visited the Campus of the Technological Faculty of the Leuven Catholic University in Ostend (Belgium). The aim of the visit was to participate in scientific and technical training. The training program was organized at the Faculty of Engineering Technologies, and was held in the form of lectures and demonstrations on solar energy, wind energy, fuel cells, optics, laser and optical fiber, material properties and electromagnetic compatibility. In the result participants were proposed to conduct laboratory work on optical fiber, the synthesis of biodiesel, the study of the properties of materials, as well as the measurement of wind speed and its effect on dunes.
• April 20-21, 2017, lecturers of the Department of General Physics visited the Technological Faculty of the Leuven Catholic University in Ostend (Belgium) and participated in the seminar aimed to discuss the current results of the project. The seminar also included a training on the active use of the virtual learning environment using Blackboard and Moodle systems.
• From 06/09/2017 to 06/13/2017 at the Campus of the Technological Faculty of the Leuven Catholic University (Belgium) was held training to improve the English knowledge of lecturers teaching physics. The purpose of the training was to improve the teaching of physical disciplines for foreign students.
• From February 5 to 16, 2018, the training for students of the Faculty of Physics and Technology was held at the University of Cyprus (Nicosia). The students listened to lectures on calculating and modeling energy systems, including electricity generation and electricity distribution, received from renewable energy sources (wind generators, solar panels). The modeling was held using Matlab + Simulink and Powerworld software. During the classes, students visited laboratories for testing wind turbines and photovoltaic systems.
• On April 12-13, 2018, the meeting of project partners on the accreditation of new curricula in the specialty “Modern Methods and Equipment for Physical Measurements” was held at Belarusian State University. The testing of the developed courses on nanophotonics, optical methods, physico-chemical methods of research and analysis was discussed, as well as issues of equipment acquisition, publications of electronic manuals and future project activities.
• From June 26 to 29, 2018, the 9th workshop dedicated to testing of new special courses for undergraduates in the new specialty “Modern Methods and Measuring Instruments” was held at the Center for Research and Innovation of the University of Cyprus.
• September 12, 2018, representatives of YKSUG took part in the final conference of the project, which was held at the Belarusian State Technological University. Within the framework of the conference, the results of a 2-year work on the project were summed up. Students and undergraduates shared their impressions about their trainings at European partner universities.
- • Two videos about the internships for students and the workshop for project team in Nicosia (Republic of Cyprus) were made and posted on the Internet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLSmEo7QYh8&t=
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xorcDD7tvdM
Projects website http://physics.rtu.lv/
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/515719888598785/
