national Projects
SAIFIN
SATELLITE DATA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR FINTECH
- Period: 2024 - 2025
- Programme: SPOKE 2 “Fundamental Research & Space Economy”, (PNRR) Mission 4, “Education & Research” - Component 2, “From research to business” – Investment line 1.4
- Budget: Euro € 213.360,00
One of the most promising methods for evaluating trading strategies is based on the analysis of satellite data. The main goal of the project is to develop an algorithmic trading system based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) capable of identifying financial trading strategies by leveraging data and information available from the web and satellite sources. This approach, which utilizes satellite data and high-performance computing, enables nowcasting of key metrics to achieve better results in high-frequency trading (HFT), as well as in short-term and medium-to-long-term trading. The necessity of determining effective trading strategies also stems from the complexity of the dynamics driving financial markets, which makes it challenging to formulate successful strategies. Specifically, executing models based on large datasets with many variables requires computational power, parallelization, and efficiency. For this reason, the project will develop algorithms specifically designed for GPUs. The system will consist of two modules, which will form the two work packages of this project: the first module will handle the extraction of information from the web and satellite data, followed by processing to generate a synthetic and functional representation of the data. The second module will be the actual automated trading system, where the information gathered from the first module will be used to train an AI-based model aimed at determining an effective trading strategy.
SPECTRA
SPECTRAL PATTERN EXTRACTION FOR CLASSIFYING TRANSIENT RADIATIONS IN ASTRONOMY WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
- Period: 2024 - 2025
- Programme: SPOKE 3 “Tourism and Culture Industry”, (PNRR) Mission 4, “Education & Research” - Component 2, “From research to business” – Investment line 1.4
- Budget: Euro € 95.436,00
The SPECTRA project aims to innovate astronomical observation by applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and analyze transient astronomical sources from high-energy gamma-ray data. Transient sources, such as gamma-ray bursts, supernovae and solar flares, are crucial phenomena to understand the high-energy Universe. However, the detection of such phenomena is challenging due to their ephemeral nature and the large amount of data produced by gamma-ray experiments. The approach proposed in this project aims to use Deep Learning algorithms to process and analyze spatial and temporal data from telescopes and satellites. In particular, complex Deep Learning architectures, such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for image analysis and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), including LSTMs, and Attention-based models such as Transformers, will be employed to handle photon emission time series and GNNs to analyze and model spatial relationships between various astronomical objects/events or recognize and classify complex patterns in the data that are not immediately evident through more traditional approaches.
SKILL-UP
DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL SOFT SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN PUGLIA REGION
- Period: 2024 - 2025
- Programme: Fund for the Digital Republic – Social Enterprise - Prospettive Call for Proposal
- Budget: Euro € 407.349,00
The project aims to develop the digital soft skills of women and men on the margins of the labor market (unemployed and inactive individuals aged between 34 and 50) located in the Puglia region, with the goal of providing better opportunities and conditions for entering and remaining in the workforce. The project includes the following activities: the creation and delivery of a training course and a specific curriculum focused on developing digital soft skills, including theoretical lessons, practical activities, and coaching; the creation and delivery of specific workshops on online job searching; virtual job interview simulations to allow participants to practice their communication and presentation skills in a realistic environment; and the promotion of the project to potential beneficiaries and stakeholders.
GenD
EDUCATING FOR THE FUTURE: PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN THE DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
- Period: 2024 - 2025
- Programme: Call For Project Proposals Addressing Educational and Digital Poverty
- Budget: Euro € 90.000,00
In recent years, the increase in absolute poverty and the decrease in cultural and educational spending have contributed to creating a challenging environment for young people. The growing dependence on the internet and social media, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has further worsened the situation, leading to mental health issues and social skill deficits among youth. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach involving families, schools, and social institutions. The project aims to tackle these challenges by seeking to combat educational and digital poverty among young people aged 8 to 18 in the Vanchiglia area of Turin, where there is a notable lack of significant cultural initiatives. Through a series of targeted activities, GenD is committed to providing constructive alternatives to the nightlife culture and the risks associated with drug trafficking and alcohol abuse. The project offers a comprehensive strategy to promote digital education and family well-being, preparing families to navigate the ever-evolving digital world consciously through the following activities:
- Thematic meetings for parents focusing on digital issues and social, psychological, and emotional distress during adolescence.
- Workshops, events, and social gatherings for young people led by experts, followed by moments of socialization and the promotion of healthy technology use.
- Informative material and digital awareness initiatives to support families in the responsible management of technology.
- An 8-hour online training course for parents to address digital challenges and promote a balanced family environment.
- Development and analysis of case studies to maximize the project's impact.
PNRR PATHWAYS: GUIDANCE IN THE SCHOOL-TO-UNIVERSITY TRANSITION
- Period: 2022 - 2026
- Programme: PNRR - National Recovery and Resilience Plan - Mission 4: Education and Research, Investment 1.6 "Active Guidance in the School-to-University Transition"
- Budget: Euro € 149.000,00
Unimarconi offers training programs aimed at facilitating the transition from secondary school to university. These programs, each lasting 15 hours with at least ⅔ of the time to be conducted in person, are intended for students enrolled in upper secondary school. The activities, which can be organized as part of the curriculum or as extracurricular activities, will provide a certificate of attendance for those who participate in at least 70% of the scheduled hours. Hours completed, for those who do not reach 70%, may be recognized within the PCTO – Paths for Transversal Skills and Guidance.
The orientation courses aim to enable students to:
- Self-assess, verify, and consolidate their knowledge to bridge the gap between what they possess and what is required for their study interests;
- Experience active, participatory, and laboratory-based disciplinary teaching, guided by the scientific method of learning;
- Understand the context of higher education and its value in a knowledge society, explore different educational opportunities as a means for personal growth and the realization of sustainable and inclusive societies;
- Gain insights into work sectors, potential career paths, as well as future sustainable and inclusive jobs and their connection to the knowledge and skills acquired.
HEALTHIER AND EARLIER THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY: TOWARDS A TRANSDIAGNOSTIC STAGING MODEL OF EATING AND SLEEP DISORDERS IN ADOLESCENCE
- Period: 2024 - 2025
- Programme: PRIN - Research Projects of National Relevance – Call for proposal 2022
- Budget: Euro € 260.486,00
This project focus on sleep and eating disorders, which are highly prevalent among adolescents, often co-occur, and are associated with many significant comorbidities and functional impairment. Sleep and eating disorders share common maintaining factors, including negative affect, functional impairment and increased reactivity to disease-related stimuli. The project will use a transdiagnostic staging model to produce new knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the transition from prodromal symptoms to full-blown syndromes in adolescence. A longitudinal and multimodal approach to data collection will be used to examine the predictive risk of psychological factors implicated in the onset and maintenance of eating and/or sleep disorders.
Individuals at high-risk for, or with clinical symptoms of eating and/or sleep disorders will be identified through agile online surveys and will be referred early to online resources for self-care. A putative and promising transdiagnostic mechanism for the development of eating and/or sleep disorders, i.e., increased reactivity to disease-related stimuli, will be tested using virtual reality, an inclusive, affordable and engaging technology. A pilot study will be embedded in this project to test the acceptability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a virtual reality self-guided intervention to improve emotion regulation towards disease-related stimuli and remediate eating and/or sleep problems in adolescence. The feasibility of the project is demonstrated by its deep rooting in studies
previously conducted by the research team, by their documented and integrated expertise in the fields of eating disorders, sleep disorders, experimental research, and analysis of big data, and by their national and international network of collaborations, which will inform the refinement of the project’s goals and methods throughout, and which will ensure that findings are disseminated widely to the relevant stakeholders.
MOTHERS
POOR SLEEP DURING PREGNANCY AS RISK FACTOR FOR POST-PARTUM STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH: A TRANSLATIONAL, LONGITUDINAL AND CLINICAL STUDY. MATERNAL OUTCOME AFTER THERAPY FOR SLEEP
- Period: 2023 - 2025
- Programme: PRIN - Research Projects of National Relevance – Call for proposal 2022
- Budget: Euro € 194.330,00
The project addresses psychobiological mechanisms leading to peripartum mental disorders. It focuses on one key risk factor for psychopathology, which is poor sleep continuity. The project adopts a multidisciplinary synergistic approach combining a clinical team and a preclinical team in the attempt to: describe the link between maternal poor sleep quality and the cascade of events which may enhance vulnerability to stress and risk for mental disorders; unravel molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship and their inter-generational persistence; evaluate the efficacy in preventing these negative outcomes of specific psychological prenatal interventions. From basic-research perspective, long-term consequences of poor maternal sleep on adult sleep phenotypes will be described exploring epigenetic mechanisms at the base of this relationship and validating peripheral biomarkers for early-life stress exposure. From clinical-research perspective, longitudinal psychobiological associations between sleep and mental health related variables will be evaluated from early pregnancy to 6-months post-partum in women with insomnia symptoms compared to good sleepers. A target preventive intervention directed to improve sleep and prevent peripartum psychopathology will be tested in a randomized controlled trial in women with insomnia symptoms without psychiatric comorbidity. Genetic, biological, physiological and psychological psychotherapy-related outcomes will be evaluated. Attention to dynamic influences between family members will be dedicated. The project has several potential applications, including: development of a translational model describing how sleep during pregnancy affects stress adaptation and depression during post-partum in women and female mice; demonstration of long-term negative impact of antenatal stress conditions in maternal health care; establishment of new ecological assessments of sleep problems in real life for both research and clinical purposes; promotion of innovative preventing interventions targeting sleep quality for depression and anxiety outcome in pregnant women complaining insomnia; identification and validation of new and easily applicable biomarkers of maternal poor sleep quality.
THE LEXICALIZATION OF THE ADJECTIVE CLASS IN INDO-EUROPEAN AND SEMITIC
- Period: 2023 - 2025
- Programme: PRIN - Research Projects of National Relevance – Call for proposal 2022
- Budget: Euro € 204.980,00
The project bridges together historical and typological linguistics. Its main results concern parts of speech (PoS) typology, Indo-European (IE) and Semitic studies, as well as linguistic terminology, theoretical morphology and the history of language science. It is well-know that a cross-linguistically agreed and consistent theory of PoS classification has never been proposed so far. Moreover, quite a few scholars think that such theory is not only lacking at present; rather it is impossible in principle. The project will counter such view bringing in two results. It will: i) propose a new and consistent theory of PoS classification across languages, testing such theory against a balanced variety sample of 60 languages; ii) use such theory to describe two enormous and previously neglected or understudied typological changes at the level of the PoS which occurred in two of the most ancient language families of the world, namely Indo-European and Semitic.
These families were chosen for their long and continuous tradition, which helps identify long-term typological changes. They also exhibit a novel type of change not previously discussed: lexicalization. This term, akin to grammaticalization, describes the emergence of a class of primary adjectival morphemes in a language's lexicon. Specifically, it refers to the shift of a major part of speech, such as adjectives, from the realm of grammar and word formation to that of the lexicon. This lexicalization process is observed in the adjective class within both families being studied. I dentifying changes in linguistic typology will enhance our understanding of general-typological linguistics and enable us to propose a new, cross-linguistically valid definition of the root, a key unit in historical linguistics. Traditionally, the root has been seen as either a diachronic concept, a formal consonantal template, or simply a verb stem with historical roots in Indian or Arabic grammars. This project aims to challenge these views by demonstrating that the Sanskrit and Arabic root is not merely a formal unit but a lexical morpheme in languages that primarily feature verbal roots and nouns. In these languages, what is typically called an "adjective" is actually a derived stem, a nominalization built from a verb meaning a quality, akin to a verb-like adjective as described by Dixon.
REGULATING TECHNOLOGICAL DRIVEN FINANCE: ACTIVITIES, SUBJECTS AND SUPERVISION IN THE DIGITAL ERA.
- Period: 2022 - 2025
- Programme: PRIN - Research Projects of National Relevance – Call for proposal 2020
- Budget: Euro € 225.776,00
The project aims at investigating the financial innovation in the EU internal market due to the free movement of capitals and the new operational solutions introduced by the latest technologies, in order to provide an effective contribution for the benefit of the global networks (i.e. FSB, IMF), the regional regulatory authorities (i.e. EU bodies) and domestic institutions in their effort to set the laws and regulations in this field (with respect to the proposal of a ‘national plan for the recovery and resilience’ made by the Italian Government of 15 January 2021). Hence, the research will verify the thesis that the digitalization reduces the power of the State to regulating technological driven finance and an increasing number of operators may access the market for capital and financial services without being subject to the proper supervision.The Research Group aims at going further in a path started by the investigators and published in several journals and books that analysed the nexus between innovation, technology, economic fundamental rights, customers’ protection and State regulation (on ‘electronic money institutions’ (2000), ‘remote marketing of insurance services’ (2012), ‘shadow banking system’ (2016), ‘financial markets’ (2019), ‘big data’ (2019), ‘financial data aggregators’ (2019) and ‘fintech regulation’ (2020)).
This analysis will deliver a specific outcome to satisfy the general interest for this topic resulting from the economical relevance of innovative and technological driven forms of banking and finance: a quantitative analysis of the financial innovation will testify how the new techniques influence the economy of G20 Countries.
Then, the results would improve the public awareness in the scientific field of the multifaceted ways of digitalization in the market for capital and financial services, of the diverging approach towards such innovations by incumbent and new operators, of the relevant risks and opportunities and the subsequent need for public intervention to protect individual rights and financial stability. These results will also contribute to the search for an innovation-friendly environment that does not hinder capitals flows in the EU internal market while at the same time supports the real economy.
GIANO
GEO-RISKS ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
- Period: 2022 - 2025
- Programme: PRIN - Research Projects of National Relevance – Call for proposal 2020
- Budget: Euro € 661.353,00
The GIANO project goals are: 1) to define a robust protocol for the quantitative assessment of the risk deriving from the geo-hazards afflicting the Italian cultural heritage; 2) most important, to identify the least invasive and best suited geotechnical mitigation techniques to tackle these geo-hazards, for various typologies of monumental constructions. Owing to the multi-disciplinary nature of the subject, a holistic approach will be adopted, appointing an advisory committee (End Users Group, EUG) made of experts of complementary, relevant skills. Frequently, damages in heritage assets have a geotechnical origin. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is perhaps the best, paradigmatic example in this regard, since it is founded on a highly compressible and spatially heterogeneous soil deposit responsible of an uneven distribution of ground settlements. Other relevant geohazards affecting Italian cultural heritage are: slope instability, expanding soils, subsidence, piping, leaching, sinkholes, ground vibrations, and of course earthquakes.
The GIANO project will be carried out in 3 subsequent Actions. In Action 1, for some archetypes of historical constructions selected in advance as representative of the variety of Italian cultural heritage, an in-depth geo-risk assessment will be carried out using the specific know-how of the involved RUs. This will allow to build up a virtual laboratory for the simulation of typical failure mechanisms, out of which fragility models will be defined, using convenient calculation tools like the macro-elements. In Action 2, the best suited mitigation technologies will be studied, quantifying their effect on geo-risks mitigation. For two specific combinations of historical construction and geo-hazard of the list analysed in Action 1, an in-depth pilot study will be carried out, performing non-invasive geotechnical investigations and centrifuge tests on reduced-scale models with and without mitigation actions. Advanced numerical analyses of the Ground-Monument System (GMS) will be carried out to investigate numerically the most suitable, non-invasive hazard mitigation technology.
Action 3 is a major pillar of the project as it aims to turn the project outcomes into a set of technical recommendations and guidelines that will to be used by public authorities, decision makers and conservation specialists to identify and effectively mitigate the geo-hazards afflicting many heritage assets.
ZEPHYRUS
ZERO EMISSION PROCESS FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCION VIE REVERSIBLE USE OF SOLID SORBENS
- Period: 2021 - 2023
- Programme: Por FESR Lazio 2014-2020
- Budget: Euro € 144.047,70
The ZEPHYRUS project (Zero Emission Process for HYdrogen production via Reversible Use of Solid sorbents) coordinated by the Guglielmo Marconi University (USGM) focuses on the development of innovative processes for the production of green hydrogen from biomass and waste gasification. The other partners of the project are ENEA and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN).
DIGITAL COMMUNICATION AS A TOOL TO DEVELOP BUSINESS
- Period: 2020 - 2021
- Programme: Action and Cohesion Programme (PAC), Calabria Region 2014-2020
- Budget: Euro € 83.125,00
The project, funded by the Calabria Region under the Action and Cohesion Program (PAC), aims to create a training course leading to a professional qualification certificate as a Digital Communication Technician (Digital Strategic Planner). The role of the "Digital Communication Technician" involves designing, developing, managing, and coordinating targeted communication activities based on identified business needs. This professional is particularly responsible for planning and developing content, publishing online, managing Social Media Marketing and Advertising activities, as well as publishing content online and managing websites. The course, aimed at young unemployed individuals, has a total duration of 500 hours, including theoretical classroom lessons for the teaching of technical-professional and basic skills, laboratory activities, and a final training internship. The second edition of the course (year 2021) has also been funded.
AIRE
ADVANCED INTEGRATION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGIES
- Period: 2021 - 2024
- Programme: Industrial research and experimental development projects in the 12 areas of specialization identified in PNR (National Research Program) 2015-2020
- Budget: Euro € 3.838.891,17
Reducing CO2 emissions and imports of primary energy sources are among the objectives of the European Union. One option is to gasify local residual biomass and convert it into high-value gaseous fuels. The production of gaseous fuels from domestic biomass will reduce the dependence of the transport and electricity sectors on oil and natural gas imports. Furthermore, the use of biological residues avoids conflicts with food production and other land uses, reducing CO2 emissions. In this context, AIRE wants to develop an integrated and flexible system to generate electricity and store the surplus in two different ways, both aimed at producing Bio-SNG from the gasification of biomass and electricity by ICE in a distributed network. The first consists in the production of Bio-SNG from residual biomass with an innovative gasification technology (100 kWth double fluidized bed gasifier) and integrated gas conditioning with an advanced methanation reactor (methane yield of 2-5 Nm3/ h): the final objective is to test an integrated pilot plant to obtain synthetic natural gas.
International Projects
LIFE3H
HYDROGEN DEMONSTRATION IN CITY, PORT AND MOUNTAIN AREA TO DEVELOP INTEGRATED HYDROGEN VALLEYS
- Period: 2021 - 2025
- Programme: LIFE Programme of the European Union
- Budget: Euro € 6.339.853,00
The general objective of the life3h project is to create, test and replicate 3 hydrogen valleys (hv) starting from the construction of buses powered by excess hydrogen (h2) from local industrial production, thus closing the cycle (circular economy). the project tests new transport solutions to improve air quality by reducing emissions and to facilitate mobility, economic growth and environmental sustainability in urban and natural areas. The sites for the creation of the hydrogen valley are: Altopiano delle Rocche (Abruzzo Region); historic city of Terni (Umbria); port of Civitavecchia (Lazio Region).
LIFE2M
LONG LIFE TO MICROMOBILITY
- Period: 2021 - 2025
- Programme: LIFE Programme of the European Union
- Budget: Euro € 4.364.468,00
The project aims to promote micromobility as the most efficient and eco-friendly way to navigate urban and peri-urban areas. We believe that by making micromobility more accessible and sustainable, we can overcome the main obstacles hindering its adoption and create a greener tomorrow. The project innovative approach focuses on developing and demonstrating new technological elements and components, with a special emphasis on hybrid supercapacitor technology. Through our retrofit service and introduction of innovative microvehicles powered by these cutting-edge accumulators, we aim to make micromobility more economically advantageous for private users and sharing service operators alike.
ProCyD
A MODULAR HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN DATA PROTECTION AND CYBERSECURITY FOR SUPPORTING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN MOZAMBIQUE AND SOUTH AFRICA
- Period: 2024 - 2026
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Capacity Building in Higher Education, Strand 2
- Budget: Euro € 799.971,00
The envisioned goal of the project is the introduction or strengthening of data protection and cybersecurity into higher education to support the digital transformation in Mozambique and South Africa. Digital transformation is a challenge that all countries around the world must face. Developing countries such as Mozambique as well as emerging countries such as South Africa can particularly benefit from the upcoming changes: digitalisation can be a successful accelerator to escape the poverty trap and reduce the gap between rich and poor. But it can also have the opposite effect and increase poverty and inequality. Above all, however, the handling of data protection and data security issues is not clarified here in many places. Digitalisation needs IT security and people who, based on knowledge in both data security and data protection, can realistically assess the benefits and risks that accompany this transformation.
ProCyD project aims to support the people, the economy, civil society, academia, and political decision-makers of our partner countries in taking advantage of the opportunities of digital transformation and mastering competent risks. With a modular system of courses for students and lecturers of the partner HEIs, the project wants to make a significant contribution here.
The plan is to design and implement a course for general basic qualification as well as new study programmes at the bachelor’s and the master’s level. The development of an online masters’ programme at the South African HEIs that will be made available to the partner HEIs and beyond will increase the impact of the project. To address the challenge that the partner HEIs lack qualified teaching staff in the targeted subject areas, we plan a pilot master’s programme with semesters abroad within the project runtime. This will create an initial pool of specialists as well as lecturers, which will ensure the sustainability of the project results.
DIG-2-INC
INCLUSION TO DIGITAL LEARNING
- Period: 2023 - 2025
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation Partnerships/Small-Scale Partnerships
- Budget: Euro € 400.000,00
The project is designed to ensure inclusion of low socio-economic status (low-SES) students in higher education. The aims of the project are aligned with the EU Digital Education Action Plan, and the practical application of life and digital skills described in the Digital Competences Framework of the EU into the learning and teaching processes of the universities as educational organisations. By focusing on life skills and digital skills, the project enables a more flexible access to training and learning opportunities for the underprivileged students, and tackles stratification, discrimination and intergenerational poverty. Partner universities has identified disparities between disadvantaged and advantaged learners focus especially on academic skills in digital environment.
The project main results are the for students as well as to raise awareness of academic staff of the experiences faced by low-SES students and offer them tools to facilitate acquisition of crucial academic skills through micro-credentials and open badges.
The project outcomes to improve inclusion and develop life skills, in particular academic skills, of low-SES student, are:
- Report of a Mapping Study
- Joint Staff training curricula and pilots
- Report of Design Principles for Inclusive Learning Experience
- Repository of Open Digital Learning Materials for students
- Ecosystem of Open Badges for Academic Skills for Students
- Dissemination events with multiplier organizations and stakeholders
RE-OPEN
REMOTE LABORATORIES FOR PRACTICAL EXPERIMENTS ON RENEWABLE ENERGIES AT EU UNIVERSITIES
- Period: 2021 - 2023
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices – Strategic partnership to support EU Digital Education Readiness
- Budget: Euro € 298.665,00
European HEIs have to cope with the Digital transformation and the challenges created by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many universities have suddenly moved their lessons online leaving aside other activities usually performed in presence, such as laboratories. Practical experiences are crucial for STEM and engineering subjects for the students’ further employability and to acquire pivotal technical and social skills, and experimental skills. Virtual labs and simulations allow to mimic the lab setting but, for how realistic they are, they cannot include every real situation. Remote labs could be a solution allowing students to access remotely to the physical labs to perform practical experiences. The project objective is to design, test and validate an innovative standard educational model and ICT solution for the Augmented Reality-AR remote labs setting up on renewable energies topics in EU universities. The project main tangible results are:
1.Report on best practices and standard model for remote labs setting up in EU universities (IO1) designed based on the mapping of both remote and physical labs on renewable
energy at EU partners universities;
2.ICT system for the connection at distance of the physical laboratories (IO2) with the support of the Augmented Reality (AR) technique. The system includes a LMS platform
(SCORM) (IO4) as users’ interface to host the experimentation projects, collect and analyse the experiment data and students’ reporting/self-assessment results;
3.remote experimentation modules/projects on renewable energy topic for the performing of remote practical activities (IO3);
4.testing and validation report on remote Laboratories setting up in EU partners universities (IO5).
GICO
GASIFICATION INTEGRATED WITH CO2 CAPTURE AND CONVERSION
- Period: 2020 - 2024
- Programme: Horizon 2020, Innovation and Networks Executive Agency, Developing the next generation of renewable energy technologies.
- Budget: Euro € 3.928.257,50
The GICO project is funded by the European Commission under the framework of the Horizon 2020 programme. GICO aims to develop renewable energy technologies that will form the backbone of the EU energy system by 2030 and 2050. GICO seeks to develop an advanced (in terms of applicability, reliability, efficiency, cost and impacts), smart and flexible (encompassing almost all biomass residues and highly discontinuous electricity) approach to convert bioenergy and RES electricity excess into biofuel and on-demand power production, so producing fuel for the transport sector meanwhile balancing the grid stability. To achieve such goals, a solution based on the integration of advanced SEG, CCSU and P2G technologies is proposed.
The main project activities are:
a) Biomass, HTC, SEG and HGC: the proof of- concept of an advanced sorption enhanced gasification (SEG) process for high efficiency high purity H2 stream production along with a high concentrated CO2 stream from residual biomass will be demonstrated through material and process development.
b) Co2 Conversion and O2 Separation: a series of plasma assisted catalysis technologies will be developed and tested in order to compare the result and define the most convenient technology for the final application.
c) Integrated Lab Scale Tests and Industrial Plant Design: different reactors will be tested and the proper plant design for future applications will be evaluated.
d) Modelling & Validation: entire process of fully system simulation (at large scale) for performance analysis and system optimization.
e) Dissemination Communication and Exploitation: a detailed market assessment and efficient business strategies for the successful implementation and replication of the GICO model will be carried out.
UNITEL
MODERNISATION AND INTERNATIONALISATION OF IRANIAN HEI VIA COLLABORATIVE TEL-BASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN ENGINEERING AND STEM
- Period: 2021 - 2024
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 348.284,00
The main purpose of the UNITEL project is to support modernisation, internationalisation and accessibility of the HE system within the partner country (Iran) through the development of innovative pedagogical approaches based on collaborative technology enhanced learning methodologies. The UNITEL project aims at tackling the challenges outlined in section D.1 by implementing a working methodology that allows the consortium to achieve two main specific objectives: empowerment of the engineering and STEM departments in Iranian universities in enhancing skills and competences of professors and instructional designers on innovative collaborative ICT-based practices as a means to increase curriculum modernisation and internationalization; modernisation of engineering and STEM curriculum through the development of flexible and accessible training path boosting new educational approaches based on technology enhanced learning and collaborative methodologies. The project concrete results are:
a) baseline analysis: identifies details of the current practices and methodologies of HEIs in Engineering and STEM studies (pedagogical approaches and ICT-supported tools and systems)
e-course for faculty staff: defines the curriculum in terms of course objectives and learning outcomes and designs the online course focused on ICT-supported tools and systems applied to innovative pedagogical approaches composed of Learning Objects that will be developed jointly by partners based on their expertise;
b) piloting phase I: a total of 91 professors and instructional designers in PC HEIs will be trained using the online course delivered through an e-learning platform, which also enabled participants to share opinions, discuss issues among themselves and seek experts’ advice on various situations and challenges they were confronted with.
c) piloting phase II: trained faculty staff is to modernise its own course based on the acquired skills and knowledge. The modernised courses will be accredited within each PC HEI and delivered to a test group of students (at least 10 each course each HEI for a total of 700 students).
U-SIA
UNIVERSITY TO SOCIETY INNOMEDIARIES IN ALBANIA: CO-PRODUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH THAT MATTERS
- Period: 2021 - 2024
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 333.845,00
“University to Society Innomediaries in Albania: Co-Production of knowledge and research that matters” or USIA is a Capacity Building Project in Higher Education financed by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, managed by the Mediterranean University of Tirana in cooperation with 11 partners in Albania, Serbia, Italy and Germany.
USIA brings together universities, civil society organisations, public institutions and business organisations to enhance an enabling higher education environment that supports university to society collaborations in order to co-produce knowledge and research with an impact that is not only academically insightful but also applicable to the development of Albania in light of European integration and current multiple challenges.
The project strengthens institutional and human resources capacities in universities in Albania through the establishment of Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Brokerage unit that link in an institutionalized and sustainable way university to business, government, civil society, and media. Also, the project will establish and expand a Quadruple Helix network and online platform which will offer networking, matchmaking, brokerage, dissemination, capacity development, support, and valorisation for academic and non-academic actors. The project prioritizes women in academia, research, and innovation.
BRAND4CAREER
ENHANCING CAREER MANAGEMENT SKILLS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL BRAND
- Period: 2021 - 2023
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 293.940,00
The aim of the project is twofold: On the one hand, it will assist career counselors/trainers in introducing a "blended guidance" in online career management training and thus overcome the challenges that COVID-19 caused. On the other hand, it will introduce personal brand as a new method in career management training, that will help job seekers access the job market of their preference. Direct target groups are tertiary education students (mostly those from ICT departments) and career guidance counselors/coaches working in Higher Education institutions. Indirect target groups are schools, training institutions, job agencies, policy makers, ICT companies, VET organizations.
The main results of the project are three:
1) Personal Branding Skills and Actions Identification: a framework comprises the definition of soft skills and relevant actions necessary for developing a personal brand.
2) CV generator: an online tool that will “profile” learners by identifying their personality elements. It aims to organize the information on the CV according to the skills that characterize them the most.
3) Guide on Personal Branding: A guide that will be addressed to career guidance counselors/coaches, enabling them to develop online activities relevant to personal brand. The Guide will contain information and guidelines that will help counselors/coaches incorporate the CV Generator into their training approaches. Furthermore, the guide will propose several online tools that can be used during distance learning, enabling them in this way to adopt a digital approach.
SO-FREE
SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL COMBINED HEAT AND POWER: FUTURE-READY ENERGY
- Period: 2021 - 2025
- Programme: Horizon 2020, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking.
- Budget: Euro € 3.045.355,00
SO-FREE has been conceived to realize a truly flexible SOFC platform, addressing the 5 kWe power class, that allows to integrate multiple SOFC stack technologies within any CHP system, fed with any fuel mixture ranging from natural gas to biogas to pure hydrogen. Two stack technologies are considered in order to cover the full spectrum ranging from the lowest-temperature anode-supported stacks operating at 650°C to electrolyte-supported stacks running at 850°C. The ambition of SO-FREE is to achieve full interchangeability of stacks in different systems, in pursuit of a barrier-free market for SOFC stack and system manufacturers alike, by standardising the stack module-system interface. Main BoP development aspects will focus on the anode gas recirculation and thermal management for the wide operating range, developing necessary controls to achieve fully autonomous regulation of the system as a function of the fuel composition fed.
Finally, the two systems running on flexible fuel compositions will be demonstrated, each for at least 9 months and clocking 6000 hours stack running time. One system will be operated in pre-certification mode addressing all applicable requirements for the prototype in order to formulate a pathway for successive CE conformity and certification. The other system will be operated in end-use application (selected by PGE), in order to identify real-world response and measure ultimate performance, both in terms of stack degradation and end user satisfaction.
The main project activities/results are:
a) System-ready stacks: bridging the proprietary stack technology of two stack designs to a standardized integration into different systems, regarding hardware as well as operation windows, with respect to thermal, mechanical and electrical integration, assembly, service and maintenance.
b) Stack-ready systems: two ~ 5 kW SOFC systems will be developed and functionally tested via the standardized stack-system module interface both systems will be capable of using both stack module designs.
c) Pre-certification, Demonstration, Economic Assessment: including system pre-certification, demonstration and economic assessment.
d) Dissemination, communication, standardisation and exploitation
UNET
UNIVERSITY NETWORK ON PHD PROGRAMMES IN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
- Period: 2021 - 2024
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 312.390,00
Access to sustainable energy is an important basis for the economic development of a country and for the quality of life of the population. For the partner country of this project (Tanzania) new energy technology is needed for the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources (RES). Innovation and highly skilled human recourses are of outmost importance for technology development in the field. The universities can support this transition by providing the manpower and the research needed. The partner universities acknowledge the needs for introducing taught PhD programmes with organised course-work and associated needs for specializing and improving the laboratories. The solution to this problem is to jointly develop a PhD Course Catalogue and to share access to specialized laboratories. This will be cost and time effective and promote regional collaboration and mobility of PhD researchers.
Tanzania has been implementing reforms in the energy sector, for the development of its enormous energy potential and to increase the contribution of renewable energy (hydropower, solar and wind power, bio). A wide range of power generation projects are expected that will increase the availability of power in general and contribute to the supply of electricity in rural areas.
However, Tanzania has an acute shortage of engineers specialized in energy technology, especially at PhD level. In order to increase specialists who are capable to serve the Energy sector, it is necessary to train people who will have the capacity to solve the energy problems of the local industry and other consumers.
AB4Rail
ALTERNATIVE BEARERS FOR RAIL
- Period: 2021 - 2022
- Programme: Horizon 2020 – Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking
- Budget: Euro € 349.926,25
The AB4RAIL project is centered on the study and the assessment of the Adaptable Communication System (ACS) in terms of Alternative Bearers (left) and Communication Protocols (right) for railways applications. The Radiolabs Consortium will coordinate this international challenge together with the Guglielmo Marconi University, a partner of the Consortium, and thanks to the collaboration of the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the ROMA TRE University. The two-year project, which began on January 1, 2021, will have as its main objectives: the identification of alternative wireless technologies (or alternative “bearers”) for communications in the railway sector (Workstream 1); the study and evaluation of communication protocols for railway applications (Workstream 2); Dissemination of the results among stakeholders, industrial partners and strategic referents of the railway sector and of the Shif2Rail and X2Rail-5 programs. In detail:
Workstream 1 – Alternative bearers for railway applications: studying and assessing the alternative bearer technologies for enhancing train-to-ground communications so to enrich the pool of access network options for the Adaptable Communication System (ACS)
Workstream 2 – Communications Protocols for railway applications: investigating the operations of ACS on the application side focusing on the proper usage of (secure/un-secure) transport and application protocols for improving end-to-end performance.
TRUST
FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL INNOVATION TO MODERNISE AND DEVELOP CURRICULA OF VIETNAMESE AND PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITIES
- Period: 2020 - 2024
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 871.974,00
The global transformation of the 4th Industrial Revolution is also transforming the financial sector due to the technological invasion that it entails. Universities around the world are trying to address this revolution by adapting their educational offerings to the emerging demands of the financial market. The TRUST project aims to design and implement a new Master in FINancial TECHnology-FINTECH, as well as to modernize / update pre-existing masters of the faculties of Economics and Business with specific content on FINTECH in the project partner universities of the countries of Southeast Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The masters will be delivered in blended mode (workshop / distance learning) through the TRUST e-learning platform and at least 120 students will be selected per partner country. The project also aims to modernize the higher education institutions of the partner countries through the development of professional skills of teaching and non-teaching staff, and through the purchase of software and tools necessary for specific training in the field of Fintech in each higher education institution in Vietnam and the Philippines. TRUST is coordinated by Marconi University, and the University of Belgrade (Serbia), Glasgow Caledonian University (UK), three Philippine Universities (Mapua University, University of Cebu, Saint Luis University) and three Vietnamese Universities (Ho Chi Min Open University, Vientnam National University, HUE College of Economics) are participating as partners. Furthermore, Deus Technology (Italian Fintech start up) and the Fintech Philippines Association are partners in the project.
REACH
REINFORCING ACCESS TO CROSS BORDER EMPLOYMENT AT PALESTINIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS-PHEIS
- Period: 2020 - 2023
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 948.112,00
Palestine is experiencing increasing unemployment and poverty figures year after year. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), the poverty rate for men and women between the ages of 15 and 29 is 13.5% in the West Bank and 56.0% in the Gaza Strip. One of the main reasons for these high percentages is the lack of job opportunities for approximately 40,000 young students who graduate every year from the 20 universities in the Palestinian territory. The lack of job opportunities and travel restrictions push young graduates to seek employment in companies abroad, mainly freelancers. The REACH project aims to provide knowledge and skills to Palestinian students and young graduates that can be used in finding freelance work on an international basis, enabling them to actively contribute to local economic development. This objective will be achieved not only through direct training to Palestinian students, but also by strengthening the skills and potential of the career centers present in the Palestinian universities participating in the project. Furthermore, we will work on developing a solid network between Palestinian universities and the local and international labor market. REACH is led by the University of Gaza and involves 4 other Palestinian universities (Birzeit University, Palestine Polytechnic University, Al-Quds Open University, An-Najah National University), a local association (The Society of Women Graduates) and 4 European universities (Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi, University of Alicante, University of Ljubljana, Middlesex University Higher Education Corporation).
HANDS
TRADITIONAL CRAFT HERITAGE TRAINING, DESIGN AND MARKETING IN JORDAN AND SYRIA
- Period: 2020 - 2023
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 953.474,00
The project aims to adopt a policy of traditional craft vocational rehabilitation of a qualitative high level of education by linking them with university higher education courses, mainly architectural design, interior design, conservation and preservation of architectural heritage, in order to develop the methodologies, mechanisms and the conditions necessary for knowledge transformation and success and to enhance the traditional craft working environment. A traditional craft vocational training courses will be applied for the students to enhance and to develop their abilities and to build bridges between their theoretical study and the needs of practical world. Undergraduate students should develop their abilities by involving in different training and outreach programs and specifically traditional vocational craft training programs under the supervision of the jordanian and syrian master craftsmen to ensure the essential of knowledge transfer and experience. The project also aims is to develop the staff abilities who will lead the traditional craft vocational training.
This project will provide practice-oriented career relevant education in short and intense courses that lead to accredited vocational courses, preparing graduates for a professional practice in craft heritage projects through establishing a traditional craft centre in Jordan and Syria that will provide:
developing the managerial and marketing skills of craftsmen through courses that addresses the market needs, enriching vocational craft skills and training experience with eu teaching craft skills training experience, establishing connections between the academic education and the traditional craftsmen society.
IND_4.0
Industry 4.0
- Period: 2020 - 2023
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 999.305,00
InD4.0 aims to deliver an MSc Programme in Industry 4.0 that will be offered by the Higher Education Institutions from Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia all belonging to the ASEAN region. In recognizance of the multidisciplinary nature of Industry 4.0, the programme will have an inherent multidisciplinarity combining a range of technological sectors e.g. cyber-physical systems, internet of things and big data analytics with application fields of high importance for the project’s partner countries from both an industrial and economic perspective. The MSc’s structure will thus encompass core courses to provide fundamental technological knowledge of Industry 4.0, which will serve as the foundation for orientation courses that will offer specialization in vertical and horizontal value-creation chains of four key industries, namely Manufacturing, Agriculture, Aquaculture and Pervasive Health.
As a result, the project will adopt a multidisciplinary approach addressing a group of thematic priorities set for the Asian region by providing learning tools, frameworks and methodologies for various core courses that will integrate information and communication technologies, physics, mathematics and engineering all comprising essential scientific fields to understand and realize the technological components of Industry 4.0. The project will also address the regional thematic priorities of manufacturing and processing, agriculture, fisheries and health as application domains of the Industry 4.0 paradigm through specialization courses that will be arranged as a mix of theory and application, in a context of project-based education.
BLAZE
BIOMASS LOW COST ADVANCED ZERO EMISSION SMALL-TO-MEDIUM SCALE INTEGRATED GASIFIER-FUEL CELL COMBINED HEAT AND POWER PLANT
- Period: 2019 - 2024
- Programme: Horizon 2020 – Programme for Research and Innovation
- Budget: Euro € 4.255.615,00
BLAZE aims at developing Low cost, Advanced and Zero Emission first-of-a-kind small-to-medium Biomass CHP. This aim is reached by developing bubbling fluidised bed technology integrating high temperature cleaning & conditioning system (IBFBG, that can convert heterogeneous feedstocks in a syngas with zero particulate matter and ultra-low tar and contaminants content), an integrated high temperature gas cleaning approach for HCl and H2S removal and an innovative key component for thermal and chemical integration of solid oxide fuel cell (efficient gas recirculation of the fuel cell anode exhaust to the gasification process via a steam-driven high speed micro-compressor using gas bearing technology). The technology is developed for a CHP capacity range from small (25-100 kWe) to medium (0.1-5 MWe) scale and is characterised by the widest fuel spectrum applicable (forest, agricultural, industrial and municipal waste also with high moisture, ash and contaminants content), high efficiencies (50% electrical versus the actual 20%), low investment (< 4 k€/kWe) and operation (≈ 0.05 €/kWh) costs as well as almost zero gaseous and PM emissions, projecting electricity production cost below 0.10 €/kWh. Gasification, gas cleaning & conditioning and fuel cells will be tested at lab scale and 25 kWe SOFC will be thermally and chemically integrated in 100 kWth IBFBG demonstrating the achievement of new milestones, increasing competitiveness of EU industry, energy system reliability and flexibility and biomass plants social acceptance. Process simulations, computer aided design, tests, performance evaluation, risk and safety analysis as well as a technology assessment part covering techno-economic, environmental and overall impact assessments and market studies will be carried out together with a clear dissemination, exploitation and communication plan, that can count on the involvement of the main gasifier, gas conditioning and SOFC European companies and research centres.
KUTEL
KAZAKH UNIVERSITIES TO FOSTER QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCESSES IN TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED LEARNING
- Period: 2018 - 2021
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 717.277,00
KUTEL Piloting venture will be aimed at reinforcing the role of Higher Education (HE) in Kazakhstan, strategic vehicle to boost economic growth, employment rate and then quality of life and social well-being of citizens. KUTEL promotes reform and modernization of HE through the introduction of a national Quality Assurance (QA) system for technology - enhanced learning (TeL), new and challenging in EU and in Kazakhstan, implementing accreditation standards, guidelines and procedures for QA of TeL courses and study programs at a national/international level. In so doing, KUTEL will contribute to the rise of students’ enrolment numbers despite the difficult conditions of the fluctuant economic growth through widespread use of e-learning methodologies and a high-quality training offer.
Core results which cope with existing needs and support national/EU priorities are:
1. Accreditation standards, guidelines and procedures for QA of TeL study programs development in Kazakhstan HE System according to EU practices; 2. Pilot Training addressed to Key Actors of Public/Private HE System, academic staff and QA HE accreditation bodies to enhance competences/skills to build up TEL QA Framework in study programs; 3. EU TEL Roadmap for QA standard, Baseline Kazakhstan TEL QA Framework, Recommendations QA Framework will be further developed for a successful capacity building process.
PROFIC
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
- Period: 2018 - 2021
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 687.663,00
The aim of the PROFIC project is to effectively support IC curriculum development through professional development and pedagogical testing in Latin American (Argentina, El Salvador, Mexico) HEIs in order to enhance quality of educational delivery in diverse cultural settings. Therefore, the PROFIC project specific objectives are: 1) to identify specific intercultural needs and challenges for curriculum development in participating Latin American HEIs; 2) to develop an integrated and blended professional development programme for LA HEI employees in order to increase their personal IC and ability to impart this knowledge on their students through curriculum development; 3) to develop a free open educational resource (OER) by way of an adaptive PROFIC Toolkit that would support HEIs in intercultural learning and teaching; 4) to develop a network for knowledge exchange and sharing best practices between Latin American and European HEIs in the field of curriculum development of intercultural competence.
MINERVA
STRENGTHENING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT AND OPEN SCIENCE CAPACITIES OF HEIS IN MOLDOVA AND ARMENIA
- Period: 2019 - 2021
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 979.989,00
Open science, open innovation, and openness to the world are set as one of the main research and innovation strategies in the European Research Area (ARA). Open science provides an effective framework for the enhancement of research transparency, dissemination, collaborations, and accountability. The academic community in Moldova and Armenia have recognized the importance and advantages of open science principles which is manifested through the numerous initiatives undertaken by the government bodies, faculties, libraries, NGOs, and journal publishers. However, in the absence of coordination, compromise on standards, and a solid legislative support, these initiatives seem isolated and ineffective from the global point of view.
The main aim of the MINERVA is to develop conditions for the implementation of the core principles of Open Science at universities in Moldova and Armenia. The Project specific objective is threefold: 1. to advance national and institutional guidelines, policies, and incentives related to the open science in Moldova and Armenia; 2. to establish digital repositories at all project`s partner HEIs in Moldova and Armenia and to foster their infrastructural development and interoperability, and; 3. to build human research capacities in order to ensure the sustainable implementation of open science principles and enhance the social inclusiveness and accountability of publicly-funded research.
NPGMNP
NEW POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL AND NURSING PROGRAMS IN “HEPATO-PANCREATO-BILIARY (HPB) DISEASES & LIVER TRANSPLANT”, COMPATIBLE TO EU STANDARDS: UNIVERSITY-MINISTRY OF HEALTH PARTNERSHIP
- Period: 2018 - 2021
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 849.690,00
The NPGMNP project aims to establish a New Professional Diploma in Medicine “Clincal Hepatology, Anesthesiology & Critical Care and Surgery" and a New Joint Master& Joint Professional Diploma in Nursing care of Patients. The New MSc & Professional Diploma Programs aims to: (i) provide multidisciplinary and professional training & Support students with technological, applicable and managerial competences in “Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Diseases & Liver Transplant”; (ii) ensure that the students have access to new professional, methodological and teaching approaches, international curriculum content and researches to increase their qualification in relevance to a complex and global world; (iii) promote the development of students’ skills at three different levels, namely, basic, specific and integrated/advanced through three academic semesters. The new curriculum tries to match the employment prospects with new health framework conditions in Ministry of Health & Private Hospitals. The learning programmes will be developed with the support of ICT tools (such as Video Conference system and Multimedia Publishing Labs) and multimedia learning objects (such as Computer-Based Modules & Digital Library, Live/ Recorded teaching materials).
DAMOC
DEVELOPMENT OF A HARMONIZED MODULAR CURRICULUM FOR THE SMART GRID
- Period: 2016 - 2021
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 882.397,00
The provision of area-wide and reliable electrical power supply is a key topic particularly in countries where the power supply often does not meet the demands. Smart Grids as future technology of the power grid will play an important role in the future stability of power supply and is in line with the UN Sustainable Development goal 7 of universal energy access to all through the provision of modern, reliable, affordable, and efficient energy services.
The project aims at fostering capacity building in the field of Smart Grids by the development of a harmonized, modular curriculum. Envisioned outcomes of this project are new, interdisciplinary master courses implemented at partner institutions in Africa, running laboratories, online courses, and an improved networking between the partners.
HY2GREEN
ENHANCING HYDROGEN NEW PROFILES FOR THE COMING EUROPEAN “GREEN” ENERGY MODELS
- Period: 2017 - 2020
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices – Strategic Partnership in the field of Higher Education Sector
- Budget: Euro € 206.651,00
Europe must be prepared for the necessary change in the energy sector planned for the coming years and for the key role that the use of renewable sources such as hydrogen plays in the energy sector. The fuel cell industry offers a growth potential of up to 500,000 direct jobs in 2020 within the EU. These workers will need to be specifically qualified for the development, implementation and diffusion of these technologies.
The Hy2Green project aims to: a) identify the market niches with the greatest potential for implementation and determine the most requested profiles; b) identify the technical knowledge and skills required for these profiles and the innovative training methodologies to be implemented in the programme; c) design an innovative training programme for these profiles, aimed at promoting employment, efficiency and accessibility.
eVET
ONLINE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PLATFORM
- Period: 2017 - 2019
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices – Strategic Partnership in the field of education, training and youth
- Budget: Euro € 195.176,00
The main objective of the eVET project is to create an online platform (based on eTwinning) to connect vocational schools with the world of work more quickly. This contact will in turn facilitate the mobility of vocational school students towards work environments suited to their needs, allowing the students themselves to have more specialized "practical" training. The eVET platform will exploit all the opportunities provided by Web 2.0 and will be available 7/24 by all interested people. To make the use of the platform safer and more efficient, it is planned to have users enter their PIC number. To access, users will have to enter their PIC which allows for faster identification of the reference reality. For these reasons, eVET has the potential to contribute to the development of school-work partnerships aimed at encouraging the work-based learning methodology.
DISCOVER
DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE SCIENCE OUTREACH FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TO ENCOURAGE STEM CAREERS AND EDUCATION
- Period: 2017 - 2019
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices – Strategic Partnership in the field of education, training and youth
- Budget: Euro € 213.705,00
The DISCOVER project aims to strengthen key competences in VET (upper secondary education), through the development of innovative methods and pedagogies with the effective use of new technologies as factors for improvement in VET and exploiting synergies with research. The project main results will consist of the development of curricula and training resources for non-formal education that have the potential to increase the key competences of students and teachers in VET in science, mathematics and programming, as well as the competences of teachers in providing science education.
Furthermore, the DISCOVER project aims to achieve the EU priorities in VET, promoting innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and the use of new technologies.
FINAC
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, ACCOUNTING AND CONTROLLING FOR CAPACITY BUILDING OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
- Period: 2016 - 2019
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 893.033,00
As it is defined by SIGMA (Support for Improvement in Governance and Management) principles, it is crucial to strengthen the foundations for improved public governance, and support socio-economic development through building the capacities of the public sector in order of joining the EU. Therefore, it is crucial to work on strengthening the public governance systems and public administration capacities. FINAC project aims to contribute to higher quality of budgeting, money management, finance management, accounting and controlling, in Albanian and Serbian public administration. This aim will be achieved through meeting specific objectives: developing three new master degree programmes in Serbia and two new master degree programmes in Albania in the field of financial management, accounting and controlling for capacity building of public administration in Albania and Serbia; provision of trainings at university centers/institutes for public administration employees in Serbia; modernization of one master degree programme in the field of public financial management in Serbia.
BEEHIVE
BUILDING ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS TO ENHANCE HIGHER EDUCATION VALUE-ADDED FOR BETTER GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY
- Period: 2016 - 2019
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 792.510,00
The project aims to build sustainable entrepreneurial academic ecosystems within the partner higher education institutions to enhance students' entrepreneurial and innovative skills and contribute to employment growth. The project seeks to support the transformation of universities into entrepreneurial academic hubs, contributing to the growth of the knowledge society and economy. During the research phase, the partner universities will assess the existence of entrepreneurial ecosystems, identifying strengths and weaknesses in their structures to raise awareness among students and the academic community about the importance of entrepreneurial elements and related skills. An accelerator for businesses will also be established, and continuous support will be provided to students and academic staff to maximize the impact of the initiative.
LMPT
PROFESSIONAL BACHELOR AND MASTER PROGRAMS FOR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ACTIVITIES
- Period: 2016 - 2019
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices - Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 999.500,00
The project aims to build sustainable academic entrepreneurial ecosystems within partner higher education institutions in order to enhance students' entrepreneurial and innovative skills and contribute to employment growth. The project seeks to support the transformation of universities into entrepreneurial academic hubs, contributing to the growth of the knowledge society and economy. During the research phase, partner universities will assess the existence of entrepreneurial ecosystems, identifying strengths and weaknesses within their structures to raise awareness among students and the academic world about the importance of entrepreneurship and related skills. Additionally, a business accelerator will be established, and continuous support will be provided to students and academic staff to maximize the impact of this tool.
BRIGHTS
BOOSTING GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION USING DIGITAL STORYTELLING
- Period: 2017 - 2018
- Programme: KA3 Support for Policy Reform “Social Inclusion through Education, Training and Youth”. Lot 1: Education and training. Strand 1: Transnational cooperation projects
- Budget: Euro € 549.883,00
The purpose of BRIGHTS project is to promote Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in formal and non-formal Educational contexts in Europe, with the help of digital storytelling (DS) techniques. The project will adapt, disseminate and upscale two existing best practices, which fall into the scope of the Paris Declaration: (a) the RIGHTS “Promoting Global Citizenship Education through Digital Storytelling” course and (b) the UNITE-IT “Uniting Europe through digital empowerment” online platform. BRIGHTS will be implemented in 4 EU Countries (Belgium, Croatia, Greece and Italy) by 7 project partners and will address secondary school teachers and trainers (e-facilitators, youth workers, cultural mediators etc.) working in formal and non-formal educational settings with young people.
ACADEMICA
ACCESSIBILITY AND HARMONIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN CENTRAL ASIA THROUGH CURRICULUM MODERNIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Period: 2015 - 2018
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices – Capacity Building in Higher Education
- Budget: Euro € 669.414,00
The main objective of the ACADEMICA project, coordinated by Burgas Free University, is to share the experience and innovative learning methods developed in Europe with some Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which need and require the renewal of the university curriculum and teaching methodologies in engineering sciences. The innovative character is highlighted by the introduction of a new methodology, essentially based on ICT, and by the development of a system of transnational cooperation between universities and business organizations, strengthening continuous innovation between research and business, between education and the labor market.
EMPLOY
DIGITAL SKILLS FOR EMPLOYABILITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
- Period: 2015 - 2017
- Programme: Erasmus + KA2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices – Strategic Partnerships for school education
- Budget: Euro € 257.767,00
According to recent studies, over 90% of jobs require digital skills, and around 900,000 professionals in Europe, including many young people, lack the necessary skills to work in the ICT sector, resulting in a risk of professional marginalization. In this context, the EMPLOY project, coordinated by the Istanbul Valiligi Government Organization, aims to improve the digital literacy of primary and lower secondary school students in line with labor market needs. The project places particular emphasis on young people at risk of social exclusion and school dropout, migrants, or individuals with socio-economic difficulties. EMPLOY develops an active learning system with the goal of building and enhancing the digital skills required in the ICT sector and related fields. The proposed methodology is validated through the creation of a serious game that aligns with school curricula and the professional requirements of the labor market.
EPBE
EUROPEAN PERSONAL BRANDING FOR EMPLOYMENT
- Period: 2015 - 2017
- Programme: Erasmus+, Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices, Strategic Partnerships
- Budget: Euro € 198.613,00
The EPBE project, coordinated by UDIMA – Universidad a Distancia de Madrid, aims to promote the development of an online personal brand and the use of Web 4.0 techniques for job searching. Personal branding refers to marketing strategies for promoting oneself in the job market. The use of personal branding is strengthened by the increasing use of social media and Web 4.0 (online websites and personal profiles on social media). Through the main outcomes of the project (guidelines for schools on Personal Branding and Job Hunting 4.0, the online course "Personal Branding," the online course "Job Hunting 4.0" (MOOC), the methodological manual on distance learning for Personal Branding and online Job Hunting), EPBE enhances the digital skills necessary to find employment that matches one’s qualifications, thereby facilitating access to the job market. Additionally, EPBE aims to improve access to learning through a pedagogical approach focused on Open Educational Resources (OER).
ISE
LARGE SCALE EXPERIMENTATION SCENARIOS TO MAINSTREAM ELEARNING IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
- Period: 2013 - 2016
- Programme: CIP – Competitive and Innovation Framework – ICT
- Budget: Euro € 10.433.660,00
ISE is a project involving 30 partners from 15 European countries, aimed at the large-scale adoption of eLearning tools and resources in science education. The project includes a pilot phase involving around 5,000 schools across Europe.
The project enables the application of the Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE) methodology in science teaching through the use of a range of technological tools and digital resources, which are gathered on an online platform. Through the platform, teachers can access interactive simulations, educational games, and utilize remote labs, integrating these tools into regular curricular activities. ISE also includes an evaluation system, based on the PISA 2020 framework, capable of assessing the outcomes of the learning process, students' problem-solving abilities, and the professional development of the participating teachers.
eQTel
ENHANCING QUALITY OF TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED LEARNING AT JORDANIAN UNIVERSITIES
- Period: 2013 - 2016
- Programme: TEMPUS IV – Structural Measures – Governance Reform
- Budget: Euro € 1.107.864,09
eQTel aims to improve the quality of Technology-enhanced Learning (TeL) systems in higher education institutions in Jordan, facilitating the country's inclusion in the European Higher Education Area. The project, coordinated by Princess Sumaya University in Jordan, involves the development of guidelines and procedures to ensure the quality of TeL courses at the national level, as well as specific accreditation standards. These new standards, based on academic courses offered in Jordan, are then incorporated into regulations and institutional documents. eQTel seeks to enhance the skills of teachers, trainers, and evaluators in defining quality standards for education, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Higher Education Accreditation Commission.
UNIFHY
UNIQUE GASIFIER FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
- Period: 2012 - 2016
- Programme: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative – Settimo Programma Quadro
- Budget: Euro € 3.438.061,36
The main objective of the UNIfHY project, coordinated by Guglielmo Marconi University since 2014, is to produce clean energy through a new industrial process that reduces the cost of hydrogen obtained from the gasification (a high-temperature chemical degradation process) of woody biomass. The initiative aims to develop continuous low-cost hydrogen production to be used as 'green fuel' to power fuel cell vehicles in the transportation sector. The core technology of the UNIfHY project is based on the concept of integrating three key stages of the process within the same gasification reactor: biomass gasification, purification of the produced gas from organic and inorganic contaminants, and filtration and reforming of light hydrocarbons.
UCCrowd
UNIVERSITIES-COMPANIES CROWDSOURCING
- Period: 2013 - 2015
- Programme: Lifelong Learning Programme – Erasmus Multilateral Project
- Budget: Euro € 532.328,00
UCCrowd, coordinated by ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, aims to strengthen the relationships between businesses and higher education institutions to create a synergy between the two entities. The project involves the development of an online platform where energy sector companies can present the challenges they face to university faculty and students from various European countries, thereby facilitating the identification of innovative solutions. These activities are aimed at transferring the crowdsourcing model to the academic environment, revising curricula based on the actual needs of businesses, enhancing communication and knowledge exchange between workers and teachers, and creating a network of companies and universities engaged in the energy sector in Europe.
TIES
TOWARDS AN INTERNATIONALISATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION NETWORK FOR THE MEDA REGION
- Period: 2010 - 2013
- Programme: TEMPUS – Joint Project – Governance Reform
- Budget: Euro € 857.437,00
The TIES project, coordinated by the University of Alicante, aims to enhance the culture of internationalization within universities in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern (MEDA) region. Through the creation of the TIES network, the project seeks to promote academic internationalization activities by exchanging knowledge and best practices related to the management of International Relations Offices. The partnership includes three European partners with experience in institutional internationalization and twelve partners from the MEDA region: Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Lebanon.
TripleE
FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR ‘TRIPLE E’ QUALIFICATIONS
- Period: 2013 - 2015
- Programme: Lifelong Learning Programme – Leonardo da Vinci Multilateral Project
- Budget: Euro € 495.794,00
Guglielmo Marconi University is participating as an associate partner in the Triple-E Project, coordinated by EBTN, the European Banking & Financial Services Training Association, an international non-profit organization in the banking and financial sector based in Brussels. Triple-E, which also includes ABI Formazione as a partner, aims to develop a qualification system in the Financial Services Sector (at both national and European levels) by integrating technical specifications according to the European Parliament's Recommendation on establishing a European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET). The project also seeks to improve the quality of training systems by defining European-level guidelines for professional qualifications, in terms of learning outcomes, with the allocation of ECVET points and the assignment of the corresponding EQF level.