Innovative Education towards Sustainable Food Systems Erasmus Project

Project Title

Innovative Education towards Sustainable Food Systems

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education

Project Summary

Context/background of the project

We are facing nowadays a global population growth causing increasing natural resources limitations and environmental problems. Loss of biodiversity and pollution of the environment are provoking drastic changes in the ecosystems and human health. The only way is to introduce sustainable development on the Earth – reasonable usage of the natural resources and less invasive farming systems. We need to develop sustainable models of the future farming, husbandry and food production systems.
We observe that sustainable food systems are not enough covered by the study programs in the European Universities. Without well educated alumni we are not able to provide leaders for the sustainable development. Therefore we need new teaching programs and innovative teaching / learning methods in order to achieve all necessary goals.

Objectives

The aim of the project is to support cooperation between eight European Universities to develop and implement innovative educational materials and methods in the subject of sustainable food systems. The goal is to provide students with necessary knowledge, competencies and skills and to support sustainable food sector and increase students’ employability.

Number and profile of participating organisations

1. Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW) – a leader of the consortium – is the oldest and the biggest agricultural university in Poland.
2. University of Copenhagen is one of the largest institutions of research and education in the Nordic countries.
3. Estonian University of Life Sciences is the only university in Estonia with the sustainable development of natural resources as the priority.
4. University of Kassel is the newest university in the state of Hessen. Interdisciplinary research is a priority for the University of Kassel.
5. University of Applied Sciences (MUAS) is a valued, innovative partner on a regional, national and international level. It is one of the largest applied science universities in Germany.
6. ISARA – Lyon is a French Higher Education Institution. One of the specialities is agroecology and sustainbble development.
7. University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy is a private non-profit institution, active in the area of sustainable food systems and innovative education.
8. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid is the oldest and largest technical university in Spain. It is the main Spanish University that deals with agricultural issues.

Description of undertaken main activities

I. SUSPLUS survey
Task: In-depth analysis of students’ understanding of the sustainable food system concept and their expectations towards education within this subject area. The survey has been conducted with ca. 100 respondents in every University.

II. Development of innovative teaching tools & contents
Tasks: development of tools and contents (for e-learning, Intensive Study Programme, Small Research Projects, lectures in schools).

III. Testing materials & methods:
A. E-learning module ‘Sustainable Food Systems & Diets’. Virtual e-learning platform with on-line video lectures, group works, on-line quizes. Participants: 32 students (4 from each country) from BSc and MSc studies

B. Intensive Study Programme ‘Sustainable Food Systems & Diets’
Time: 23 rd July – 4 th August 2017. Place: Kiry (Tatra Mountains) & Warsaw. Participants: 32 students (4 from each country) from BSc and MSc studies.
Lecturers: 10 lecturers (3 from coordinating university and 1 from each other university).

C. Small Research Projects
Description: Students will cooperate with stakeholders active in the area of sustainable food systems, to find, analyse and describe best practise examples within the food chain.
Participants: 4 students from each partner university (2 teams x 2 students, supervised by University lecturers).

D. Lectures in schools
Description: Lectures about sustainable food systems were given by the students in schools (secondary schools) under supervision of the university lecturers.
Participants: 4 students from each partner university (2 teams x 2 students).

Results and impact attained
• Reports, programmes and syllabuses of the mentioned educational activities are produced and disseminated within the Partnership and beyond, to be implemented into existing teaching programmes.
• In addition, a guide/booklet on the sustainable food system concept is jointly elaborated by the project consortium and disseminated to all interested stakeholders.
• Dissemination: a) Building a network in the topic of sustainable food systems
b) 1st SUSPLUS international conference ‘Sustainable Food Systems – Outcomes of the SUSPLUS project’ (Nuremberg, 14 II 2018) c) 2nd SUSPLUS conference ‘Sustainable Food Systems – Outcomes of the SUSPLUS project’ (National – in each country, V – IX 2018)
d) SUSPLUS conference ‘Sustainable Food Systems – results of the SUSPLUS project’ – International, Terra Madre, Torino, 22 IX 2018

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 254331 Eur

Project Coordinator

SZKOLA GLOWNA GOSPODARSTWA WIEJSKIEGO & Country: PL

Project Partners

• INSTITUT SUPERIEUR D’AGRICULTURE RHONE ALPES I.S.A.R.A
• FACHHOCHSCHULE MUNSTER
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI SCIENZE GASTRONOMICHE
• UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID
• EESTI MAAULIKOOL
• KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
• UNIVERSITAET KASSEL