Open educational resources platform for Geomatics applications to social and environmental issues. Erasmus Project

Project Title

Open educational resources platform for Geomatics applications to social and environmental issues.

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 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Inclusion – equity; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

GEONATURA provided an eclectic and multidisciplinary formation by teaching & training activities on geograpic information systems (GIS) applied to social and environmental issues. Background of university partners was matched to benefit different audience levels considering the selected main themes: sustainable development and environment, smart cities, climate change, renewable energy sources, sustainable agriculture, farming and forestry, land administration and built environment. Associated partners with background on GIS were gathered on the initiative in the partner countries of partners (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal, University of Glasgow, UK- Scotland, TU Delft, Netherlands and University of Florence, Italy).

The objective was the development of a common innovative educational package by university staffs to HEI students and qualified users on GIS applications to subjects related to environmental and socioeconomic issues present on the natural and built environment. This involved technology & science tools, for engineering & management applications with the purpose of enlarging knowledge of young adults on these fields aiming to help them on achieving smart job opportunities while contributing to their awareness on these topics.

Certification of approved students was contemplated giving referral to these participants for job opportunities in market while motivating them for sustainable self-learning by several OER e-learning platform enlarging the net citizens community in Geomatics and related matters.

A total of 160 students were directly selected by partnered universities to attend a joint week-course delivered by professor of the involved HEIs in each of the 4 rounds held at each university (Spring and Autumn of 2018 and 2019). During these courses, the students were motivated for learning how to use GIS in the areas covered by Geonatura and to acquire specific professional expertise to access job opportunities in these topcis. Each round comprised sequential activities distributed on three stages
– stage 1) Introductory preparation on fundamentals of GIS, as well as its current applications and framework for beginners and selection of 10 best students to participate in BLM;
– stage 2) blended learning mobility connected to multiplier events which involved several companies and public organizations;
– stage 3) remote online intensive training through a MOOC for consolidation of apprenticeship followed by initial assistance to certificated participants after examination and approval.

This project is a reference to support for common initiatives in GIS community promoting EU initiatives for the establishment of thematic networks approaching academia to government and corporations.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 209348 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA & Country: PT

Project Partners

• UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
• TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE