EFEU - News

Discussions centred on crucial aspects of project management, including the Beneficiary Model, Project Tracker 2.0, Budget Management, Dissemination Activities, and Project Impact and Indicators.

The DHBW Team presented an overview of the findings from the EFEU Sustainability Awareness and Mobility Survey, which prompted discussions on the survey's objectives. These were outlined as providing support for sustainability efforts at each partner university and developing a collective sustainability awareness index. Subsequently, two working groups were formed to aid in the analysis of the survey results.

A revised version of the EFEU CFC Report will be presented at a later date. The targeted completion date is 31/03/2024, aligning with the intention to present the results at the UIIN conference.

The UPHF Team presented an updated iteration of the EFEU Curriculum Analysis Tool, with suggestions made by the other team members to optimise the format and outcomes.

The IPL Team presented the methodology and findings of their campus's curriculum analysis, offering insights gleaned from the exercise. Additionally, they proposed potential adjustments aimed at enhancing the results.

The UPHF Team introduced a revised version of the proposed BIP.  Recommendations were provided to enhance its implementation, including adopting a project-based methodology, modifying the time frame and establishing the number of allocated ECTS.

Yuqiang Gu from DHBW Stuttgart delivered an online presentation regarding the ongoing project “Databrix” (www.databrix.org). Databrix is a collaborative e-learning platform addressing data science and machine learning projects. The highlighted project involves visualising CO2 concentrations in the world's oceans and was proposed as a possible project that could be transferred to the project partners.

The IPL team outlined the initial steps for Work Package 4, which included preparing the mobility survey results and creating a web platform to showcase the carbon footprint of learning activities among partners.

Furthermore, team members highlighted the importance of leveraging results from Work Package 4 to transform the community's commuting behaviours. This includes developing a process, pilot program, or roadmap to decrease the carbon footprint of campuses, faculties, and the community. Moreover, workshops should be considered to expand sustainable mobility practices to other campuses.

• Ana Pires, a representative from CENTIMFE, presented on "Research & Technology Organisations (RTOs) as Catalysts for Carbon Neutrality and Social Responsibility.” The highlight of the presentation was the ensuing discussion, which addressed approaches to diagnosing educational needs, supporting digital transition, and developing and strengthening sustainability skills. Additionally, the company advertised a self-diagnostic tool that students of partner universities can use to assess their sustainability proficiency levels.
• Joana Frazão, the Human Resource Manager from Fravizel, delivered a presentation titled "Fravizel: Sustainability Proposal." During the presentation, the Fravizel representative delved into the essential skills anticipated by employees, the incorporation of serious games to bolster sustainable education, and the sustainable evolution of the quarry industry.
• Carlos Viegas, Leerdam Crisal Glass, presented the following: " Decarbonization of the Glass Industry: A challenge that cuts across different areas of Engineering.” The executive discussed the decarbonisation process within the glass industry, the relevance of critical partnerships in addressing complexities, and the significant competencies and attributes of engineers employed in the glass industry.
• Isabel Lança from Ordem dos Engenheiros presented the following topic: “Engineering and Sustainability.’’The environmental engineer laboured on the following theme: the critical role of engineering in sustainable development. She discussed the role of skills and partnerships in ensuring engineers are adapted to the goals and priorities set out by the SDGs and future employment demands.

Welcoming remarks were made by Isabelle Massa, director of the Institut Universitaire de Technologie - Valenciennes (IUT) and Klaus Homann (DHBW).

Presentations and discussions were held on the work plan, details and on-going activities of the five work packages forming part of the EFEU project.

Work package 1: Project Management
Matters related to communication management, project monitoring, and budget management were discussed and outstanding issues were documented.

Work package 2: State-of-the-Art Analysis: Universities on their way to emission neutrality
Discussions were centred on two activities: the development of the EFEU Carbon Footprint Calculator (CFC) and the Sustainability Awareness/Mobility Survey.

EFEU CFC:

• Mehran Attar (Metropolia) presented the latest version of the EFEU Carbon Footprint Calculator.
• The deadlines were finalised for submitting the preliminary and final reports.
• Each partner gave a summary of their first experiences with data collection.

Sustainability Awareness/Mobility Survey_

• Abeo Trotter (DHBW) presented the latest version of the survey. The survey was improved by addressing and amending the problematic questions.

Work package 3: Curriculum and Module Development: From Teaching and Learning to Emission Neutrality
There were several insightful and inspiring presentations, which are summarised below.

• Dominique Deneux (UPHF) touched on the topic: ‘Curriculum Analysis and Module Development’ by presenting options and resources to be considered for the EFEU Curriculum Analysis Tool and EFEU module.
• Guillaume Dumont (INSA HdF) gave a presentation on the topic: ‘Training an Engineer for the 21st century.’ He spoke on the  ClimatSup project. The project, through the involvement of INSA, is focused on the inclusion of climate and energy topics within engineering programs offered at UPHF.
• Hachimi Abba (UPHF-INSA HDF) presented on, ‘Strategy/policy for teaching and learning sustainability competencies for the period: 2022-2026 at the Unit for Sustainable Development & Social Responsibility, IUT-UPHF. ’ He discussed measures taken to raise the sustainability profile of UPHF such as the training of staff and students, raising staff awareness, organising collective actions and the implementation of specific strategies e.g. the Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility (SD&SR) Assessment, Community Vision 2030 and 2022-2026 Sustainable Development Plan.
• Olivier Senechal (INSA HdF) gave a presentation on the ‘Development of Sustainability Competencies in System Analysis, Maintenance, Dependability, Quality, Hygiene & Safety.’ He provided examples of learning activities, e.g. student projects, case studies, and courses, used to enlighten students on the topics of climate change and sustainable development.
• Loic Lezzani (IUT) presented on the following topic: ‘Environmental Design & Environmental Footprint dedicated to the Mechanical Engineering BSc. Program: Empowering Future Decision-Makers.’ He presented the actions taken to familiarise students with environmental challenges, sustainable product design, new standards, comprehensive eco-design approaches, and the use of eco-design management software.
• Jean-Luc Franquelin (Renault Group) addressed the issue of: ‘Industry Decarbonisation: Scope & Targets.’ He detailed the gains and challenges of the decarbonisation process within the automobile industry.
• Bertrand Brider (UPHF) introduced the serious game, My Earth in 180 minutes. The objective of the game is for participants to determine the type of actions necessary to reduce their carbon footprint.

On the second day, partners presented the results of the initial curriculum analysis of engineering programs being offered at their universities. The results confirmed significant variations in the offering of sustainability teachings. However, in the process of conducting these analyses, several best practices were identified such as the use of sustainability strategies, master plans, AI applications and the Open Badge Factory platform.

Work package 4
Rui Ruben (IPL) gave an outline of planned activities for Work package 4. The planned objectives are to further develop communities’ access to public transportation, increase commuting options for students, and evaluate the impact of online teaching on carbon dioxide emissions. The results generated from the EFEU survey and the EFEU CFC will be integral in meeting these objectives.

Work package 5
Klaus Homann (DHBW) discussed the staging of the EFEU Summer School and asked for ideas for the program, structure, and means of integrating partners.

The date of the upcoming project meeting was confirmed by the project partners.

Action items were outlined for project members to support the further execution of the project’s planned activities.

A special thanks to the UPHF team for doing an exceptional job at hosting the EFEU team and ensuring the second transnational project meeting was a success.

Welcome remarks were made by the project leader of the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Jorma Säteri, who also perused the planned agenda for the meeting. The discussions and presentations that ensued are documented below.

• Project Management
  The team was reminded of their responsibility in time-keeping and documentation management. Draft versions of the Project’s Presentation and LinkedIn Profile were presented, and partners were invited to provide feedback and implement changes as they see fit.
• Details of Work Packages 
  The work packages (WP) were reviewed by the project team. Amendments were suggested and made to the:
  • Time frame of project’s activities
  • Supplementary details for sections relating to the Carbon Footprint Calculator, Transforming Learning Activities, Creation of Modules/Teaching units, and Design of Digital teaching Units
• EFEU Carbon Footprint Calculator (CFC)
  • The results of the working groups, focused on the development of CFC for universities in the respective countries of each project partner were reported and documented.
  • Current Application of CFCs: A presentation was done by Paula Sajaniemi, a sustainability expert from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (MUAS), on the methodology used in the carbon footprint calculation for MUAS. Mehran Attar, a master’s student from MUAS, also gave a presentation. The focus of his presentation was the status of currently existing carbon footprint calculators.
• Determining a Common Tool to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Partner Universities. The following decisions were reached:
  • Commuting and procurement data would be included while values related to food and construction were to be excluded.
  • The inclusion of other input values would depend on availability. 
  • The emission coefficient is to be determined later, after the piloting phase.
  • The scope of the CFC is to be limited to the campus level and if possible, individual programs.
• Development of Sustainability Awareness Survey
  • It was agreed to integrate the sustainability awareness survey and planned mobility studies of project partners. 
  • Notable examples of sustainability awareness studies were presented. 
  • Partners were to determine the specific target groups, intended purpose, nature of questions, and type of platform in administering the survey.

One of the planned activities of Work Package 5 is developing the proof of concept for a serious game. The Climate Fresk game, a game that teaches the fundamentals of climate change and its impact, was introduced and explained to the team on-site.

Within the context of the project, participation in the game was very helpful as it provided the experience of administering a serious game, demonstrated its potential as a great teaching tool for partner universities, and proved to be a significant teambuilding exercise

Jorma Sateri provided the team with both a virtual and physical tour of the Metropolia Campus. The objective was to demonstrate the campus‘ efforts in incorporating the sustainable development goals (SDGs). It provided behind-the-scenes access and information on the intricacies of the latest technologies applied in facility management. An explanation was provided on how these technologies contribute to the building’s improved environmental performance and user experience.

The initial results of CFC are to be presented at the DHBW research day (July 2024).

Specific duties were assigned to project partners to support the timely and systematic implementation of activities forming part of Work Package 2.

The EFEU team was satisfied with the results achieved during the first TPM and looks forward to the next phases in the implementation of the project.

A special thanks to the Metropolia team for doing a great job at hosting the EFEU team and successfully organising the first transnational project meeting.