The most recent reference documents of the European Commission (published during 2012, all of them available at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/ict/) with respect to the field of Information and Communication Technologies point out the necessity that Europe should continue to invest in ICT related education and research.

The success of Europe 2020, the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade (http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm), the competitiveness and the innovation capability of European industry and social cohesion are dependent on the strategic and effective use of ICT and the knowledge, skills, competencies and inventiveness of the European workforce and citizens.

On the other side, Europe continues to under-invest in ICT related education and research. There is a need for the university education in Informatics to reconsider the curriculum and its pedagogy, to reflect the reality the students will face after graduation and foresee their challenges for several years ahead.

Within this framework, the project Bacău and Lugano – Teaching Informatics for a Sustainable Society” aims to promote the partnership between “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, Romania and Università della Svizzera italiana of Lugano, Switzerland, in order to strengthen the educational and research capacity of the Romanian partner in the field of Informatics. As a consequence of this achievement, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău will bring its contribution to addressing nowadays priorities of the society, through delivering very well trained specialists in Informatics and ICT solutions for the specific needs of Bacău County.

This goal of the project BLISS is in line with the objectives of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme and the Partnership Block Grant, as well as with the imperative goals of the European Commission for the modernization of the universities and the development of their international relations.

Different evaluations have pointed to the benefits and added value that partnership can bring in terms of skill development, accessing European funds, full commitment to  EU policies, increasing knowledge, skills, and available opinions to develop and implement strategies.Università della Svizzera italiana of Lugano, a distinctive Swiss university because of the originality of its degree curricula and its remarkable results in research, is in condition to advise the Romanian partner with respect to the targets it established.

The goal of BLISS

The aim of the project “Bacău and Lugano – Teaching Informatics for a Sustainable Society” is to promote the partnership between “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, Romania and Università della Svizzera italiana of Lugano, Switzerland, in order to strengthen the educational and research capacity of the Romanian partner in the field of Informatics. As a consequence, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău will bring its contribution in addressing nowadays priorities of the society, through delivering very well trained specialists in Informatics and ICT solutions for the specific needs of Bacău County.

General objective of the project

The project BLISS will improve the educational and the research processes at UVAB in the field of Informatics with the support of USI knowledge and expertise in this area. On long term, this collaboration will provide graduates with the skills required today on the labour market and will enhance the visibility of the Romanian researchers in the European research space. Moreover, the collaboration between the two universities will address issues related to sustainable development, gender equality, and social inclusion. 

Objectives of BLISS

O1.To improve the educational process in UVAB, leading to:

  • Innovative, interdisciplinary teaching approaches and project-based learning at UVAB.
  • Updated curriculum for the bachelor degree in Informatics at UVAB.
  • Introduction of a joint master programme (in English), in the field of Environmental Informatics.

O2. To improve the research process in UVAB, with the following results:

  • Development of joint research activities between USI and UVAB.
  • Introduction of some innovative, multidisciplinary research at UVAB.
  • Preparation of a joint complex, interdisciplinary research proposal and its submission, in an appropriate call.

O3.To lead to a better understanding of the cultures and economies of Switzerland and Romania and to support the sustainable development of the society through:

  • Awareness rising, for the students from USI and UVAB, on actual problems of the society and the necessity of sustainable approaches in development: economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
  • An increase in the social dimension, social responsibility of UVAB and its relationships with the local stakeholders.

Planned outputs for each objective

O1. To improve the educational process in UVAB

Educational capacities

Improved curriculum in Informatics at UVAB, bachelor degree

A new, joint programme in Informatics at UVAB, master degree, in English, coordinated by USI

Competencies

New professional competencies of the teaching staff at UVAB, regarding innovative, interdisciplinary, and project-based teaching approaches

New skills of the students regarding project-based learning, competencies regarding work in multicultural teams

Services

Student and staff exchanges between USI and UVAB

Educational facilities for disabled students

Products

A book on Innovative teaching approaches

A book on Informatics and its applications in the global economy

Two joint research papers published in high ranked scientific journals

O2. To improve the research process in UVAB

Competencies

Improved research competencies of the staff at UVAB

New skills of the master students in research

Services

Counselling on the research process for the staff at UVAB

Products

A brochure on research policies and grant proposal writing

A joint research proposal, launched in an appropriate call

Design and print of an UVAB research magazine/newsletter

Four joint research papers published in high ranked scientific journals

O3.To lead to a better understanding of the cultures and economies of Switzerland and Romania and to support the sustainable development of the society

Capacities

Improved capacities in knowledge transfer and innovation in society (academic staff and students)

Improved capacitiesof self-knowledge and self-presentation in an interview to obtain a job after graduation (students)

Competencies

Cognitive competencies of staff and students at UVAB and USI concerning the culture and economies (including labour market) of Switzerland and Romania

Collaboration competencies with local companies and stakeholders

Transversal competences of civic-social type: understanding the codes of manners specific to different environments (community and virtual), non-discrimination awareness, understanding of the multi-cultural dimensions of Europe, of the interaction between national and European identity, collaboration, communication, valuing of intercultural diversity

Services

Joint internship programme initiated, for master students, with the involvement of ICT companies in Lugano and Bacău

Improved professional counselling services

Job fair at UVAB

Products

A book on the use of ICT for sustainable development

A book on the use of ICT for social inclusion

A book concerning the place of Switzerland and Romania in Europe

A brochure onprofessional counselling services and employment opportunities in Informatics

Photo and digital art exhibition: “Nature, life and culture in Switzerland and Romania”

Four joint research papers published in high ranked scientific journals