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14 June 2010
Living Together in the Multi-cultural Society
THE HARMONISATION APPLIED TO EUROPEAN HIGHER
EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURAL / BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Antonio Comparetti, Pierluigi Febo Dipartimento
I.T.A.F., Università di Palermo, Italy
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The harmonisation of the European curricula in
Agricultural Engineering

• In 1989 the International Commission of
  Agricultural Engineering (CIGR), under the
  chairmanship of G. Pellizzi, with the cooperation
  of the Italian Association of Agricultural
  Engineering (AIGR, now AIIA) and Milan
  University, sponsored a project aimed at
  comparing University curricula in Agricultural
  Engineering in EC12, in order to promote the
  academic harmonisation and the mobility of
  University graduates in Agricultural Sciences and
  Agricultural Engineering in the EC.
• Several papers were presented at conferences or
  published in Italian or international journals,
  and 2 Working Groups were created WG1, within
  CIGR SIG 12 Education and Communication,
  within the European Association of Agricultural
  Engineers (EurAgEng).
• From 1990 to 1994 some surveys about the
  organisation of the University degree study
  programs in Agricultural Engineering were carried
  out in several Countries. From 1996 to 1999 these
  surveys were updated and extended to other
  Countries.
• In 2000 the results of the last world survey
  about the study programs in Agricultural
  Engineering were written by P. Febo and D.-W. Sun
  in the report The University Structure and
  Curricula on Agricultural Engineering. An
  overview of 36 Countries, issued by FAO and
  presented during a EurAgEng Conference - Warwick
  (UK).

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The European core curricula
In 2001 the Working Package 3 of AFANet (EU
Socrates Thematic Network for Agriculture,
Forestry, Aquaculture and the Environment) issued
the report Towards a European Standard for
Agricultural Engineering Curricula, which
outlines the basis for 4 European core curricula

1. a 5-year diploma degree, more scientifically
   oriented
2. a 3-year Bachelor degree, more application-oriente
   d
3. a Masters degree, corresponding to the 5-year
   diploma degree
4. a Masters degree, corresponding to the 3-year
   Bachelor degree.

In this report an accreditation system is also
proposed and the European University faculties
and departments offering diplomas in Agricultural
Engineering and Agricultural Sciences with
specialisations in Agricultural Engineering and
Engineering are listed.
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From Agricultural Engineering to Biosystems
Engineering
The beginning of the 3rd millennium brings a
crisis in Agricultural Engineering sector, so
that several institutes, departments and research
centres were closed or had their staff
significantly reduced. Meanwhile, with the
advent of new topics (e.g. Precision Agriculture,
Robotics, Information Systems for Agriculture),
in several Universities the Department of
Agricultural Engineering and the related study
programs changed their name, course contents and
research topics from Agricultural Engineering
to Bio-Engineering or Biosystems Engineering
and, as a consequence, in 2002 EurAgEng renamed
its official journal from Journal of
Agricultural Engineering Research into
Biosystems Engineering.
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University Studies of Agricultural Engineeringin
Europe - A Thematic Network USAEE-TN
In 1999 a new University structure (32) was
established by the Bologna Declaration, so that
several EU Countries updated their study
programs, in order to make them fitted to this
new structure. Therefore, the need of
establishing a European thematic network on
Agricultural Engineering was felt (report of
AFANet - Working Package 3) and the idea of
carrying out, at European level, a project aimed
at developing core curricula to be used as
benchmarks for the future study programs in
Agricultural Engineering, was born. Thus, in
2002 the thematic network USAEE (University
Studies of Agricultural Engineering in Europe),
constituted by 31 institutions of 27 European
Countries, was established with the above aim,
supported by EurAgEng through the SIG RD12 and
funded by Socrates-Erasmus EU programme
http//www.hostforce.co.uk/nondrup/usaee/usaee-t
n.htm The duration of USAEE-TN project was 4
years (01/10/2002-30/09/2006).
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The objectives of USAEE-TN project

• to develop core curricula, to be used as
  benchmarks for European study programs in
  Agricultural Engineering
• to determine a set of minimum criteria /
  requirements, against which any curriculum can be
  tested, in order to decide whether it can be
  recognised as a program in Agricultural
  Engineering
• to define common accreditation procedures, also
  in terms of ECTS (European Credit Transfer
  System) credits and establish the bodies /
  committees for carrying out these procedures.

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The criteria for the recognition of core curricula
In order to be recognised, a core curriculum must
meet the criteria of FEANI (European Federation
of the National Associations of Engineers) for
being an Engineering study program, concerning
with the Engineering course contents and ECTS,
and those of EurAgEng, concerning with the
Agricultural/Biological course contents and
ECTS. In 2005 USAEE-TN produced the report Core
Curricula of Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering
for the First Cycle Pivot Point Degrees of the
Integrated M.Sc. or Long Cycle Academic
Orientation Programs of Studies, where the
Engineering courses are recognised as the weak
part of the European study programs in
Agricultural Engineering. Therefore, the main
challenge is to increase the Engineering part and
reduce the Agricultural/Biological Sciences part
of the core curricula. In several European
Countries intermediate 3-year study programs,
called pivot point, were established, in order
to promote the student mobility among
Universities and Countries. The study programs
should be fitted to Bologna Declaration Scheme
and coexist with the new intermediate 3-year
pivot point ones (Bachelors Science).
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The first results of USAEE-TN the 1st cycle
schemes
The Thematic Network E4 (Enhancing Engineering
Education in Europe), run by Florence University
in cooperation with SEFI (European Society for
Engineering Education) and other organisations,
determined a set of minimum standards for core
curricula and described the competencies to be
used for professional and academic
applications. Therefore, USAEE-TN established
synergies with both E4-TN and SEFI towards the
above common objectives. The first results of
USAEE-TN were the 2 following 1st cycle
schemes. Scheme A, having academic orientation,
is distinguished in

• core curricula of integrated 5-year study
  programs (M.Sc.)
• core curricula of pivot-point 3-year study
  programs (B.Sc.).

Scheme B, having application-technological
orientation, is represented by the core curricula
of professional (mostly 3-year) study programs.
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USAEE-TN report Agricultural Engineering core
curricula of 1st cycle pivot point integrated
degree study programs (32) and 5-year ones with
academic orientation
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USAEE-TN report 7 modules or specialisationsin
Agricultural Engineering

1. Water Resources Engineering
2. Mechanical Systems and Mechanisms used in
   Agricultural and Bioprocess Engineering
3. Structural Systems and Materials in Agricultural
   and Bioprocess Engineering
4. Waste Management in Agricultural and Bioprocess
   Engineering
5. Bioprocessing
6. Energy Supply and Management in Agricultural and
   Bioprocess Engineering
7. Information Technology and Automation in
   Agricultural and Bioprocess Engineering.

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USAEE-TN report proposed module or
specialisation in Mechanical Systems and
Mechanisms used in Agricultural and Bioprocess
Engineering within the 1st cycle pivot point
degree study programs
ENGINEERING PART OF THE CORE CURRICULA OPTIONAL COURSES 24-30 ECTS CREDITS equal to 13-17 of total 180 ECTS CREDITS Learning outcomes and contents follow this table Assuming 6 course units with 4 or 5 ECTS credits per unit, respectively, or equivalent, the learning outcomes that follow may be delivered through the following structured coursework Kinematics of Mechanisms Power Generation Engines Mechatronics Soil Mechanics Electrotechnics Electronic Circuits Instrumentation and Measurements Engineering Surveying - GIS AGRICULTURAL / BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES PART OF THE CORE CURRICULA OPTIONAL COURSES (16-20 ECTS CREDITS equal to 9-11 of total 180 ECTS CREDITS Learning outcomes and contents follow this table Assuming 4 course units with 4 or 5 ECTS credits per unit, respectively, or equivalent, the learning outcomes that follow may be delivered through the following structured coursework Crop Science and Management Crop Protection Agro-chemicals Animal Science and Management Environmental Impact Assessment
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USAEE-TN report indicative list of Agricultural
Engineering courses included in the proposed
module or specialisation in Mechanical Systems
and Mechanisms used in Agricultural and
Bioprocess Engineering

1. Agricultural Machinery Design
2. Farm Power Units
3. Farmstead Equipment
4. Analysis and Design of Biomachinery
5. Techniques in Precision Agriculture
6. Automatic Controls
7. Computer Control of Machines and Processes
8. Ergonomics, Health and Safety
9. Design Methods for Machines for Biosystems
10. Remote Sensing
11. Soil Erosion
12. Landscape Planning
13. Free Technical or Agricultural / Biological
    Electives.

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The requirements of FEANIon Agricultural
Engineering core curricula
In 2004 the USAEE report was sent to the
Executive Committees of FEANI and EurAgEng for
evaluation, so that in 2005 the European
Monitoring Committee (EMC) of FEANI required the
following modifications

• to explain the contents of general within
  Basic Sciences
• to specify the number of ECTS of Mathematics
  (which must be at least 24)
• to specify the percentage of Engineering Basic
  Sciences (which must be at least 20 and 36 ECTS)
  of the study program
• to provide all the 7 specialisations with at
  least 60 of Engineering courses
• to specify the percentage of non-technical
  courses (which must be at least 10 of the study
  program).

EurAgEng agreed to undertake the recognition
process of the core curricula.
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The outputs achieved by USAEE-TN projectduring
the dissemination year

• to develop a web database of the European study
  programs in Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering,
  in order to facilitate their recognition and,
  therefore, promote the student mobility in the EU
  (http//sunfire.aua.gr8080/ects/Welcome.do)
• to enhance the USAEE web-site, by creating links
  with organisations, other related TNs and
  projects
• to disseminate the USAEE results to Higher
  Engineering Education Area in Europe, through
  synergies with TECHNO/ARCHIPELAGOS (about ECTS,
  quality assessment and employability), to the
  Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering community
  outside Europe, through the TUNING III web-site
  and synergies with TUNING III, and to Deans,
  Rectors, ERASMUS officials, policy makers and
  other academic bodies, representatives of
  enterprises and industries
• to cooperate with FEANI and, indirectly, with
  the major European professional stakeholders, for
  obtaining the approval of the core curricula
  developed, and with EUR-ACE (Accreditation of
  European Engineering Programmes and Graduates)
• to support the student mobility, through the
  participation of the International Association of
  Students in Agricultural and related sciences
  (IAAS) and the Board of European Students of
  Technology (BEST) to USAEE workshops.

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The harmonisation of the European curriculain
Biosystems Engineering by ERABEE-TN
In 2007, in order to develop the results achieved
by USAEE-TN, the same partners of this network
and others established a new Thematic Network
called ERABEE (Education and Research in
Biosystems Engineering in Europe). This thematic
network is constituted by 35 institutions of 27
Erasmus Countries, of which 33 Higher Education
Area institutions and 2 student associations, and
is co-funded by EU, under the umbrella of
Lifelong Learning Programme http//www.erabee.au
a.gr
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The objectives of ERABEE-TN project

• to promote the transition from Agricultural
  Engineering to Biosystems Engineering
• to establish the recognition procedures of the
  new European study programs in Biosystems
  Engineering, to be carried out by EurAgEng, and
  to organise case studies about the implementation
  of these programs, on the basis of the core
  curricula developed by USAEE-TN
• to enhance the compatibility among the new
  European study programs in Biosystems
  Engineering, in order to promote their
  recognition and accreditation, in synergy with
  EUR-ACE
• to promote the 3rd cycle University study
  programs and the European Doctorate in Biosystems
  Engineering
• to develop synergies for strengthening the
  linkage between research and education at all 3
  cycles of the University studies in Biosystems
  Engineering in Europe
• to promote the adoption of the European
  Standards on quality assessment and assurance of
  the European study programs in Biosystems
  Engineering, in agreement with the European
  Qualification Framework (EQF)
• to enhance the international attractiveness of
  the European study programs in Biosystems
  Engineering
• to promote the researcher and student mobility
• to implement the main lines of TUNING to
  Biosystems Engineering.

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The outputs achieved during ERABEE project
The main outputs achieved, in each partner
Country, are to

• define the emerging Biosystems Engineering
  discipline and to describe the related current
  situation
• describe the current situation and perspectives
  about the development of Biosystems Engineering
  study programs towards bio-fuels, bio-materials
  and quality of products
• describe the current schemes and the possible
  structured study programs of the 3rd cycle
  University studies in Agricultural/Biosystems
  Engineering
• describe the research activities in the first 2
  cycles of Biosystems Engineering University
  studies
• describe the quality assurance and assessment
  frameworks of Biosystems Engineering University
  studies.

The duration of ERABEE-TN project will be 3 years
(01/10/2007-30/09/2010).
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The EU-US cooperation in Biosystems Engineering
curricula POMSEBES
In 2006 12 Higher Education Area institutions, of
which 8 from EU and 4 from US, established the
Consortium POMSEBES (Policy Oriented Measures in
Support of the Evolving Biosystems Engineering
Studies in USA - EU), whose project was developed
during the duration of ERABEE-TN one, from
01/11/2006 to 31/10/2008 http//www.pomsebes.aua
.gr This consortium was funded by the European
Commission, jointly with the US Department of
Education, Fund for the Improvement of Post
Secondary Education (FIPSE), under the ATLANTIS
programme (Actions for Transatlantic Links and
Academic Networks for Training and Integrated
Studies), in the framework of the 2006-2013 EU-US
Agreement in higher education and vocational
training.
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The objectives achieved by POMSEBES project

• to provide a platform for a systematic exchange
  of experiences and ideas between US and EU, in
  order to contribute to enhance the quality and
  linkage between research and education, and also
  establish appropriate policy oriented measures
• to develop policy oriented measures as well as
  appropriate curricula in Biosystems Engineering
• to encourage the development of compatible
  degree study programs, both within EU and between
  EU and US.

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Expanding Biosystems Engineering Education
Researchin Europe to meet the Climatic Change
Challenges EBEEREC3
In 2010 some partners of ERABEE-TN submitted to
EU the proposal of establishing a new TN called
EBEEREC3, to be co-funded by Lifelong Learning
Programme. The project of this TN is aimed at
providing climate change problems with solutions,
by means of Biosystems Engineering innovations in
research and education. The project will have an
impact on

• the economy of Europe, as it will contribute to
  the territorial and environmental protection,
  restoration and enhancement in the conditions of
  climate change
• the teaching, learning and professional context,
  as it will facilitate student and staff mobility
  among EU Higher Education institutions.

The most significant outcome of USAEE-TN was the
development of a Core Curriculum for University
Agricultural Engineering Studies in Europe. An
output of USAEE and ERABEE TNs is the
identification of the expanding areas of
Biosystems Engineering, for which a coordinated
work is needed in Europe

• bio-based materials
• Renewable Energy
• Novel Engineering in the conditions of climate
  change.

The proposed TN is aimed at exploiting the above
outputs by means of

• enhancement of education (2nd 3rd cycle),
  through the development of modules, and
  reinforcement of research (3rd cycle post-doc)
  in the above areas, as related to the new CAP
  developments
• promotion of the linkage between Research and
  Education
• support of quality assessment and assurance
  schemes of European study programs in Biosystems
  Engineering.

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Thank you ! Grazie ! Gracias ! Merci ! Danke
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! Efrarixto ! Aciu ! Takk ! Dziekuje ! Obrigado
! Multumesc ! Dakujem ! Tack !