Transcript Matteo Vittuari - Towards a Virtual University for the Adriatic

Towards a Virtual
University for the
Adriatic – Ionian
Basin
2° International Conference on Integrated Approaches Towards Sustainability
Jurmala, Latvia 11-14 May, 2005
Matteo Vittuari
UniAdrion – Virtual University of the Adriatic – Ionian Basin
University of Bologna – Faculty of Agriculture
UniAdrion
UniAdrion, The Virtual University of the Adriatic –
Ionian Basin, is a Network of Universities established
with the purpose to create a permanent connection
among Universities and Research Centres from the
Adriatic-Ionian region through the promotion of training
courses and research activities.
UniAdrion – THE BASIS
The University Network was launched within the framework
of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII).
The Adriatic Ionian Basin’s seven countries, namely Albania,
Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Serbia and
Montenegro, Slovenia, launched the Adriatic-Ionian
Initiative by signing the Ancona Declaration on the
occasion of the Ancona Conference focused on Development
and Security in the Adriatic and the Ionian, 20 May, 2000.
UniAdrion was established* by the Ravenna Declaration
during the International Conference “Culture as a Bridge –
The Interuniversity Cooperation in the AdriaticIonian Basin” (15th –16th December 2000, Ravenna).
*First courses dates September 2002.
UniAdrion -MEMBERS
29 Universities and
Research Centers of
the Adriatic-Ionian Basin
are Members or
Associate Members of
the UniAdrion Network:
• 24 Full Member
Universities
• 5 Associated
Members
(4 Research University
Centers and the
University of Skopje*)
The common working
language is English.
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FIELDS OF INTEREST
UniAdrion Programme has been implemented by the
creation of five Technical Working Groups (WGs):
WG1 Protection, Cataloguing and Promotion of Cultural Heritage
WG2 Environment and Sustainable Development
WG3 Cultural Tourism and Development
WG4 Economy, Communication, Ports and Economic Relations
WG5 Technical Aspects and Standards of the UniAdrion Network
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FOCAL POINTS
Focal Points are one of the most important resources for
the effectiveness of the Network. Also in consideration
of the different ICT services that characterize the
Member Countries.
Focal Points are operative technical “interactive”
centers that guarantee:
• The main link among Universities and Research
Centers.
• The
Operative
Technical
Structure
for
the
implementation
of
e-learning modules
(video
production, management of video-conferences).
• An access point for participants.
UniAdrion
FOCAL POINTS
There is are 7 Focal Points, one for each member
country, hosted by a local University:
1. University of Tirana for Albania
2. University of Sarajevo for Bosnia-Herzegovina
3. University of Rijeka for Croatia
4. University of Patras for Greece
5. University of Bologna for Italy
6. University of Belgrade for Serbia and Montenegro
7. University of Maribor for Slovenia
UniAdrion
THE ACTORS
More than 200 persons have been involved within
Eight Post-University Training Courses:
From the countries involved in the Network
139 professors/researchers/tutors
(About 50% of the
teaching staff belongs to Countries other than Italy.)
113 postgraduates students (80% from A+C+BH+SM)
(Some Specialization Courses were opened for professionals from
Ministries, Local Authorities and NGOs. Candidates from Ministries and
Local Authorities were numerous especially from Albania.)
UniAdrion
DIFFICULTIES
• Difficulties in the technical realization of the Focal
Points;
• Different realities among the countries involved in the
Project in the field of ICTs;
in promoting an effective “virtual
environment” enabling all the participants to have
access to this “virtual environment”.
• Difficulties
UniAdrion
OUTCAMES
• An important tool for the practical development of the
"distance-learning" approach on a multi-lateral basis;
• An environment for the creation of an inter-disciplinary
"International Teaching and Research Network" of the
Adriatic-Ionian region;
• The Network itself;
• 113 postgraduates students involved;
• 139 professors/researchers/tutors involved.
UniAdrion
Working Group 2
“Environment
and
Sustainable
Development”
UniAdrion
WG 2 - Rationale
The WG2 takes into consideration sustainable
development with an interdisciplinary approach but with
a strong orientation towards agriculture and rural
development. This is because of:
• The importance of agriculture and of the “rural areas” in the
Adriatic – Ionian Region;
• Sustainability in agricultural, rural and coastal areas has at
least four inter-related dimensions: ecological, social,
economical and institutional;
• The need to promote a “sustainable development” culture and
the role of Universities and Research Centers in promoting this
culture;
• The need to preserve the ecosystem and the cultural heritage
promoting agricultural development and providing new
opportunities for rural areas.
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WG 2 - Aims
• To offer a deep analysis of the theoretical, legal and
operational aspects related to planning and
management of agro-environmental systems.
• To provide participants with a specific set of
competence in managing and planning agricultural,
environmental and rural systems at various levels in
local, national, and international governmental, as well
as non-governmental, organizations.
• Establish an effective Network;
UniAdrion
WG 2 - Activities
• Course of Specialization International Cooperation and
Sustainable Development of Agricultural, Environmental
and Rural Systems of the Adriatic – Ionian Basin;
• Course of Specialisation Sustainability in the Rural
Areas of the Adriatic-Ionian Basin: Multi-Criteria
Analysis of Agricultural and Coastal Systems;
• Research Project Sustainability in the Rural Areas of
the Adriatic-Ionian Basin: Multi-Criteria Analysis of
Agricultural and Coastal Systems (on-going)
UniAdrion
WG 2 – Approach
A multidisciplinary approach is needed to take into
account the different interrelated dimensions of
sustainability in agriculture: the ecological, the social, the
economic and the institutional dimension:
• In WG2’s activities researchers and professors with different
backgrounds and from different disciplines were involved:
agricultural economists, agronomists, anthropologists,
ecologists, economists, environmental scientists, political
scientists, sociologists.
• Different learning tools were used:
– case studies (transboundary protected areas);
– different methodologies for different subject were presented
(agrarian systems analysis diagnosis; simulation model for agroecosystem analysis - CSS – Cropping System Simulator; EMAS –
Environmental Management Analysis System).
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WG 2 – Approach/Didactic Structure
A blended learning approach:
Face to Face Activities: Summer Schools, Internships,
Seminars and Workshops.
On-line Activities: ATutor*, Discussion Forum, Mailing
List, Chat, Video Lectures, Video Conferences (**), Video
Documents, e-documents, and other materials hosted on
the UniAdrion Webpage.
Since UniAdrion is a Virtual University the “on-line”
activities can be considered a core objective.
*ATutor is an Open Source Web-based Learning Content Management
System (LCMS)
(**) From 2005
UniAdrion
WG 2 – Course Structure
Course of Specialization in International Cooperation and Sustainable
Development of Agricultural, Environmental and Rural Systems
Course structure
Module 1, “Summer School”, Cervia (Italy)
Module 2, “Summer School”, Cervia (Italy)
Module 3 - 4, Distance Learning
Module 5, “Summer School”, Tirana (Albania)
Study areas:
1 Agriculture and International Relations
2 Tools for Sustainable Development
3 Sustainable Rural Development Approaches
4 Agrarian System Analyses Research Methods
• The First and the Second “Face to Face” modules have been developed
mainly by the University of Bologna in collaboration with the University of
Udine and several academics and researchers from Albania, Croatia and
Serbia and Montenegro, but without a real involvement of other
institutions.
• Focal Points have been activated at the beginning of 2004.
• The Third Face to Face module was developed in cooperation with the
Agricultural University of Tirana. Activities were organized involving also
Farmer Organizations (Divjaka); NGOs (Teuleda – Skodra); the Italian
Embassy in Tirana.
UniAdrion
WG 2 – Main results
• 2 Course of Specialization developed;
• 1 research project;
• 23 participants has finished the courses;
• 37 Professors / Researchers / Tutors involved;
• The Network
UniAdrion - WG 2
An evolving project
Interfaculty Master in Sustainable
Development of Agricultural and Rural Systems
• “MISS”
“International
Sustainable Development Policies”
Cooperation
and
“International
Sustainable Development Policies”
Cooperation
and
• PhD
Programme
• Summer
School
• Collaboration in several projects among participants /
researchers / tutors / professors previously involved in
WG2’s projects.
UniAdrion
www.uniadrion.net
Thank you for your attention !