Periodic Reporting for period 1 - WATERLINE (TRANSFORMING ADVANCED WATER SKILLING THROUGH THE CREATION OF A NETWORK OF EXTENDED-REALITY WATER EMULATIVE CENTRES)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2023-12-31
WATERLINE aims to create a European Digital Water Higher Education Institution (HEI) Alliance, based on the quadruple helix model of innovation, leading to the development of the Alliance’s research, educational and entrepreneurship capacities. This shall leverage the individual, institutional and regional resources required for a transformative structural and sustainable learning and innovation environment. To achieve this, WATERLINE has five specific objectives: (1) support consolidation of the Alliance by co-creating a common governance framework, and a Research & Innovation (R&I) capacity building plan; (2) co-create a portfolio of water components for Master level (EQF Level 7) and transform emulative laboratories in partner Widening HEIs into assisted and virtual reality. These structural changes will lead to transformed and more competitive R&I HEIs; (3) strengthen WATERLINE researchers’ R&I capacity excellence by implementing activities, such as summer schools to enhance education and R&I skills, and proposal writing workshop; (4) build a European network of academics/researchers who, together with quadruple helix actors, will allow knowledge flow in water domains and extended reality technologies. This allows greater involvement of regional actors in the R&I process and enhances one of the major societal challenges: water-related education. Moreover, it will strengthen academic and business links through academia-to-business meetings and a hackathon to mainstream entrepreneurship mindsets. WATERLINE will, finally, (5) sustain the alliance by, (i) establishing ambassador networks, (ii) identifying the R&I funding landscape, thus increasing participation in HE and the mobilisation of resources in the water sphere, and (iii) creating synergies with EU initiatives, institutions, other projects and networks.
Below is an overview of the work performed and the primary achievements observed in this initial reporting phase:
- A Data Management plan (D1.1) and a Quality Assurance plan(D1.3) were submitted in M6 and M1 respecitively.
- As part of T2.1 an online survey, using Webropol, was conducted to determine the state-of-the-art concerning education, R&I, and current skills gap and skills mismatch on “Digital Water” from a multi-stakeholder perspective from all relevant sectors. The study reveals a notable disparity in the skills imparted by HEIs and those desired by various sectors. Skills such as creativity, innovation, and open-mindedness are highlighted as areas requiring more emphasis in the curriculum.
- Utilizing the quadruple helix approach desk research about local sectoral strategies and policies for delineating local strategies to foster innovations, business, and growth in the digital water sector for each one of the sites where WATERLINE is implemented with the support of all partners.
- One of the two community of practice workshops was held in partner HEIs to support in the development of a roadmap towards a shared common governance framework for the WATERLINE campus.
- A WATERLINE R&I capacity building plan (D2.4) was developed, to enhance their research and innovation (R&I) capabilities, particularly in the realm of water engineering education and training.
- A programme design for the Master of Science in Digital Water and Water Systems Management has been established.
- A two-day face-to-face training on ‘personal and professional development skills’ was held in person at UNEXE, UK (August 2023). This training was delivered by H20People.
- A 5-day summer school for academics/researchers from partner HEIs was organized in Exeter during which participants had the opportunity to enhance their innovation skills through a real ViLE walk-through at the VSimulators at UNEXE.
- MCAST, UNI, DEU-DESUM and MENDELU compiled a Game Design Document (GDD) template to serve a comprehensive blueprint and reference document for the development of each of the four ViLEs to be developed. Subsequently work on the development of the ViLEs started off during this reporting period.
- The deliverable D5.1 “R&I Funding Landscape: opportunities for WATERLINE” was submitted.
- An online Sandpit Workshop was held to brainstorm, analyze, and identify the funding landscape for the short term (1 year) within the consortium.
- A 3-day Seminar on R&I Proposal Writing was held online by NMBU for academics/researchers.
- A Data Management plan (D1.1) and a Quality Assurance plan(D1.3) were submitted in M6 and M1 respecitively.
- As part of T2.1 an online survey, using Webropol, was conducted to determine the state-of-the-art concerning education, R&I, and current skills gap and skills mismatch on “Digital Water” from a multi-stakeholder perspective from all relevant sectors. The study reveals a notable disparity in the skills imparted by HEIs and those desired by various sectors. Skills such as creativity, innovation, and open-mindedness are highlighted as areas requiring more emphasis in the curriculum.
- Utilizing the quadruple helix approach desk research about local sectoral strategies and policies for delineating local strategies to foster innovations, business, and growth in the digital water sector for each one of the sites where WATERLINE is implemented with the support of all partners.
- One of the two community of practice workshops was held in partner HEIs to support in the development of a roadmap towards a shared common governance framework for the WATERLINE campus.
- A WATERLINE R&I capacity building plan (D2.4) was developed, to enhance their research and innovation (R&I) capabilities, particularly in the realm of water engineering education and training.
- A programme design for the Master of Science in Digital Water and Water Systems Management has been established.
- A two-day face-to-face training on ‘personal and professional development skills’ was held in person at UNEXE, UK (August 2023). This training was delivered by H20People.
- A 5-day summer school for academics/researchers from partner HEIs was organized in Exeter during which participants had the opportunity to enhance their innovation skills through a real ViLE walk-through at the VSimulators at UNEXE.
- MCAST, UNI, DEU-DESUM and MENDELU compiled a Game Design Document (GDD) template to serve a comprehensive blueprint and reference document for the development of each of the four ViLEs to be developed. Subsequently work on the development of the ViLEs started off during this reporting period.
- The deliverable D5.1 “R&I Funding Landscape: opportunities for WATERLINE” was submitted.
- An online Sandpit Workshop was held to brainstorm, analyze, and identify the funding landscape for the short term (1 year) within the consortium.
- A 3-day Seminar on R&I Proposal Writing was held online by NMBU for academics/researchers.
WATERLINE's digital water HEI alliance goes beyond the current state of the art by fostering collaboration among academic, research, and water industry experts. This initiative aims to enhance competencies in research, innovation, education, and entrepreneurship, creating a dynamic environment for academic and research professionals. A key innovation is the transformation of emulated laboratories in Widening HEIs into assisted and virtual reality Learning Environments, coupled with a technology transfer framework. These advancements not only boost innovation but also facilitate knowledge and technology exchange among WATERLINE partners. The initiative strategically addresses Industry 4.0 demands by co-creating a Master program in Digital Water, incorporating distinct water themes, and leveraging virtual reality in participating Widening country HEIs. Overall, WATERLINE's approach promises a systemic impact on skills development, ensuring high-quality standards in water-related expertise and training.