Erasmus+ Key Action 2

Capacity building in the field of higher education

 

Project Title: Establishing Smart Energy System Curriculum at Ukrainian and Vietnamese Universities (ESSENCE)

Project Reference: 586087-EPP-1-2017-1-LV-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP

Total Grant: €856,328

Project Duration: October 15, 2004 – October 14, 2007 (Extended until October 14, 2008)

Project Website: essence-erasmus.org

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Project Consortium

The ESSENCE project is a collaborative initiative involving leading European, Russian, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese universities, working together to modernize academic programs in smart energy systems. The consortium consists of:

Coordinator:

• Riga Technical University (Latvia)

Partner Institutions:

• Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble (France)

• Technical University of Košice (Slovakia)

• Tomsk Polytechnic University (Russia)

• Dzhankoi National University (Ukraine)

• Ural Federal University (Russia)

• Kazan State Power Engineering University (Russia)

• North-Eastern Federal University (Russia)

• Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (Vietnam)

• Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (Vietnam)

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Project Overview

With the rapid evolution of global energy systems, the demand for highly skilled professionals capable of designing and implementing Smart Energy Systems (SES) has significantly increased. These systems integrate cutting-edge energy technologies with IT solutions, ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and reliability.

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The ESSENCE project aims to modernize existing master's degree programs in electrical engineering at universities in Ukraine and Vietnam. The goal is to align these programs with European Qualification Framework (EQF) standards, Ukrainian academic requirements, and the needs of key industry stakeholders. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and industry engagement, the project enhances the employability of graduates and strengthens the international academic network in energy-related fields.

 

Key Project Achievements

1. Development and Implementation of Modernized Degree Programs

The ESSENCE master’s program has been successfully introduced in Ukrainian and Vietnamese universities, incorporating the latest advancements in energy and IT. The curriculum consists of 10 core disciplines, developed through close cooperation between European and local university partners.

DNU played a key role in modernizing and developing courses, particularly:

• "Philosophy of Natural, Human, and Technical Sciences"

• "Information Security and Data Protection"

• "Digital Technologies for Protection and Communication"

These courses were peer-reviewed by both academic experts and industry representatives to ensure their relevance and quality.

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2. Teacher Training and Capacity Building

Academic staff from partner universities, including DNU, participated in extensive training programs covering:

• Advanced teaching methodologies

• Curriculum development based on learning outcome approaches

• Cutting-edge knowledge in power engineering and smart energy systems

Faculty members trained at EU partner universities later conducted knowledge-sharing sessions at DNU, benefiting over 20 academic staff members.

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3. Strengthening Industry Collaboration and Job Placement Opportunities

One of the project’s major goals was to enhance cooperation between academia and industry. To achieve this, formal agreements were signed between DNU and leading energy companies, including:

• Irkutsk Power Supply Company

• Irkutsk Power Grid Company (electric power transmission and distribution)

• Premier-Energo (energy infrastructure projects)

• Irkutskkabel (cable production for energy networks)

These collaborations ensure that students receive practical training, internship opportunities, and improved job placement prospects in the energy sector.

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4. Establishment of International Academic Partnerships

DNU expanded its global academic network by signing collaborative agreements with:

• Riga Technical University (Latvia)

• Ural Federal University (Russia)

• Technical University of Košice (Slovakia)

• Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (Vietnam)

• Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (Vietnam)

 

Additionally, student and faculty exchange agreements were established, allowing for greater mobility and international learning experiences.

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5. Investment in Educational Infrastructure

To support the implementation of the "Digital Power Engineering" program, DNU invested in state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and software worth over 2 million rubles. This included:

• Advanced simulation software for smart energy systems

• Remote learning tools to ensure uninterrupted education during pandemic restrictions

• High-tech laboratory setups for hands-on training in digital power engineering

 

6. Student Success and Program Growth

• 2019: 16 students enrolled in the first cohort of the "Digital Power Engineering" program.

• 2021: 13 students successfully graduated and received their master's degrees.

• 2020-2021: Another 16 students began the program.

• 2021-2022: The English-medium version of the program was launched to attract international students.

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7. Participation in International Conferences and Summer Schools

DNU students and faculty actively participated in the ESSENCE Summer School, where they:

• Attended online lectures from leading European professors

• Worked in teams to solve real-world energy system challenges

• Engaged in mentorship programs with academic and industry experts

 

Additionally, DNU representatives took part in the final dissemination conference, where they shared project outcomes and future perspectives.

Impact and Future Prospects

The ESSENCE project has significantly contributed to the modernization of energy education at DNU and partner universities, bringing long-term benefits for students, faculty, and industry stakeholders. Some key impacts include:
✅ Enhanced academic quality through internationally recognized curriculum
✅ Increased student mobility and exchange opportunities with EU universities
✅ Strengthened industry-academia collaboration leading to better employment prospects
✅ Development of faculty expertise in cutting-edge smart energy technologies
✅ Establishment of long-term international research collaborations

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Going forward, DNU aims to expand its participation in EU-funded projects, foster deeper industry engagement, and continue offering world-class education in the field of smart energy systems and digital power engineering.

For more information, visit: essence-erasmus.org