Academic Collaboration for (Building) Capacity in Environmental Studies (ACCES)

New challenges regarding recent climate changes and their tremendous impact on the environment, society and economy need new educational contents and strategies. The capacity building in environmental education is one of the most effective ways to deal with, since it strengthen the overall awareness and knowledge especially of the young generation about existing and upcoming ecological hazards and risks. With regard to, the Georgian Technical University (GTU) and the Institute of Hydraulics and Rural Water Management (IHLW) at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Vienna both aspire towards establishing an efficient partnership in research guided education networking, research and services in the field of the environmental engineering studies. The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the modernisation of the higher environmental education in Georgia in line with the environmental and labour market demands and European standards trough establishing a framework for developing innovative and competence-oriented educational programs of high-quality addressing key issues in environmental engineering. In particular, ACCES focuses on: • Strengthen the university and the faculty capacity in developing innovative environmental master curricula in GTU based on the latest teaching methods and tools for efficient transfer of knowledge and skills; • Strengthen the staff competences trough promoted excellence in innovative teaching, research and innovations; • Enhancing gender equality in higher education system through promoted diversity giving equal opportunities for professional qualifications and realization; • Establishing an efficient partnership in research guided higher education through dynamic framework, dynamic and open-minded dialogue and exchange of innovative ideas. The major results comprise development of a new master curriculum in environmental engineering and safety: updating of the master program in water engineering based on the latest research findings; introducing innovative teaching methods and tools; sharing knowledge and experience between GTU and BOKU to gain new views and perspectives, etc.