Sustainable Transportation – SusTra

Project information

• Project name: Sustainable transportation – SusTra
• Project organisation: SeAMK (coordinator), Skoda Auto Vysoka Skola (CZE), Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg (GER), Thomas More Mechelen-antwerp (BEL)
• Project funding: Erasmus+

Overview

The Sustainable Transportation (SusTra) project was an Erasmus+ initiative aimed at modernizing and internationalizing higher education in the automotive sector. Coordinated by Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK) with partners Škoda Auto University (Czech Republic), Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg (Germany), and Thomas More University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), the project focused on creating innovative educational materials and enhancing teaching methodologies to address the industry’s evolving needs for sustainability and CO2 reduction.

Objectives

• Develop bachelor-level training in sustainable transportation, integrating current industry needs for environmental and CO2 emission reductions.
• Implement a design science approach to create new curricula, course modules, and virtual learning environments.
• Enhance the skills of educators in automotive technology and modern teaching methods.
• Foster international collaboration between partner higher education institutions (HEIs) and industry stakeholders.
• Train 11 educators and 100 students through blended intensive programs (BIPs) and online courses.

Actions

• Curriculum Development:
  • Three course modules were designed, totaling 15 ECTS credits, covering sustainable aftersales, vehicle design, and intelligent driving systems.
  • A digital learning was supplemented using tools like Moodle and Thinglink for interactive, self-paced learning.
• Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs):
  • Organized three IP weeks in Finland, the Czech Republic, and Belgium, combining virtual and in-person activities.
  • Engaged students in pre-assignments, intensive week activities, and post-assignments to create course content collaboratively.
• Industry Collaboration:
  • Conducted company visits, interviews, and practical workshops to gather real-world insights.
  • Partnered with Škoda Auto, Ponsse and other leading companies to enhance course materials.
• Capacity Building:
  • Trained educators in new teaching technologies and methodologies.
  • Developed a comprehensive guidebook for sustainable transportation education, incorporating project learnings and best practices.

Results

• Educational Content:
  • Developed and delivered six online courses, offering innovative content in sustainable transportation.
  • Courses included modules on sustainable aftersales, vehicle design, energy sources, and intelligent driving, blending theoretical knowledge with practical applications.
• Student and Educator Impact:
  • over 200 students and 11 educators from four countries participated in the project or online courses created by the project.
  • Students gained international collaboration experience and practical skills in sustainability-focused automotive practices.
  • Educators improved their capabilities in curriculum design and e-learning technologies.
• Industry and Academic Collaboration:
  • Strengthened partnerships between universities and automotive companies, ensuring relevance and applicability of course content.
  • Facilitated ongoing exchanges of knowledge and expertise among partner HEIs.
• Sustainability Contributions:
  • Contributed to the automotive industry’s transition to sustainable practices by training future professionals with relevant skills and knowledge.
  • Supported the European Green Deal’s goals for reduced emissions and sustainable transportation systems.