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.
Project results
Topic Description: Focused on reducing emissions and promoting sustainability in vehicle aftersales, including repair, maintenance, and recycling.
Project Results:
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- Pre-assignment: Students researched the aftersales sector in their home countries, covering vehicle population structure, regulatory guidance, and energy distribution networks.
- Intensive Week: Hosted at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, students worked in international groups, conducted company visits, and created materials for an online course on sustainable aftersales practices.
- Post-assignment: Students evaluated medium-sized car service companies’ sustainability practices and refined collected materials to develop course modules.
- Final Outcome: A partially virtual course on sustainable aftersales practices was piloted, integrating student feedback and company insights.
Output:
Poster Automotive aftersales in Finland
Poster Automotive aftersales in Germany
Poster Automotive aftersales in Belgium
Poster Automotive aftersales in Czech Republic
Final report Automotive aftersales Czech Republic
Sustainable aftersales Germany
Sustainable aftersales Czech Republic
Topic Description: Addressed sustainability in vehicle design and supply chain management, emphasizing systems thinking, green logistics, and sustainable procurement.
Project Results:
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- Pre-assignment: International teams researched sustainable design, supply chains, and performance management, culminating in presentations and posters.
- Intensive Week: Conducted at Škoda Auto University, students engaged in lectures, company visits, and collaborative workshops to produce e-learning content.
- Post-assignment: Teams improved pre-assignment reports and created e-learning materials, including tests and quizzes.
- Final Outcome: A comprehensive online course was developed, blending theoretical and practical elements, and focusing on sustainability-driven innovations.
Output:
Sustainability performance management in automotive supply chains
Sustainable Procurement and Supplier Management
Technological and process innovation in sustainable automotive supply chain management
E-Learning course: Tasks for Steps of report preparation
Topic Description: Explored sustainable energy production and use, along with intelligent driving technologies for personal and commercial vehicles.
Project Results:
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- Pre-assignment: Students investigated the current state of energy sources and intelligent driving, creating posters to share findings.
- Intensive Week: Held at Thomas More University, students participated in lectures, labs, and company visits (e.g., Tesla, Colruyt Group). They developed virtual environments and instructional materials using tools like Thinglink and Prezi.
- Post-assignment: Groups refined IP week outputs and integrated them into the course structure, focusing on energy efficiency and future mobility solutions.
- Final Outcome: An online course covering sustainable energy and intelligent driving was created, featuring innovative learning tools and industry insights.
Output:
Sustainable energy use for transportation – Electricity
Sustainable energy use for transportation – Hydrogen
Poster: Sustainable energy use for transportation – Electricity
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