JIM2L Development and Implementation of a MSc Double Degree Programme in Mechatronics for Egypt, Jordan and the European Union Rolf Biesenbach Hochschule Bochum Faculty of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Bochum, Germany rolf.biesenbach@hs-bochum.de Abstract In the last eight years a consortium of European and Middle East institutions executed two TEMPUS projects to establish mechatronics programs in Higher Education at Egyptian and Jordanian universities. More than 800 students have enrolled in a new BSc program, created by the TEMPUS project DIMPTOT (1, 2). A follow-up project, again funded by the European Commission EACEA within the TEMPUS IV program, with the name Development of a Joint International Master Degree and Lifelong Learning Framework in Mechatronics (JIM2L) was started in 2011 and successfully terminated in 2014. The goal of this project was the establishment of a MSc programme in mechatronics in combination with a lifelong learning strategy at five universities and institutes in Egypt and Jordan. This article describes the motivation, the goals, objectives, network partners and the final outcomes of the project. Keywords double degree master programme, mechatronics, life lifelong learning framework I. INTRODUCTION The main idea of the TEMPUS project JIM2L was to establish a joint international MSc program in mechatronics between universities of the Middle East region in Egypt (EG) and Jordan (JO) on one hand and Europe (EU) on the other in combination with a lifelong learning strategy in the region. See publication (3) for further details. Taking into account not only national but also regional priorities the well-established group within the project DIMPTOT was supplemented by two Jordanian universities and thus ten partners founded a team to deal with the challenging topics of project JIM2L. The scheduled time for the program November 2011 until November 2014 was already in the beginning regarded as tight, this especially since processes of accreditation and ministerial approval in the different countries would take its time. But due to the positive experience from the DIMPTOT project the JIM2L team was convinced that the designated issues of the project will be reached in this period. Hans Schillo Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mechatronik e.v. JIM2L project Bochum, Germany hans.schillo@arcor.de II. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the project JIM2L are described in detail in (3). Therefore only the headlines of the objectives are mentioned here for a better understanding. The aim of JIM2L was to participate in enhancing the regional higher education systems in the engineering sector in Egypt and Jordan. The specific objectives of the project were: 1. Based on the BSc curriculum for Mechatronics, which was developed in the former project DIMPTOT a curriculum for a double degree master program (MSc) in mechatronics in accordance with the Bologna Convention (3 cycle structure, ECTS, and degree recognition) and associated regulations was developed; 2. Definition of mechatronics training courses for engineers from the industry (mechatronics, electrical and mechanical); supporting lifelong learning; the curricula for these training courses are based on the developed MSc curriculum. 3. Description of the basic requirements for training centres at the universities for engineers from the industry in the field of mechatronics; these training centres will support lifelong learning and strengthen the links between the universities and the industry. 4. Well trained staff members at the participating universities in the beneficiary countries through training of the trainers; 5. The JIM2L project was designed to support advanced laboratories for mechatronics studies to be used by students and within the training centres; 6. Definition of the basis and rules for national associations or networks in the field of mechatronics; the members of the networks are universities, professors and engineers from the industry. This helps to enhance the knowledge transfer within the country and the region. The TEMPUS program among others addresses major regional priorities, which the project took into account.
In the JIM2L the following regional priorities were successfully taken into consideration: Modernization of curricula with 3 cycle structure, ECTS, and degree recognition (national priorities of Egypt and Jordan); Development of international relations; Development of joint or double degrees; Development of partnership with enterprises; Development of lifelong learning in society at large. III. PARTNERS Before the results of the JIM2L project are shown in detail, a short overview over the involved partners will be given. The positive experience in the DIMPTOT group results in the decision that this team developed the new project and applied for the JIM2L master program. Having already strong, well established links between Egypt and Jordan Universities [Higher Technological Institute (EG) and Philadelphia University (JO)] and European and Jordanian institutions [Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mechatronik (EU) and German Jordanian University (JO)] the project objectives were extended to regional issues and the two Jordanian Universities were asked to join the team. The working team within the JIM2L project represented ten partners: Hochschule Bochum, HBO, was coordinator and grant holder of the project. Bochum University of Applied Sciences is one of the pioneers of mechatronics in higher education and was the first university in Germany to establish a mechatronics study course with a separate degree in mechatronics (Dipl.-Ing.), in 1993. Since 2001, HBO offers Bachelors and Masters Degrees and a cooperative study system combining engineering studies with a simultaneous apprenticeship scheme (KIA) with around 45 industrial partners. An integral part of HBO is the specialization in the areas of academic methodology conception for engineers, the transfer of social and communicative, personal and methodological competencies as well as the assistance of entrepreneurial students to establish businesses and the training of academic staff. Zagazig University (ZU) is one of the largest universities in Egypt. It is situated in Zagazig City, the capital of Skarkeya Governorate, which is one of the largest Governorates in Egypt. ZU was founded in 1974 and has now over 107,000 undergraduate students and 7,070 post graduate students, and employs 4,370 faculty members, and 3,021 teaching assistants spread over 100 departments in 18 colleges. The Faculty of engineering is among the oldest ones in the university. It has 313 faculty members and over 10,000 students enrolled in 13 departments. ZU is a public university. The Higher Technological Institute (HTI) was established in 1988 as the first private university level institute for engineering education in Egypt. The institute grew quickly in quality and reputation. HTI contributes to the development of Egypt and the region by providing education of the highest quality and promoting basic and applied research of international standing. HTI currently offers 7 engineering programs with more than 6000 students and 300 staff members. In 1999 the institute developed a mechatronics undergraduate course and now offers a BSc in this specialization. Currently, this specialization has the largest intake of students of all departments of the institute (more than 800 undergraduate students). The curriculums of the department and its laboratories have been upgraded recently through the TEMPUS project DIMPTOT. Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development (HU) is a newly established university through the Presidential Decree No. 298 in 2009. HU is the first university in the Middle East that devotes all its faculties research and education activities for sustainable development. HU has been established by a consortium of private and civic entities that works only in areas related to sustainable development (renewable energy, organic agriculture, etc.). The focus lies on applied research, several of the projects are financed through EU-funds. The Heliopolis Academy, founded by the Sekem Development Foundation, already participated in the EU funded project DIMPTOT with the consortium members of this project. The German Jordanian University (GJU) was established in 2005 based on a memorandum of understanding between the Jordanian and German governments as a new university of applied sciences. GJU is modelled after the German universities of applied sciences with focus on putting knowledge into practice and on promoting academic exchange. May 2010 saw the graduation of the first GJU students with a BSc in mechatronics engineering (4). Philadelphia University (PU) was established in 1989 as a national higher educational institution. PU has eight faculties and a student body of more than six thousand students. Their academic staff consists of over 300 faculty members, who hold degrees from a wide range of distinguished universities. PU is committed to providing its students and faculty with a learning environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas, and the acquisition of high quality education informed by inquiry and research. PU in Jordan is one of the mechatronics engineering pioneers in the Middle East region. The mechatronics program was initiated in year 2000 and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education in Jordan by 2004. The PU faculty was, and still is heavily involved in workshops around the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt) that discuss, compare, and develop mechatronics systems curricula (5).
London South Bank University, LSBU, is among the foremost universities for engineering having many part time students who are working in industry, and the links with industry are strong. Three LSBU staff became founder members of the IMechE/IET Mechatronics Forum in 1993, and involved running a mechatronics degree course since 1998 and MSc mechatronics since 2002. Research Groups in mechatronic specialisms are well established. LSBU is the foremost university in SE England for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with many companies. The university has a large proportion of international students, and is well experienced in the academic methodology and practice to enable these students to progress well in studies through undergraduate, masters and PhD levels. The Silesian University of Technology (SUT) has a history of almost 70 years and is one of the biggest in Poland. It is located in Silesia, the most industrialized region in Poland what results in a close cooperation with the industry. Currently the Silesian University of Technology is educating over 30000 students on 12 faculties in 48 disciplines with mechatronics among them. The Mechatronics Chair of the SUT which was established in 1999, was the first mechatronics unit founded at an electrical engineering faculty in Poland. The SUT offers BSc, MSc and PhD courses in different fields of engineering (among them in mechatronics). Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mechatronik e.v. (DGM), introduced in 1998 as a German association of professors and universities on mechatronics in higher education, is a network acting as a mechatronics communication platform in Germany. The association s support of universities in the establishment of new bachelor and master courses is strongly related to quality insurance in mechatronics in higher education. In 2007 DGM founded the Fachbereichstag Mechatronik (council of deans of mechatronics faculties) which represents the interests of mechatronics in higher education at the federal education and research policy and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK). DGM has practical links and joint courses throughout Eastern Europe, Middle-East, and Asia. E.ON Ruhrgas, a subsidiary of E.ON, a leading power and gas provider based in Germany, was a leading gas company in Germany, whose principal business was the supply, transmission, storage and sale of natural gas. E.ON Ruhrgas as a powerful market-oriented industrial partner operated in Germany and seven other European countries and sold approximately 600 billion kwh of gas each year (50 billion cubic meters). In its operating units E.ON Ruhrgas employed a large number of engineers (mechanical, electroand IT-engineering) and was prepared to invest in innovation and R&D, and was interested in the application of integrated engineering skills e.g. mechatronics. IV. OUTCOMES DURING PROJECT DURATION The TEMPUS rules for application request a detailed work plan in which the whole work is divided into work packages (WP) with subtasks. According to the work plan ten major work packages were defined. WP01 WP02 WP03 WP04 WP05 WP06 WP07 WP08 WP09 WP10 Curriculum Development of a Mechatronics Master Degree MSc Curriculum Development of a Lifelong Learning Framework in Mechatronics Description of the Construction and Functioning of the Training Centres Establishment of Advanced Industry - linked Mechatronics Laboratories Establ. of National Industry-University Networks in EG + JO in Mechatronics Text-Book "Mechatronics Master Course", MMC - in the LLL Framework Dissemination Sustainability Quality Control and Monitoring Management of the Project Table 1: Work packages in the Project JIM2L In the following the outcomes of the project will be listed according to the work packages 1 to 6, which were the real working packages, whereas WP07 to WP09 supported the whole project and ensured the quality of the work. WP0 was the work package to manage the whole project (see also (3)). WP01: Curriculum Development of a Mechatronics Master Degree MSc The outcomes of the work package WP01 were published in detail in (3). Modern curricula for the MSc courses were developed. In Jordan, at PU, 17 students are actually studying in a MSc course based on the curriculum which was developed in this project. The curriculum was developed in accordance with the Bologna convention and associated regulations. This leads to the result that after accreditation in Jordan and Egypt the degrees of the five universities/institutes involved in this project will be recognized by European universities. WP02: Curriculum Development of a Lifelong Learning (LL) Framework in Mechatronics Since it was planned to establish training centres for engineers from the industry (see WP03) a curriculum had to be developed to support Lifelong Learning in the fields of Mechatronics. After a detailed analysis of available syllabi for the Mechatronics training courses a survey on industry interests in Egypt and Jordan was carried out. Additionally industry requirements were ascertained via questionnaires in both
countries. More than thirty short intensive courses, initially based on the curriculum developed for the MSc (see WP01) were developed and are now available for the training centres. Feedback from the industry indicated that the greatest need is for training in automation and PLCs. Together with WP01 the outline of the needed laboratories was described in detail. Thus specific laboratory equipment could be ordered (see WP04). The last subtask in this work package was the training of professors and assistant professors in the new laboratories together with WP01. 25 female and male employees of the five universities in Egypt and Jordan were trained in two courses in Gliwice, Poland and Bochum, Germany. WP03: Description of the Construction and Functioning of the Training Centres After the above mentioned survey on industry interests (together with WP02) Open Days at the universities/institutes in Egypt and Jordan were held. These Open Days gave chance to the industry to discuss the developed curricula (WP01 and WP02) with the universities and institutions. Additionally the open days supported the marketing for the training centres. After having carried out the former activities the needs of the industry are known in so far that a business plan could be developed for the training centers. Detailed estimations of the number of students, cost calculations for the operation of the training centers and other economic calculations were carried out. At the end of the project the obtained results showed that five training centers to start with are too much. Therefore the institutes in Jordan decided to start with a common training center at the German Jordanian University, Amman, whereas the Egyptian institutes started with a central training center at the Higher Technological Institute, 10 th of Ramadan City. WP04: Establishment of Advanced Industry - linked Mechatronics Laboratories Five laboratories for educational purposes for the universities in Egypt and Jordan were proposed and accepted by all the partners. All laboratories are directly related to the MSc curriculum and to the industrial training needs. The arrangement of the laboratories and the necessary equipment items were specified, taking into account the different requirements of the different universities and institutes in Egypt and Jordan. Due to the limited budget within the project only a specific selection of laboratory equipment could be purchased. The Egyptian and Jordanian institutions will have to add additional equipment items at their own expenses to complete the needed laboratories. The training of trainers for the five Middle East Universities for the new laboratories were held during training weeks at Silesian University of Technology in Poland and Bochum University of Applied Sciences in Germany. WP05: Establishment of National Industry-University Networks in Mechatronics in Egypt and Jordan According to the above-mentioned objectives of the project JIM2L the WP05 was created to support the establishment of national industry-university linked networks in Mechatronics in Egypt and Jordan. Networks or associations like the DGM in Germany help to enhance the knowledge transfer within the country, the region and worldwide. In a first step a questionnaire was sent out to identify associations in all partner countries. Secondly an analysis of the stakeholders (companies and institutions) dealing with mechatronics in Egypt and Jordan was carried out. Their special wishes and ideas of collaborations within networks were collected. In a third step a special session at REM 2012 (November 2012, Paris) on National Mechatronics Associations was organised to bring existing networks into contact with each other. During the open days with the industry in Egypt and Jordan the idea of national networks was intensely discussed with partners from the industry. At the end of the project JIM2L the founding process of Mechatronics associations in Egypt and Jordan was in progress. An on-line group Jordan Mechatronics Network Group on LinkedIn and the Egyptian Mechatronics Network on Facebook were created. They are the basis for future national networks. WP06: Text-Book "Mechatronics Master Course", MMC - in the LL Framework (9) Since the JIM2L project was designed to support advanced laboratories for Mechatronics studies to be used by students and within the training centres, a complete documentation about the used laboratories was regarded as essential. The Mechatronics Master Course book, which was finally published under the title Mechatronics Engineering Workshops, serves the requirements of those studying for masters courses (MSc) in mechatronics. It will also be used by engineering professionals in their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The text book focuses mainly on the new and core skills in modern mechatronics, especially the technical handling of modern instrumentation, controllers and software. In its 5 chapters it deals in details with controlling industrial mechatronics, advanced measurement systems and sensors, computer aided modelling and design with professional software, mobile robots and robot programming. The book includes guidelines for the use of the equipment taught in the laboratories. Expertise from the range of professors from all the universities was integrated as it applies to master level studies of relevance to the regions in which the beneficiary universities are placed. The book Mechatronics Engineering Workshops ISBN: 978-3-945728-00-0 is available since October 2014. WP07, WP08, WP09, WP10: Dissemination, Sustainability, Quality Control and Monitoring, Management of the Project The above mentioned four work packages can be regarded as supporting work packages since their outcomes supported the results of the aforementioned six WPs. Written materials, publications (e.g. REM2012, REM2014), flyers and posters for the open days in Egypt and Jordan, internet sites etc. informed the public about the project JIM2L and its objectives. Pages on Facebook and Twitter informed interested persons about the results of the project. ZU published a number of articles (more than 7 articles) at the national and private newspapers in
printed and electronic format. Also HTI published about 3 articles in the newspapers. Different TV meetings were held about the project with the ZU team (about 15 minutes in each time). Also HBO was invited to present the project at the International Tempus Conference 2012 by DAAD held at University of Bremen (6). Intended as a support to the projects goals, the REM 2014 was held in El Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt, between 9 th and 11 th September 2014. A very important goal of the project was the accreditation of the curricula by the national authorities in Higher Education in Egypt and Jordan. PU obtained the approval from the Ministry of Higher Education as the first University and started its double-degree MSc Mechatronics program in October 2013 (5). GJU will not offer a separate MSc program in mechatronics. GJU and PU are running the program together. A similar model is offered in Egypt. The Egyptian partners are cooperating in the double degree program and have applied for approval at the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities. The management of such an important and complex project is not an easy task. The overall amount of money of about 1.3 Mio Euro was not easy to handle. In the start-up meeting the partners decided that the steering committee should meet twice a year and discuss the achieved results and settle the work for the coming period. This line of action was very successful during the whole project period. Together with the Work Plan Table and the detailed description of the planned work in the TEMPUS Application Form the project manager was able to steer the working groups in a target-oriented manner. All the partners appreciated this way of management and worked together in a very effective way. V. ACIVITIES AFTER PROJECT DURATION The TEMPUS project JIM2L was finished in October 2014. Since the goal of the project was, - among others but the most important, - the implementation of the double degree master in mechatronics engineering, the activities based on the project outcomes are still going on and are developed further between the partners. At the time being in summer 2015 three MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) are signed. These have been done between Philadelphia University (JO) and Zagazig University (EG) and Bochum (EU) and Philadelphia University and Hochschule Merseburg (EU). In March 2015 the first exchange student came from Jordan to Germany. This first master student is doing research in Bochum and is working on his master thesis. In May 2015 PU and HBO initiated the faculty exchange. Lectures in control theory (state space control) from the PU JIM2L curriculum were integrated in the curriculum of HBO and were held in Bochum in the MSc programs of Electrical Engineering and Electrical Mobility Engineering. Based on the outcomes of the JIM2L project more activities are planned to further development this fruitful cooperation between the universities of the Middle East and Europe. ACKNOWLEDGMENT In the name of the whole consortium the authors would like to thank the European Commission and their EACEA for getting the chance to develop this international double degree master program with the link to the Lifelong Learning framework. The authors would also thank all project partners for their great engagement for that important project between Middle East and Europe. Especial the authors would like to thank personally for their outstanding engagement for the project: Prof. Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji (PU), Prof. Dr. Nathir A. Rawashdeh (GJU), Prof. Dr. Radwan Hassan (HU), Prof. Dr. Yehia H. Hossamel-din (HTI), Prof. Dr. Nabil H. Mostafa, (ZU), Prof. Dr. Martin Löffler-Mang (DGM), Prof. Dr. Manfred Lohöfener (DGM), Dipl.-Kff. Katrin Heymann, (HBO), Prof. Dr. Tariq Sattar, (LSBU), Dr. Damian Krawczyk (SUT) and Prof. Dr. Sc. Dr. h.c. Krzysztof Kluszczynski (SUT). The team takes the outcomes of the DIMPTOT and JIM2L projects as the base for the development of further cooperation between the Higher Education systems in the Middle East and Europe and a fruitful cooperation between their universities. DISCLAIMER The JIM2L project is funded with support from the European Commission EACEA and is implemented in the Framework of Tempus. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. References [1] Biesenbach, R., M. Löffler-Mang, K. Kluszczynski, K. Rotter, DIMPTOT: Development of an Industry linked Mechatronics Program with Training of Trainers, Outcomes and experiences, 11th International Workshop on Research and Education in Mechatronics, 2010, Ostrava, Czech Republic [2] Biesenbach, R., Rotter K., Mechatronics Introductory Course, Mechatronics Association Germany, Mechatronik e.v., ISBN 978-3- 9813468-0-0, Bochum, 2010 [3] Biesenbach, R., H. Schillo: JIM2L An International Network on Development and Implementation of a MSc Program in Mechatronics for Egypt and Jordan, 13th International Workshop on Research and Education in Mechatronics, 2012, Paris, France [4] Jecht, D., 10 Years GJU: The German Dimension, German Jordanian University Puplications, ISBN 978-9957-8712-0-8, Amman, 2015 [5] A Joint International Master Degree in Mechatronics, Philadelphia University, Amman, Jordan, http://www.philadelphia.edu.jo/tempus/ 2015 [6] Biesenbach, R., Development of a Joint International Master Degree and Lifelong Learning Framework in Mechatronics - JIM2L -, International Tempus Conference 2012, DAAD, University of Bremen, 2012 [7] Final Report on Implementation of the Project (FR); Summary Report for Publication and Financial Statement, TEMPUS IV Project No. 2011-2774/001-001, EACEA 2014 Brussels [8] Development of a Joint International Master Degree and Lifelong Learning Framework in Mechatronics, Official Project Homepage, http://www.jim2l.zu.edu.eg, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt, 2014 [9] Biesenbach, R., K. Kluszcyynki, T. P. Sattar, Mechatronics Engineering Workshops, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mechatronik e.v., ISBN 978-3- 945728-00-0