China … And what thoughts do you have when you hear this word? Associations are different. Someone are associated with greatness, and some vice versa – with poor quality or fake. However, I assure you, in fact, everything is not so there, but on the contrary, the present, open, sincere. And now I invite you to read about the amazing journey that happened this summer as part of the Water Harmony ERASMUS + project (http://waterh.eu) with postgraduate student of the TNR E department Makarova Anna and 5-TNR-12 student of the Mahina Anastasia.

The first inconvenience that has befallen us is the road. A flight on a 12-hour plane is still a test, but even it was imperceptible amid the emotions that we experienced on our way to China. By the way, this was our first flight experience on an airbus, a huge plane that impresses with its appearance.

Arriving at the destination, we were very hospitably met by students of Qingdao University of Technology. And, on the way we managed to get acquainted with the project participants from other cities of Ukraine. Ukrainian students were very lucky, because we arrived a day earlier than participants from other countries, and therefore had a little more time to explore the city. Knowing that the city of Qingdao is washed by the Yellow Sea, we decided going to the beach. The view of the city that opens from the shore is incredible. The next day, we began very interesting lectures. And also the class schedule was successfully chosen. At lunchtime, we were given more time to process the material that was listened to in the morning or just to sleep.

Every day after the end of the lecture, we went to explore the city, find various interesting places and just enjoy the views.

On our first weekend, the project organizers planned a trip to another city it was the Jinan. And the Chinese girls decided to make us a very rich program for a good time. On the first day – it was a trip to the mountain. Climbing to the top, we just froze on the beauty of the landscapes that we saw. It was something incredible. And the next day we went on a tour of the lake and the night market.

Returning to Qingdao, we were awaited by a course of interesting laboratory work that lasted a week. We saw and learned to work with some new devices for us.

The week passed very quickly and we were looking forward to the weekend. The organizers of the first weekend prepared for us a bus trip of the most beautiful places. We went to the island, from which Qingdao is clearly visible. Saw local hotels and a large number of seascapes. And in the afternoon we were brought to the Chinese villa, where there were so many different games and other interesting things. Probably you all know that the Ukrainians are irresistible. Leaving for this city we looked at the list of its most interesting places. And one of the most beautiful was the mountain complex Lao Shan 1200 meters high. Having learned how to get there, we without a doubt immediately went there. Of course, it is very difficult to climb mountains, but the views that we saw there were worth it. Incredible atmosphere, amazing mountains, waterfalls and streams – all this can be seen only in China.

The next week was very dynamic, because every day we visited the wastewater treatment plants and learned how to use this knowledge in practice.

The last day we remember a very pleasant dinner and chat with all participants in the project. Both students and teachers sat at the same table and we did not feel any discomfort at all.

We also want to say a few words about culture and people. The Chinese are really very interesting and sincere people. They are open and accommodating. Their culture is as multifaceted as ours. It is interesting to talk with them. However, most of them do not know English and the only means of communication on the streets for us was speech gestures. At first, we felt strangely trying to explain what we wanted in the store, but quickly got used to it.

Food. This is just a separate topic in China. Especially for European people who are not used to this at all. Everything is very spicy, fried and in strange sauces and from amazing foods. At first, it was interesting for us to try everything that was possible, but later we wanted the usual food. And in the past few days it has turned into a real test. But we coped with this.

It is impossible to convey in words the emotions that we felt there. They will remain in our memory forever. This is an invaluable experience, new knowledge, new acquaintances. Therefore, we sincerely want to thank the project Water Harmony ERASMUS +, teachers and students of Qingdao University of Technology, teachers of the Inorganic Chemistry and Ecology departments – project participants – Smotraev Roman Vasilyevich and Sorochkina Ekaterina Alexandrovna and all the organizers who made this trip possible. And all students want to wish only one thing – do not lose a single opportunity in your life.

Students-participants of the mobility from
Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology (Dnipro, Ukraine)

All the Norwegians arrived early in China, to settle in and acclimatize before the Water Harmony Erasmus+ summer school starting on August 26. The flight times to China were around 14-16 hours. Luckily, there was ample of entertainment and food on board.

Upon our arrival in Qingdao polite Chinese students greeted and took us to the Xueyuan hotel, located extremely close to the Qingdao University of Technology campus. At the hotel, we received a welcome package and was offered a guided tour of the May 4^th Square from some of the local Chinese students also participating in the summer school. Much to our surprise, they used umbrellas in the sun.

For every early morning at the summer course, we had a magnificent welcome by the Chinese students who were especially patient about our delays. The summer school student group always had to wait for that one group member (could be a different person every time) who always showed up at least a minute later than the planned time. We truly admire the patience the Chinese students had for us. Staying up with us until 12 in the night, running errands and still managing to wake up early in the morning to keep the classrooms ready for lectures by 8:30. It gave us every motivation to stay focused during the summer school.

The lectures started off with a broad overview of the water cycle, highlighting the many issues the water sector is facing today and the problems that need solutions. Then we moved on to the general workings of wastewater treatment plant technologies. One interesting tool used to encourage student participation during these lectures was Mentimeter. This tool allowed students to ask anonymous questions and give feedback resulting in interactive and nice-looking graphs. We then delved deeper into the different technologies used to solve wastewater related issues and the considerations you must take when evaluating the best solutions. These lectures were insightful and also gave us the tools necessary to solve the mandatory assignment we were given.

As a side-note: One technological issue we faced was that Google, Facebook and many other communication and social media services we are accustomed to in our homeland did not work in China. These problems were solved by using a VPN or communicating with other group members through WeChat, a Chinese chat application. As some of us discovered, you must install the VPN application before you enter China as the play store is blocked as well. Some of the Chinese students assisted those of us that had not done so with getting this to work.

At the end of the course, the greatest lesson learned was beyond the highly useful know-how about water treatment plant design and operation; we learned the value of communicating ideas across borders, and creating lasting international networks with symbiotic relationships that we hope will be rewarding for all of us in our future careers. We also learned from the culture we were so privileged to visit, live in and learn from over 3 weeks; stay focused, stay dedicated and always have your goal in mind and never go around looking for excuses. This was something we noticed among the students and the people in general in China. In a city with few English speakers, the support, hospitality and the warm nature of the Chinese did help us students have a smooth sail throughout our days in China. We will definitely miss the spicy cafeteria food/beverages, cheap public transportation, warm weather and the curious stares and attention we got while walking on the streets. We were just as curious, and will remember our stay in Qingdao forever.

Participants of the summer school from Norwegian University of Life Sciences

The Summer Course In Qingdao

Lectures from professors and doctors of sciences from the best European universities, exchange of best practices in the field of higher education, discussion of future cooperation – this and many other became possible for Cherkasy State Technological University thanks to the project “Harmonizing of teaching and pedagogical approaches in water related graduate education” (Water Harmony) of the European program Erasmus +.

From  3rd till 8th of July, the Department of Chemical Technologies and Water Treatment of CSTU hosted the mobility of teachers from the Norwegian University of Life Science, the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) and the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (Germany).

Dr. Zakhar Maletskyi (NMBU) delivered lectures on “Membrane processes for wastewater treatment” and “Circularity in the water sector “, and doctors from Poland Andrzej Zolnowski and Michal Smoczynski presented lectures on topics “Agricultural sources of water pollution” and “Characteristics of the food industry in terms of water management”. Professor Martin Oldenburg from the German University delivered lectures on topics “Anaerobic wastewater treatment” and “Micropollutants”. The head of the laboratory for water treatment at the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University, Claudia Steinert, spoke about the laboratory work carried out by German students, told about the intricacies of laboratory analysis and scientific research of the department.

In addition to lectures and daily meetings of discussing the state of the department, participants in mobility had the opportunity to visit enterprises that are the bases of practices for the students and potential employment opportunities for graduates. In particular, the largest in Ukraine enterprise for the  infusion solutions manufacturing, LLC “Yuria-Farm”, for which the issues of water quality and its purity is the key to business success, and where already 49 graduates of the department received their work, kindly accepted the guests. Guests was also impressed by the Institute of Plant Health of the “Ukravit” corporation, which was equipped with the latest technology and recently started its work. The main issue discussed with representatives of enterprises was how the university should train specialists in order to best meet the needs of industry.

In July last year the university hosted a project meeting. Participants in the current mobility had the opportunity to compare the state of the department “before and after” and note the enormous progress.

“Repair in laboratories and classrooms, new equipment and reagents were purchased. In combination with new studding and laboratory courses that will be developed till the end of the project, the quality of education will increase significantly” – notes the participant of mobility from NMBU and the project secretary Zakhar Maletsky.

SMS To CSTU (3-8.7.18)

For Europeans February is associated with strong frosts and a large amount of snow. In a country like Sri Lanka, the view of this month is slightly different. At the height of the Sri Lankan “summer”, from February 23 to 26, Anuradhapura hosted a working meeting of the participants of the project “Water Harmony” of the European program ERASMUS +. Representatives of 10 universities from 6 countries of the world traditionally took part in the meeting: Norwegian University of Life Sciences (As, Norway), Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology (Dnipro, Ukraine), NTUU “I. Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”(Kyiv, Ukraine), Cherkasy State Technological University (Cherkasy,Ukraine), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Olsztyn, Poland), University of Applied Sciences (Höxter, Germany), University of Jaffna (Jaffna, Sri Lanka), University of Peradeniya (Peradeniya, Sri Lanka), Shandong Jianzhu University (Jinan, China), Technological University of Qingdao (Qingdao, China).

Participants of the meeting were greeted by vice-president of the University of Jaffna prof. R.Vigneswaran, dean of the Faculty of Engineering University of Jaffna prof. A.Atputharajah and project coordinator from the University Dr. V. Ketheesan. Also with welcoming words and presentations on the role of the project for the universities of Sri Lanka and all participants of the project gave a speech prof. S. B. Weerakoon (University of Peradeniya) and the rector of Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, prof. A. Pivovarov.

The main issues discussed at the meeting:

• reports of  the project results: the state of procurement and use of laboratory equipment for educational purposes;
• mobility of students and teachers: results and plans;
• filling in of 6 studding courses with presentations and manuals for laboratory work and their placement on e-learning resources;
• joint research, collaborative work and publications;
• conclusion of agreements on cooperation in the field of science and education between universities and private companies in water industry.

In addition to the above, long-term plans for the development of the project “Water Harmony” ERASMUS + and the receipt of a new grant were presented.

Participants summed up on the mobility of students and teachers, discussed the results of the recently conducted mobility of teachers from Ukraine to the University of Applied Sciences  (Höxter, Germany), the dates of students’ mobility to the Qingdao Technological University (China) – August 26 to September 15, 2018  and an educational seminar at the Cherkasy State Technological University (Ukraine). Also the results of the first semester of Ukrainian  students annual mobility to Poland and Germany were announced.

The question of passing the scientific internship of students from Norway and Germany in Ukrainian universities remains unresolved. Representatives of German and Norwegian universities stated that finding students who want to go to semiannual training in Ukraine is not easy, so it was decided that these students can come for a period from 2 to 6 months.

Polish colleagues (Dr. S.Kalinovsky) provided information of possible joint applications  for Polish grants for research.

Also, colleagues from the University of Jaffna organized a meeting with representatives of industrial enterprises, where were discussed issues of improving the training of specialists and modern requirements for the knowledge and skills of graduates.

A very interesting part of the meeting was a joint discussion with the participants of the “Water, Society and Climate Change. Africa and Asia” (WaSo Asia & Africa) project, where participants were able to exchange experiences and assess the goals, organization and achievements of the both projects. The total number of participants was about 50 from 18 universities and 12 countries: Ukraine, Norway, Sri Lanka, Germany, Poland, China, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Cambodia!

The meeting was held in a constructive dialogue: presentations of both projects, after which the participants of the meeting evaluated the work of each project. In general, both projects received good grades, but weaknesses have also been underlined, what would improve the implementation of the project aims and dissemination of its results.

In between work-related discussions, the Sri Lankan colleagues organized an exploratory tour of the old city of Anuradhapura, whose numerous antiquities are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Minneriya National Park, where everyone could observe the life of elephants in the wild. And, of course, everyone remembered tasting in the fresh air in the shade of coconut trees with traditional drinks.

The project meeting was productive, informative and interesting. Colleagues from the University of Jaffna provided comfortable working and resting conditions, as well as organized the opportunity to plunge into the identity of Sri Lanka, get acquainted with its culture and traditions. All participants of the meeting are grateful for the warm welcome!

Also, the dates of the next meetings of the project team were confirmed: in Ukraine (Dnipro) – June 15.06-18.06.2018, and, final, in Norway (Oslo) – October 2.10-9.10.2018. See you in Ukraine, in the city Dnipro!

IX Project Meeting In Jaffna (Sri Lanka)

Mobility of Ukrainian teachers (I. Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology and Cherkassy State Technological University) to University of Applied Science Ostwestfalen-Lippe was carried out from 8th to 14th January 2018 in Frame of Water Harmony Erasmus+.

At the first day, Ukrainian teachers had a unique opportunity to visit the municipal wastewater treatment plant of town Holzminden, which is the one of the biggest treatment plant of the whole Niedersachsen Land. At the afternoon colleagues had the opportunity to get better acquainted with each other, present their universities and research topics, and discuss about the learning process in HS-OWL.

Next day was full of different discussions and lectures. The day began from the lecture of master course “Water supply in developing countries” given by Professor Fettig. By the way, that was one of the courses, which Ukrainian Erasmus+ students attend. After that, Ukrainian teachers had the excursion around HS-OWL laboratories, where discussed the lab courses and ways of their improvement.

Olga Sanginova (KPI) and Natalia Fomina (CSTU) gave lectures from courses they taught to the students of the host university. Second working day’s agenda was finished by the lectures of Mr. Cristoph, about system of Public services of town Holzminden.

Third day of mobility brought many impressions. The day started with presentation and further discussion of project works, which were carrying out by Ukrainian students in Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe. At the afternoon German teachers and their Ukrainian colleagues visited the modern landfill and the leachate treatment plant in Wherden, where more than 50 different types of waste (including liquids) is recycled or utilized. The leachate is treated by the reverse osmosis.

Forth day was full of practical experience. Participants had a great opportunity to visit company FSB (Brakel). This company manufactures handles for doors and windows, and produces other metal accessories for households. There everyone could get a look for a real “green production” where is no wastewater, everything works in close cycles. The water losses are covered by treated storm water collected from the roof of the enterprise. After lunch, there was the visit to one of the biggest Biogas plant of the region, which produces 4 MWt electricity annually.

The last day was dedicated to sightseeing and cultural events. Ukrainian teachers had a sightseeing tour to Paderborn, city in 40 km from Hoxter, which is full of different historical and cultural places. Accept trip around the streets gests visited Heinz-Nixdorf Computer Museum and got acquainted with German high-tech history.

Participants are very thankful to the hosts, who organized agenda in a very interesting and fruitful way and looking for next meetings.

SMS To UAS-OUL

From 10^th until 16^th of December 2017, teachers from three Ukrainian universities (Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, National Technical University “Ihor Sikorsky Kiev Polytechnic Institute”, Cherkasy State Technological University) took part in a special mobility strand to The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM, Poland,) in the framework of the project “Water Harmony. Erasmus + “.

The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn is a major educational and research center in Poland. Currently, 27000 students, 600 doctoral students and 1,500 post-graduate students obtain the education at UWM in 17 faculties and 65 departments. In recent decades, UWM has undergone an intensive transformation. Thanks to the funds of the European Union, the scientific and technical potential of the University was significantly strengthened through the purchase of high-tech laboratory and scientific equipment. Now the main emphasis is made on the practical preparation of students and their adaptation to the future workplace through close interaction with enterprises, as well as the use of real industrial installations in the teaching processes.

The main purpose of this event was the exchange of experience between Polish and Ukrainian colleagues in training of specialists in the water related sphere. The range of discussed issues concerned the professional education (modern laboratory equipment, the organization of laboratory works and practical studies, student research) and the quality control of education (the system for assessing knowledge, the rating evaluation of the staff, the system for verifying student and scientific works on plagiarism). According to this the Polish colleagues prepared the program full of lecture classes, visits to laboratory and practical classes, excursions to public and private enterprises and institutions that are the bases of practice for students.

Particular interest of Ukrainian colleagues was established to the plagiarism verifying software. Such software is just beginning to be used in Ukrainian universities and there is not much experience of its use now.

Also, interest and discussion was dedicated to the rating and evaluation system of teachers for improvement of the staff work quality by financial encouragement or administrative punishment based on the results of the assessment. Similar systems exist in Ukrainian universities, but it is used, mainly, for ascertaining the fact of fulfilling the duties of a teacher. Also, big interest attended the practice of student surveys about the quality of education processes. In turn, Polish colleagues were interested in the practice of organizing the contest “Best lecturer” which is a common practice at the Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology. The idea of a competitive selection of the best lecturers and farther giving of master classes for their colleagues was very positively assessed by the Polish colleagues.

It was interesting and useful meeting with the scientists of the Olsztyn Branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences. In frame of the meeting participants was familiarized with the research topics and was agreed about participation of graduate students from Ukrainian universities in an open competition for studing in the branch.

Were organized field trips for being acquainted with modern methods and devices for ecological ecosystems monitoring, in particular, monitoring of a water body conditions. Also was prepared interesting excursion to the municipal Wastewater treatment plant of city Olsztyn, where the participants were acquainted with modern approaches in the field of wastewater treatment, automation of the treatment complex and the recycling of generated waste.

In addition, within the framework of the mobility strand, the meeting was held with the founder and owner of the chemical company ChemProf, Dr. Michal Luczynski, who kindly agreed to conduct a tour through the chemical laboratory for the analysis of product quality and the production of environmentally friendly food additives.

In short time of rest, Polish colleagues organized sightseeing tours around the beautiful, interesting and festive city of Olsztyn, both, in its historical center, where Nikolai Copernicus once lived and worked, and in the city surroundings with beautiful lakes.

Roman Smotraiev, smotr00@gmail.com
Serhii Shmyhol, sergioshyhol@gmail.com

SMS To UWM (December 2017)

2017th for the “Water Harmony Erasmus+” project turned out very fruitful on student mobility. On the eve of the end of the year, we decided to prepare short summary.

From March to July Ukrainian partners-universities hosted five students from the University of Warmia-Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland). Students had an excellent opportunity to deepen their knowledge in water related subjects, conduct research, and also travel around Ukraine and get acquainted with its cultural peculiarities. It should be noted that in the case of this mobility, new knowledge was acquired not only by students, but also by teachers from European students.

In June-July of this year, was held The International Summer School “Water Harmony” , in which participated students from 17 countries. This year the number of participants was a record – 66 people. The students attended the course of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, THT-311 -Water Resources Management and Treatment Technologies, and passed the exam. Also, the participants had perhaps the most unique opportunity, in comparison with the summer schools of previous years, to spend seven days in the Svalbard archipelago at the University Center in Svalbard (UNIS) and took the THT-312 course – Water Management in the Cold Climate.

In August, Master-student from Ukrainian universities returned home after 1 year mobility program at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). Each of them carried out scientific research on a certain topic related to water issues. The students admitted that it was a very difficult year, but how much knowledge, skills, and emotions they gave, justifies all the efforts spent.

Since October 12 students from Ukraine (per four from each university-partner of the project: KPI I. Sikorsky, CSTU, USCTU) went to conquer Europe: 6 students throughout the year will learn from the best teachers of the German Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe), which is located in town Höxter, and the second group of six students will also work with the equally competent mentors of the Polish University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn throughout one year. At the moment, students are settled in new places, strengthened to learn local languages ​​and started to study and work on research.

Thus, the project provided 92 students with a unique opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills in the water sphere. It is worth noting also, that each student get a scholarships, which allowed them to concentrate fully on the educational process and to dedicate their time to research.

Serhii Shmyhol, Sergioshyhol@gmail.com
Iryna Kosogina, kosogina@email.ua

Rich In Students Mobilities Year – 2017