Within the Water Harmony ERASMUS+ project students of Cherkasy State Technological University visited the leading Ukrainian enterprise manufacturing water purification equipment – Ecosoft.

On 20 th of January 2017 Ecosoft, company, which holds over 50 percent of the Ukrainian market of water purification equipment, kindly opened their doors to students and teachers from the Department of chemical technology and water treatment ChSTU.

Ecosoft is one of the partners in educational project Water Hamony ERASMUS + and was founded in 1991 by the graduate of Kiev Polytechnic Institute, and now professor Tatyana Mitchenko. Future market leader began with a small own laboratory in which young team designed solutions for the treatment of water for energy and food industries. Now the company employs about 300 professionals, 40 of which – the water industry professional of high qualification. This company is a prime example of the science and business synergy, the results of which were the developments that are in demand in Ukraine and in 44 countries, including USA, Germany, UK, Italy and others.

Besides acquaintance with production and technological processes of products manufacturing was also discussed the possibility of passing the practice at the plant and in partner companies by the students of the Department of chemical technology and water treatment. It was also agreed to set up and  reestablish reverse osmosis system, which was developed within the framework of the international project “Water Harmony”.

An excursion was organized in the frame of the implementation project objective: improving of cooperation with enterprises. Also special thanks expressed to the labour union of ChSTU, which helped to cover the voyage cost.

S. Shmyhol, s.smyhol@chdtu.edu.ua

The project meeting was carried out from 1st to 4th December in Qingdao (China).

The participants were welcomed by the vice president of Qingdao Technological University prof. Li Guohua and coordinator of the project from the University prof. Xuejun Bi.

After opening the meeting, the Chinese colleagues conducted an interesting excursion-presentation of research and development and teaching laboratories of the University. The audience showed a great interest in the laboratory, designed for conducting classes, equipped with a model of water treatment units. Representatives from many universities expressed a desire to establish similar models in their laboratories, which would allow students to perceive the course material better and prepare them for the practical training at the enterprises in the field of water.

During the meeting a seminar for students and teachers was held. Participants were presenting the latest achievements from the sphere of their scientific interests.

Aspects of high importance, such as: the mobility of students and teachers, the coordination of the upcoming meetings of the working group and the development of lectures and presentations related to 6 studying courses, were discussed in the meeting as well.

Concerning student mobility, the following dates were agreed: 18.06-08.07.2016 for summer training courses in Norway and the 1st of October 2017 as the start up date for annual studying in Germany and Poland. In addition, the requirements for English proficiency, established by host universities, were discussed.

Besides, the dates for the next three project meetings were set: in Germany (Höxter) – 25.03-28.03.2017; Ukraine (Cherkasy) – 8.07-11.07.2017; China (Shandong) – 24.10-24.10.2017.

A lot of time was devoted to the content of the training courses, analysis of what has already been done on the subject of “Wastewater Treatment” course. In addition, prof. H. Ratnaweera raised the issue of the teaching quality improvement – presentation of the lectures and the ability to awake students’ interest and curiosity by the subject of the lecture, which also entailed quite a hot discussion, exchange of best practices between the teachers. Finally, all the above-mentioned resulted in the design of 10-12 practical recommendations for lecturers that will attract the student attention to the studying material.

On the topic of cooperation with enterprises, it was decided that during the project implementation, every university should involve at least two companies in the practical training sessions for students and their further employment there.

Between discussions and contentious work the Chinese colleagues organized a kind of educational excursion to the Wastewater treatment plant in Qingdao and provided an interesting city tour.

In general, the meeting was fruitful, informative and interesting. Colleagues from Qingdao Technological University made good conditions for work and rest, and provided the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Chinese identity, to get acquainted with its culture and traditions.

Serhii Shmyhol, s.shmyhol@chdtu.edu.ua