Why this BIP

The education on circular economy is limited, with high development needs, particularly in higher education. In the engineering and science fields, transversal training programs are consequently essential to level knowledge and to promote interdisciplinary actions, of high relevance to achieve the goals of this economic model, also contributing to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development adopted by the United Nations.

This blended intensive program integrates the realities of different countries, namely of Portugal, Spain and Italy, with specialists in the engineering and sustainability fields to promote collaborative learning through innovative pedagogical approaches in a topic of high relevance, contributing to the integration of this field in different study cycles.

Partner Institutions

Places available

Min.15 Max.40

Who can participate

This training is aimed at 2^nd and 3^rd cycle students of engineering, technology or science degrees who wish to complement their knowledge in the area of circular economy through alternative pedagogical methodologies that combine distance and face-to-face teaching activities and a mobility period.

The course is expected to mostly comprise international students (outside Portugal). This year there will be however 4 spots for local students (FEUP) to participate.

In case of available places, those might be attributed to professional candidates (having a Bachelor and/or an MSc Degree in engineering, technology or science).

Fees

2nd and 3rd cycle students of Science, Technology and Engineering – partner HEIs: no fee

2nd and 3rd cycle students of Science, Technology and Engineering from other HEIs: 180 €

Professionals in the areas of Science, Technology and Engineering with a Bachelor’s or Integrated Master’s degree: 180 €

Course Certificate or Certificate of Attendance  and student insurance included.

Fees include all lunches during the face-to-face week (30/06 – 04/07)

Objectives

The BIP on Circular Economy aims to promote the collaborative learning on circular economy through innovative and practical pedagogical approaches.

The teaching and pedagogical program will allow the student to:

1. Understand the concept of circular economy, main principles, actions and models;
2. Analyze the current linear models, based on practical cases, and review them in the light of the circular economy;
3. Identify opportunities for improvement in current processes and products;
4. Develop and influence new relations of production, distribution and consumption;
5. Develop transversal competences, such as problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and leadership through interdisciplinary group work.

Duration and organisation

The curricular unit includes 81 total hours, where 26 contact hours are distributed by one week (16h) of presential activities, including field visits, talks and group work and 10h of virtual sessions, including the introductory session, talks/seminars with experts, presentation and pre-analysis of the case studies and final presentations of the assignments.

All activities start in June and are expected to occur between the 3rd of June and the 12th of July 2024.

03/06 – 14/06 – virtual component

17/06 – 21/06 – physical component in Porto

26/06 – 12/07 – virtual component

The BIP will last 6 weeks.

Part 1 of the curricular unit is the Conceptual Framework. The activities will comprise online classes with dynamic activities, including gamification(quiz) and talks by experts, this will allow the introduction of the curricular unit and of the concept of circular economy and its relevance in key areas.

Part 2 – Circular Economy In Practice will provide guidelines concerning the content of the real case studies and the main objectives and the mobility week, which includes field visits, face to face sessions (presential talks), group work and a brainstorming session aiming the analysis of real case studies. Up to four real case studies in Portugal will be selected in collaboration with national entities. The students will identify the critical success factors and barriers to the contribution in circular economy strategies in the mentioned case studies.

The curricular unit will end in Part 3 – Consolidation&Final Presentations, where students will perform, in group, an oral online presentation of the case study.
The oral presentation is mandatory.

Programme

Applications

Applications are open between December 2024 and March 2025 and should be submitted using (TBC)

Candidates should submit:

• Proof of previous/current studies;
• CV
• Motivation letter

The communication of the results is expected to occur until (TBC)

Seriation

The components considered in the selection are:

A1 – Relevance of the degree and professional experience related to circular economy (which might cover sustainability, energy, water, soils and waste fields);

A2 – Curriculum vitae,

A3 – Motivation letter.

Priority is given to students coming from degrees related to the field of Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science and Sustainability.

The calculation of the seriation score is done considering the following scores: A1 – up to 5 points; A2 – up to 10 points; A3 – up to 5 points.

TIE-BREAKER CRITERIA

• Date of application
• Interview

Certification

The workload of this course corresponds to 3 ECTS. The integration of the course in the student study plan or supplement of diploma will depend upon each institution.

Financing

Students coming from European institutions should check with the International Offices of their higher education institutions (of origin) the possibility of applying to an Erasmus+ scholarship.

The project has received funding from the European Union under the Grant Agreement no. 2021-I-PT01-KA131-HED-000004456

Professors organizing this BIP

Other faculty members involved

Maria Cristina da Costa Vila (U.Porto/FEUP)

Maria de Lurdes da Costa Lopes (U.Porto/FEUP)

Patricia Calicchio Berardi (U.Porto/FEUP)