EUSL Energy – An exciting journey towards a New Era of Learning in Energy and Circular Economy
In 2019, we embarked on the EUSL Energy project (www.euslenergy.com) with the goal of establishing an online master's degree program in Energy Circular Economy, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Sri Lanka. We were fortunate to secure generous funding from the Erasmus+ program, specifically under the theme of capacity building in higher education. This marked a significant milestone in the Sri Lankan higher education industry, as it brought together four state universities—the Open University Sri Lanka, the University of Moratuwa, the University of Peradeniya, and the University of Ruhuna—to collaborate on building this master's degree program. Additionally, three European universities, namely KTH (Sweden), University of Twente (Netherlands), and Centrale-Supelec (France), joined forces with the project.
Project managers and teachers at M36 meeting
Throughout this journey, we encountered numerous challenges, some of which were beyond our control, such as the global pandemic and socio-economic instability in Sri Lanka. However, we remained determined and successfully developed our product— the creation of the MSc in Energy Circular Economy (https://mece.managewe.com). We are delighted to have enrolled over 120 Sri Lankan students and one Philippine native in the first intake, hailing from various locations ranging from nearby areas in Colombo to far-off countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Philippines. From June 14th to June 18th, 2023, we held the M36 meeting, which served as the final official gathering of the project. During this event, we had the opportunity to meet with the most important stakeholders of the project—students who have enrolled in the first batch. As of now, the outcomes of the project are being carried forward by a strong consortium comprising the four Sri Lankan state universities. The project has now entered the final reporting phase, marking the culmination of our efforts.
Project team and students of the first intake
Another exciting development from our project is the creation of four remote laboratories. This represents a significant advancement, making energy and circular economy studies more accessible while enriching learning experiences for students. With the help of cutting-edge technology and novel teaching methods, these remote labs will offer hands-on learning experiences. Students can immerse themselves in practical experiments, simulations, and data analysis that are crucial in understanding energy systems and circular economy practices. What's more, by being remote, these labs break down geographical boundaries, extending their reach to a wider range of students, thus democratizing access to these important educational tools.
One of the 4 Remote Laboratories of the project – Sri Lanka’s first ever remote wind energy lab at University of Ruhuna.
We have reached an exciting stage in our project journey as we prepare to finalize our efforts and examine the outcomes we have achieved. Throughout this project, we have dedicated our time, expertise, and collaborative spirit to develop a groundbreaking initiative that will significantly impact the field of education. As we approach the culmination of this endeavor, it is crucial that we reflect on the journey we have undertaken together.
As we near the completion of this project, now we are entering to the phase of conducting a comprehensive review and record of our accomplishments. This includes evaluating the efficacy of the newly implemented master's program and its potential to influence the education landscape, along with the impact of the remote labs on improving the learning experiences. Through this evaluation, we'll not only acknowledge our successes, but also pinpoint areas that may require further refinement or improvements to ensure the longevity and success of the products of the project. Our journey thus far has been fueled by our collective dedication and expertise. The conclusion of this project signifies a shared triumph—our commitment to propelling education forward, advocating for sustainability, and nurturing innovation. In the face of challenges, we've drawn upon our collective strengths, setting the stage for transformative change.
Yours Truly,
EUSL-Energy dissemination and communication team