Brief description
Development of a Joint Research and Training Centre for High Technology
Region Internal EU borders
Countries Latvia (LV) – Lithuania (LT)
Location Latvia: Ventspils
Lithuania: Klaipeda
Type of project partners Educational institutions
Size (total budget including EU grants) Over € 500,000
Main themes Competitiveness, business and SME development, trade and investment
Research, technological development, innovation and ICT
Keywords (Types of Activities) Education and training
Research and studies
Acquisition of equipment
Keywords (Aspects of Good Practice) Genuine cross-border dimension
Genuine cross-border impact
Innovative
Good dissemination
Good sustainability

Background and Objectives The objective of the project was to promote the development of knowledge in the Klaipeda (LT) and Ventspils (LV) regions, setting up and implementing a joint research and training centre for high technology. In addition the project aspired to consolidate the two universities’ academic staff of young scientists, the project target groups, leaders, clarifying the scientific and educational priorities in the development of project sustainability.
Main activities The project was implemented by the Computer Engineering Department at Klaipeda University (KU) and the Ventspils University College (VUC), and involved the creation of a joint research and training centre for the creation of high-technology (JRTC).

The project focused on the development of technology and training of human resources to increase the productivity of enterprises looking for highly skilled IT professionals able to work with modern IT, design and production methods.

Its main activities were as follows:

  • Research infrastructure improvements, including laboratory works, the purchase of hardware and the installation of WLAN for pilot training and research.
  • A jointly developed programme of pilot training courses for target groups in both universities.
  • A general research conception for the JRTC development, research and curriculum development, including implementation of the scientific research in VUC and KU labs, with students involvement in the research and enabling them to prepare the final work.
  • Dissemination of knowledge and publications, ranging from the development of a common multilingual portal in Lithuanian, Latvian and English languages oriented to VUC and KU target groups, as well as to the wide public of the cross-border region, to the preparation of joint scientific publications in peer-reviewed conference proceedings and journals.
Main results In particular during its operation the project achieved the following:

  • The establishment of the “Joint Research and Training Centre in the Area of High Technology”.
  • The establishment of a high-tech field  the JRC; both universities could open new modern laboratories equipped with National Instruments (NI), hardware and software. The well equipped scientists, researchers and students were given the opportunity to perform a variety of experiments and research, the results of which were widely published.
  • The common concept of the new research and study area was prepared containing specific requirements for Klaipeda University (KU) and Ventspils University College (VUC) academic staff members, newly employed researchers and students.
  • Scientific research was conducted. The project leaders and their research assistants (students) from the laboratories of both universities prepared four scientific papers, which were presented during the conference “Technology Research Works in West Lithuania 2010” (Klaipeda University, Lithuania).
  • Four training sessions were held in LabVIEW Basic I, Basic II, LabVIEW, NI Elvis Basic: data acquisition, NI Signal Processing Basics in both countries, during which more than 20 task force members gained significant knowledge and practical skills to work with National Instruments equipment thus creating jobs in both universities for young scientists and researchers.
Aspects of good practice

The new cross-border JRTC centre developed during the project serves as a core structure for cross-border sustainable cooperation to increase the level of technological, methodological, informative and organisational supply of study and research processes at both partner universities.

The setup of a Virtual Interface between KU and VUC laboratories for on-line networking and dissemination of information among target group members has been planned.
Start and completion dates:
January 2010 – July 2012
More information http://www.latlit.eu/eng/running_projects/llii061_cross_boarder_jrtc

Partner Klaipedos Universitetas

Bijunu st. 17-206, Klaipeda, LT-91225 , Lithuania
Tel.: +37046 398986
Fax: +37046 398682
Website: http://iik.ku.lt/lt.php/
Partner Ventspils Augstskola

101a Inženieru Street, Ventspils, LV – 3600, Latvia, Ventspils, LV-3600, Latvia
Tel.: +37136 29657
Fax: +37136 29660
Website: http://www.venta.lv