Due to the globalisation of the maritime industry it is evident that training and education of students is less isolated to particular regions. As a result many students who begin study in one region often end up working in another region. This complicates matters when further studies are required. Students need to return to their original institution of study due to recognition and possible language restrictions. Therefore the NMU and SAMK after a number of meetings and visits decided to begin a partnership to develop the maritime qualifications and staff and student exchange. SAMK identified the Erasmus+ programme as an opportunity to incorporate other leading institutions in the maritime training sector from Europe and South Africa. All the EURO-ZA partners have a long history in maritime education with some European partners over 100 years. Therefore this is an opportunity to conduct a detailed analysis of the curriculums and facilities to truly evaluate any similarities, differences and opportunity for improvement for both the South African and European partners. It is noted that the NMU is only starting maritime education but has been involved in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Civil and Mechatronics) for decades. This programme will conduct an extensive evaluation of all six maritime curriculla. Comparison of these curriculla will lead to an understanding of similarities and differences. Out of this a comprehensive understanding can be established as to what the strengths and weaknesses are in each institution's curriculum. Included in the study a detailed evaluation will also be conducted on the different pedagogical processes as well as facilities.The result will enable a possible alignment of qualifications allowing knowledge sharing, student, staff and research exchange ultimately recognising a global standard and an improved product to industry.

The overarching aim of the EURYDICE project is to increase students' employability in the field of renewable energies, on the basis of closer collaboration between university and industry. Industry often complains that practical experience of the graduates is missing. This lack can be found on all the layers of the education system in South Africa: vocational training, diploma studies, bachelor and master degrees as well as doctoral studies.Within this project we focus on renewable energies with the overall goal to enhance employability. The energy generation landscape in South Africa is undergoing a fundamental transition, as the vision of the energy strategy is to contribute to an affordable energy for all. Closing the gap between TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges) studies and diploma study by the definition of industrial experience requirements for University of Technology (UoT) diploma students. This leads to an increased preparedness and “studyability” of UoT diploma students. Industrial stakeholders will be integrated into the process. The project will develop an “Industrial Portal” as working tool. Increasing industrial experience in UoT bachelor education by the integration of practical experience into the curriculum. Within the project offered Fast-Track Acceleration program for graduates, enables students for a fast employment or starting a new enterprise in the field. To increase industry cooperation in post graduate education “OpenLabs” and “MobileLabs” are developed within the project. It is intended that industry brings industrial problems into the “Labs”, which will then be solved by the students.Workshops and summer schools guarantee that best-practices in defining and implementing the measures are being used, that input of all relevant stakeholders (i.e. South African students) is been taken into account.

In 2015, over 300 million tons of plastic were estimated to be produced worldwide. It is nowadays widely acknowledged that a proportion of this plastic reaches the aquatic environment in the form of plastic debris of various sizes. While Rochman et al., in the journal Nature, suggested to "classify plastic waste as hazardous", the scope of the impact of plastic debris on the aquatic environment and human health remains largely unknown. Despite being the least studied aspect of plastic debris in the environment, nano-size plastic is potentially the most hazardous. One significant source of micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) generated in industrialised countries is municipal wastewater sludge and effluents with a direct potential to impact recipient water bodies through reuse of treated wastewater, a practice increasingly suggested as a way to address water scarcity in the EU and worldwide. Although currently disregarded, the release of MNPs into the aquatic environment may negatively impact aquatic ecosystems beyond the mere physical presence of the plastic particles. Freshwater and marine water contamination by MNPs emerges as a fundamental problem directly undermining the fulfilment of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This project proposes to address two unacknowledged ensuing threats related to the potential for these MNPs to (i) act as trojan horse for chemical additives and contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), and to (ii) act as trojan horse for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes into aquatic ecosystems through wastewater reuse applications. There is currently a limited understanding of the release of MNPs from urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs) into freshwaters and even less on the fate of chemical additives associated with these plastic particles. Most plastics are produced and filled with a variety of chemical additives with specific purposes (e.g. plasticisers, flame retardants or UV filters). The impact of these chemical additives in freshwaters is closely associated to the fate of the plastic particles and remains largely unknown. In addition, the characteristic high surface area-to-volume ratio of MNPs may add to their potential hazardous effects as persistent and toxic contaminants (CEC) present in wastewater effluents have been demonstrated to be adsorbed on these particles. Further, the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and their traits has been recognised as a truly global challenge that needs to be addressed at a global scale. The aquatic environment including lakes, rivers, streams, and coastlines, receives effluents from UWTPs, runoff from agricultural activities, and other human inputs and may become reservoirs of antibiotic resistance possibly further eliciting the emergence and propagation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). Since DNA is known to sorb to certain plastics, we postulate that MNPs may represent an emerging risk for transportation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) acting as a trojan horse for the transmission of antibiotic resistance through horizontal gene transfer along wastewater fluxes and in the environment (aquatic ecosystems and soils through wastewater reuse). In the NANO-CARRIERS project, we propose through a series of laboratory experiments, field measurements and case studies to develop new understanding of the risk posed by the UWTPs-based emission of micro and particularly nano-sized plastic particles into aquatic ecosystems in the context of emission and spread of chemical additives, CEC and antibiotic resistance genes.

South Africa is a country that continues to fight with poverty, high levels of unemployment and inequality despite the fact that economic growth has slowed down in recent years. “Basic enablers” for Southern Africa's sustainable growth, employment creation and reducing income inequality are especially HE institutions with business enabling environment, education and skills as mentioned in the Strategy Paper of the country. Particularly, successful organization of engineering education is related to the increasing relevance of the issues that are directly reflected in South Africa's National Priorities. One of the greatest challenges Southern Africa is facing at the moment is the acute shortage of engineers. The White Paper (Dep. of HE&T, Nov. 2013) proposes the introduction of on-line learning as appropriate to increase access, enhance quality and improve throughput and success.Using the knowledge developed by all partners the output of the proposed project PEESA III are: a) Design of min. three (3) engineering degree programmes at Partner Country's HEIs aligned with EUR-ACE standards, effective use of ICT, flexible learning path, transversale skills and closer University – Enterprise cooperation.b) Finalise self-assessment reports for EUR-ACE Accreditation of three (3) MA programmes on Energy Efficiency developed within the Edulink’s PEESA project, c) Increase the number of female students in engineering at Partner Country's universities together with closer University-Enterprise cooperation.As a result we get better employability of graduates, more engineering students (especially female students) which contribute to regional sustainable growth as well as social and cultural development. We promote student centred learning by accommodating their different learning styles as well as different circumstances in which students find themselves.The national and international mobility is supported through mutual recognition of degrees and modules.

Around 300 million African girls and women are at risk of the poverty related disease, Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), and 400 million are at risk for cervical cancer. Most of these are in Sub-Saharan Africa. FGS may be mistaken for cervical cancer or a sexually transmitted infection, and treated accordingly. Women may have FGS lesions, have cryptogenic bloody or malodorous discharge, or pain, and, be at higher risk for HIV and Human papillomavirus (HPV). FGS is best diagnosed by point-of-care visualisation of the shape and colour of the lesions. However, health professionals require several weeks of training where the disease is seen frequently, and often they need a colposcope to recognise FGS. Worldwide, there are only a handful of health professionals who are proficient in FGS diagnosis. A multispectral highly innovative colposcope linked to a smartphone, designed by an SME for cervical cancer recognition, will be adapted and validated for FGS diagnosis in this proposal. In three countries with different FGS epidemiology and different practices for gynaecological investigations of women, we will conduct a clinical trial in the spirit of the EDCTP agenda, with the ultimate aim of a patent and local production. With lessons from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an eLearning course will be designed and trialled. Equipment, consultations and training will be adapted to practical realities (cultures, unstable electricity/internet, poverty, vulnerability). As recommended by the WHO and the "HPV faster approach", the diagnosis should be at the point-of-care. Management and data collection protocols will be designed in collaboration with the national health authorities in Southern Africa, the WHO and also in one European country. This is a thrust to promote clinical research and digitalisation for vulnerable populations. Hundreds of clinicians and scientists will receive training in FGS, clinical trials, and social sciences.