<< Background >>The dynamic development of modern technologies forces the need for constant adaptation of higher education to new challenges. The study programs proposed to students must correspond to the current needs of the labor market. The European Union is facing a shortage of specialists, particulary in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and in the field of information and communication technologies. There are too few women in these fields of study. For years, in partner countries and across Europe, there has been a strong trend to attract more people to study in areas where there is a need for skilled workers and, at the same time, there is a labor shortage. In recent years, increasing emphasis has been placed on transversal skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and key competences such as mathematical reasoning and digital competences, which will enable them to enter the profession successfully after graduation. A key approach to education is based on the concept of multidisciplinarity, removing traditional divisions into subjects and disciplines. This approach makes it easier to combine science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with other disciplines, and also involves learning by experience. For the development of higher education in Europe, it is necessary to build international, long-term alliances between higher education institutions in Europe, as well as to improve the competences and skills of research and teaching staff. Higher education in Europe is changing dynamically and internationalization is now an integral part of any university's strategy and one of the challenges of education in all partner countries. The development of a joint study program, exchange of good practices, and improvement of the partners' teaching competences are therefore the basis for cooperation in this project.Analysis of the needs of target groups. 1.Adjusting study curriculum to the needs of students, the labor market and a modern concept of higher education: the need identified ased on own research on the quality of education at partner universities, data from the analysis of graduates tracking and thanks to feedback from enterprises where students complete their apprenticeships or student internships.2.increase in teaching competences of academic teachers, including the use of e-learning and blended learning materials in STEM educationOne of the completed challenges of this project will be to define what constitutes a core knowledge base of materials and how this will be taught given the array of science and engineering departments involved in materials research and materials education today. As a results of intellectual work, a methodology for the implementation of the new master's degree program in the field of Materials Science and Engineering will be developed. The methodology will be based on good practices of partner universities and examples of the best academic centers in Europe.<< Objectives >>The project will allow for the development of innovative methodological and didactic solutions, and will increase the attractiveness of the material science study program. Developing a teaching system that will lead to the profile of a student who can independently diagnose and solve problems related to Materials Science and Engineering, as well as develop a universal methodology and good practices in didactics of materials science and guidelines for teaching staff / academic teachers.The partners learn about the expectations of potential employers on the European market, thus increasing the employment opportunities of their future graduates.Developed during the project work methods will be able to be used by other organizations active in the field of materials science.Implementation of the project will also have a positive impact on inspiring other organizations to build partnerships and will help the formation of further innovative educational tools.By implementing the project, we want to achieve following goals:The main objective is: Increasing the quality of higher education through the development of a new, interdisciplinary master's program in Materials Science and Engineering in an international consortium, responding to the needs of modern economy.Specific Objectives:- increasing the knowledge of at least 200 academic teachers about the directions of didactics development in the discipline of materials science;- increasing the teaching competences of 20 academic teachers - participants of short training programs;- adjusting the Master's degree program to the needs of the labor market by analyzing the needs of employers;- increasing innovation and internationalization of the institutions involved (4) through the exchange of good practices, joint development of the study program and teaching materials in the form of blended learning and promotion of open education;<< Implementation >>1. The market and science environment needs analysis: the aim of the activite will be to identify knowledge and skills desired by employers, students' expectations as to the methods and results of studying, analyse the needs and barriers of contemporary teaching in materials engineering as well as technology and identify possible solutions. Action includes: preparation of a report on students and market needs research. We assume the participation in the study of at least 50 companies operating in industries related to materials engineering and at least 80 students; organization of a seminar disseminating the implementation of the project, the aim of which will be to analyse barriers in teaching materials engineering and the needs of students. 80 academic teachers will take part in the seminar, 5 experts will be invited. In addition, the seminar will be conducted in a hybrid form so the support will be available to academic teachers from other European academic centers. Materials from the seminar and conclusions from the discussion will be printed in the form of a report.2. Development of an innovative study program: The dynamic development of new technologies, the strong influence of ecology, the globalization effect, connections and dissemination of information observed over the past years require the introduction of appropriate changes in the approach to materials science and engineering teaching. The closed circle between material, technology and application makes this discipline constantly developing. It requires the modernization of laboratory facilities as well as the methodical approach to teaching. Departure from disciplinary knowledge forces the development of new programs that follow global requirements or trends. The program will be based on experiences and good practices developed jointly as part of cooperation with European partners as well as results of IO1. The target group will be master's degree students and academic teachers. The curriculum content will help shape the profile of a graduate with professional competencies enabling him/her to take up effective work in the European industrial sector or prepare a candidate with scientific predispositions to undertake doctoral studies.3. Development of the methodology of the study program: as part of activite, 4 training programs - study visits - will be organized. Each partner will organize one study visit. Each event will be attended by 5 representatives of partner institutions. The purpose of short training programs will be:- participation in laboratory classes/lectures at the partner university- getting acquainted with the didactic methods of partner universities- participation in workshops on the blended learning module developed by the partner.In addition, a dissemination event will be organized - a conference to which experts in the field of material engineering will be invited. The aim of the event will be to share good practices and practical solutions in the teaching of materials science. Conference materials and conclusions from the discussion will be published in the form of a report, which is part of the teaching methodology developed under IO3<< Results >>Intellectual Outputs:IO1. The market and science environment needs analysisThe aim of the result will be to identify knowledge and skills desired by employers, students' expectations as to the methods and results of studying, analyse the needs and barriers of contemporary teaching in materials engineering and identify possible solutions.IO2. An innovative study programThe result of intellectual work will consist of 4 elements: 1. Learning outcomes based on IO1 results. 2. Four-semester master's degree program - each semester, 20 modules will be developed, 80 in total. From this, the student will be able to compose the path of modules appropriate to his/her targeted interest. Each partner is expected to develop 20 modules. 3. Syllabuses - describing the structure of each module, skills and gathered knowledge. 4. Teaching materials supporting education in the form of blended learning - as an example of good practice and supporting materials, 4 blended learning modules will be developed. IO3. The methodology of the study program The aim of IO3 is to support academic teachers in implementing a new master's degree program. The educational methodology will be developed on the basis of good practices developed within the consortium and the best examples of didactics of material engineering in European academic centers.In conclusion, the following results will be developed (as part of the IO and outside the IO): 1. 1 Master's degree program Materials Engineering 2. 1 report on the analysis of labor market needs 3. 2 reports from the seminar / conference identifying barriers in teaching materials engineering and good practices of the best academic centers in Europe 4. 4 blended learning modules (10 lessons each)5. 4 training programs - study visits 6. 3 multiplier events 7. 1 network of contacts between HEIs and businesses at european level 8. 1 project website 9.100 news items to be published on the website during the project.