In order to achieve the project objectives, all major types of working packages and needed activities with milestones (noted as Mx, meaning month x) are planned:
PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES
WP1 Research and needs analysis: Based on the analysis of EU practice, experiences and legislation in the area of dual higher education (DHE) and survey of Serbian companies (from different regions and in different industrial sectors) needs for DHE, a report on the state-of-the-art of DHE will be prepared with recommendations. The second report will summarize the results of the surveys and interviews with the companies.
Milestone: end M7
Activities: 1.1 Analysis of EU practices and experiences, 1.2 Study visits to EU partners, 1.3 Survey of companies needs for DHE in Serbia
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
WP2 Flexible and generic Dual Higher Education Model (DHEM) for Serbia: Within this WP a flexible and generic Dual Higher Education Model (DHEM) for Serbia will be developed (M12), including the remarks given by key stakeholders and policy makers at the Discussion Forum on the proposed DHEM which will be used for polishing the draft version of DHEM. This model will represent a synthesis of the needs of different stakeholders identified in WP1. The model will be flexible in terms of DHE programme concept, duration of internship, engagement of students, paid or free internships, as well as all other options identified in WP1.
Milestones: Key stakeholders and policy makers confirmed their participation in Discussion Forum by the end of M6; Draft version of the DHEM model developed by the end of M6.
Activities: 2.1 Development of a flexible and generic Dual Higher Education Model for Serbia, 2.2 Organization of Conference on DualEdu added value to industrial sector, 2.3 Discussion Forum on the proposed DHEM model with key stakeholders and policy makers
WP3 Creation of Legal and Other Conditions for Implementation of DHE in Serbia: Within this WP the details regarding the proposal of needed changes in legislation and regulation acts in the Republic of Serbia identified in WP 2 will be developed. It is foreseen that the changes of Serbian Laws on Dual Education, Higher Education, and Labour as well as of Accreditation Standards will be needed. Three working groups will be established and will create the proposals of the amendments for considered legal acts and submit them to the authorities. The changes in all other secondary laws connected to these laws will be proposed and submitted to the authorities, as well.
Milestones: Working groups established and start their work by the end of M6
Activities: 3.1 Creating amendments to the Law on Higher Education of Serbia and Law on Dual Education (M8), 3.2 Creating amendments to the Labour Law (M8), 3.3 Creating amendments to the Accreditation Standards (M8), 3.4 Discussion forum on draft proposals of ammendments (M8), 3.5 Creating recommendations to HEIs in Serbia how to implement DHE (M36)
WP4 Pilot testing of the flexible and generic DHEM: Flexible and generic DHEM developed in WP2will represent a basis for development of specific DHEMs. Within this WP each HEI partner from Serbia develops at least one own specific DHEM according the overall needs of companies in the selected sector (M13). Each HEI will present the defined specific DHEM concept to selected companies in order to make agreements for their participation in DHE study programme. After agreement with companies on their participation in DHE, HEIs will create detailed plan of DHE programme, purchase relevant equipment (M15) and complete creating training materials in cooperation with companies (M28). The core of this WP is the implementation of specific DHEMs (M32).
Milestones: 50% of agreements signed by M14 of the project; 50% of pilot test started by the end of M17; 100% of teaching, training and learning material for the next semester prepared before semester start.
Activities: 4.1 Identification and conceptual definition of specific DHEMs; 4.2 Presenting specific DHEMs to companies and making agreements for participation; 4.3 Planning of pilot testing of specific DHEMs; 4.4 Purchase of equipment; 4.5 Development of training materials; 4.6 Pilot implementation and testing of specific DHEMs; 4.7 Analysis of the results of pilot testing. (M35)
QUALITY PLAN ACTIVITIES
WP5 Quality Assurance and Monitoring: At the beginning of the project the quality and evaluation strategy will be generated. This strategy will include the action plan for quality assurance with definition of EU experts from project consortium for peer review, the methods for internal quality assessment, and the metrics for analysis of project outcomes. Each PC partner will generate internal QA report and programme countries partners will generate external QA evaluation reports. These reports will be submitted to SC and will represent a basis for generation of Interim and Final evaluation reports.
Milestone: Draft version of Quality and evaluation strategy created by the end of M2
Activities: 5.1 Creating quality and evaluation strategy and project quality monitoring (M3), 5.2 Preparation of the interim evaluation report (M17), 5.3 Preparation of the final evaluation report (M36)
DISSEMINATION AND EXPLOITATION ACTIVITIES
WP6 Dissemination and Exploitation of Results: The main aim of this WP is to raise awareness throughout duration of project and after its completion among stakeholders and general audience for DHE. As new types of studies, it is important to be publically and professionally recognized as a significant new component of the HE system in Serbia. The project final conference will present all project outcomes and provide recommendation and guidelines for their successful implementation in Serbia. This WP starts with project logo and Web portal. Further on, different kinds of activities are considered: social media profiles, participation at education fairs, presentations of specific DHEMs to secondary schools pupils, etc.
Activities: 6.1 Defining dissemination and exploitation plan (M2), 6.2 Preparation of dissemination products (until M36), 6.3 Preparation of the Interim dissemination and exploitation report (M18), 6.4 Preparation of the final dissemination and exploitation report (M36), 6.5 Final Conference (M36).
MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
WP7 Project management: This WP aims to coordinate and manage all project activities assuring timely delivery of planned outcomes, with expected or required quality. The major decision-making body of the project will be Steering Committee (SC) which will consist of two representative from each EU and Serbian partner. Local Committee (LC) will consist of representatives of Serbian partners in order to facilitate the project implementation in HEIs. SC will meet 5, and LC 7 times during the project.
Activities: 7.1 Overall project management; 7.2 Five Steering Committee meetings; 7.3 Seven Local Committee meetings; 7.4 Monitoring and interim report; 7.5 Preparation of final report
