The Renewable Energy industrial sectors in Brazil and Colombia are going through a rapid modernization and expansion period as a result of intensive investments from national and global international companies. Similar processes are expected to take place in Cuba in coming years. There is a sharply growing demand for a new type of qualified graduates in this sector in Latin American countries with deeper professional educational background in Renewable Energy Engineering with the quality similar to that provided in EU Universities. Brazilian, Colombian and Cuban Universities participating in this project, run numerous Bachelor and Master level courses developed by themselves, including in Renewable Energy Engineering (REE). Thus, the aim of this project is not a creation of new Bachelor or Master courses but a radical improvement of existing ones developed by Latin America University academics. To achieve the goal of improving quality of teaching and aligning with EU Universities, the current content of modules and teaching methods in REE modules should undergo deep modernisation processes with the assistance and input of EU universities which have a strong background and experience of teaching in these subjects. Additionally, problems identified in the work with PhD students in partner Universities are that in their study students are narrowly focused on local practices. Therefore, main activities of this project will be:1. Modernisation of core modules in REE taught to Bachelor and Master students to the level of quality corresponding to the EU standard requirements. 2. Improvement of Skills Development of PhD students in IT, communication, self-assessment, presenting and motivating and competencies for better integration into international research community.The major outcome of the project will be better professional knowledge and skills of Bachelor, Master and PhD students in REE conforming with European standards.

PLEASE NOTE: THE SUM REPORTED UNDER BUDGET: ADDITIONAL GRANT FOR SPECIAL MOBILITY STRAND IS IN FACT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT COVID-19 COSTS, TOTALING 1946,82 €. THERE IS NO SPECIAL MOBILITY STRAND IN THIS PROJECT.The CRECE project supports Cuba in the provision of regionally relevant multidisciplinary education in sustainable energy engineering and renewable energy development. This is done in order to ensure that Cuban higher education institutions (HEIs) are better equipped and able to provide high-quality experts for the ever-growing societal and energy sector development needs. The Cuban energy sector is undergoing a state-led transformation. So far, this “Energy Revolution” has improved energy efficiency but harnessing renewable energy (RE) resources is still lagging far behind. In order to attract investors, meet the government's RE targets, and reduce CO2 emissions and environmental pollution from fossil fuels, Cuba needs national expertise and experts in RE development. CRECE answers this call by training skilled experts and enabling cross-sectoral and regional cooperation possibilities. Cuban partners will be better equipped to conduct international-level energy related research and provide sustainable energy experts to the growing labour market needs.In the long run, CRECE will impact on Cuban energy self-sufficiency and domestic growth. By harnessing Cuban RE potential, not only greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, but also expenditures and dependency on oil imports will be minimised, while simultaneously improving domestic energy access and security. The project begins by creating a roadmap for addressing energy transition needs in Cuba through higher education. Following this roadmap, CRECE improves capacity and internationalisation of partner HEIs through (1) modernising learning outcomes on sustainable energy and sustainability; (2) improving teaching approaches; (3) reviewing curricula and updating learning modules; (5) improving materials, tools, equipment and facilities for quality education; (5) creating networks with relevant energy sectorstakeholders; and (6) facilitating International research collaboration and partnerships. The primary objective of the project is to support Cuban partner HEIs in the provision of upto-date and relevant education in sustainable energy systems to meet current societal and labour market needs. Regional cooperation is fostered through partnering with Costa Rica, showcasing how Costa Rican national policies have had a strong impact on prioritising renewable energy and transforming the energy sector. Cross-regional knowledge transfer is enabled by engaging European RE experts.

EU projects in the region are recognised by leading world organisations and by the local partners, as being impactful and standing as reasons for hope to growth and development. Through cross-fertilization, EU can reinforce its footprint in the higher education systems in the region. Panama is a small and dynamic country receptive to modernisation, and willing to introduce a regional approach. Involving Cuba - isolated so many years - is an important step towards integrating the higher education on the island in a regional context. The Cuban Ministry of Higher Education is a partner in the project and is willing to promote a comprehensive introduction of higher education internationalisation in the country.To achieve concrete results and avoid opportunistic behaviours with uncertain long-term benefits, universities need to engage in a structured internationalisation process.FORINT aims to integrate the international dimension into the teaching, research and service functions of Cuban and Panamanian higher education system, and to strengthen the universities' capacities for education and research and improve their academic quality and standards. The project will use a comprehensive methodology directed at the target audiences of universities ( faculty, administrators and students), addressing a full spectrum of internationalisation objectives, including raising awareness, increasing the visibility of institutions within the region and establishment of international contact points in each partner university.Measurable results will be achieved during the lifetime of the project, visible as concrete international partnerships enabled by the partners’ participation in international and regional conferences.The outcomes of the projects will be turned into guidelines accessible to all institutions in the region willing to replicate the process. The FORINT portal will extend the impact of the project beyond its lifetime, facilitating international cooperation.