DREAMER

Bratislava, Slovakia — October 1, 2024

The Erasmus+ program has launched the “Development and Reconstruction Empowerment through Advanced Project Management Education and Research” (DREAMER) project, a bold initiative aimed at revolutionizing project management education in Europe while supporting Ukraine’s post-war rebuilding efforts. With a grant of €400,000, this three-year project (2024-2027) unites leading universities across Europe and Ukraine to tackle critical global challenges in education, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

Project Overview

The DREAMER project, led by the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA), in collaboration with partner institutions from Romania, Poland, Ireland, Croatia, and Ukraine, focuses on addressing the pressing shortage of skilled project managers. This shortage threatens global and European economic stability, especially in critical sectors like clean energy and digital innovation.

The project introduces an innovative 32 ECTS project management curriculum tailored for students in construction, engineering, and business fields. The curriculum integrates practical applications, such as the use of digital tools like Primavera, and emphasizes sustainable and green practices to prepare students for complex, real-world challenges.

Key Objectives

• Educational Innovation: Develop cutting-edge, interdisciplinary project management programs to equip students with vital digital and green skills.
• Ukraine’s Rebuilding: Tailor programs to address Ukraine’s reconstruction needs, fostering a skilled workforce to manage development and recovery projects.
• Global Collaboration: Enhance international cooperation among higher education institutions, promoting knowledge exchange and joint research initiatives.
• Sustainability and Digital Readiness: Focus on integrating environmentally sustainable practices and digital transformation into project management education.

Partner Institutions

The DREAMER project brings together:

• Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (Slovakia)
• Universitatea Națională de Știință și Tehnologie POLITEHNICA București (Romania)
• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine)
• Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (Ukraine)
• Akademia Leona Koźmińskiego (Poland)
• South East Technological University (Ireland)
• Zagreb School of Economics and Management (Croatia)

And Associated Partner

• Oracle Academy Croatia (Croatia)

Activities and Impact

Key activities include intensive training for educators, piloting of innovative curricula, and hosting international workshops and conferences. The project also aims to create open-access educational materials, a “pedagogical guide” for diverse learning contexts, and digital tools to enhance teaching and learning.

Expected outcomes include increased student employability, strengthened academic collaboration across Europe, and a critical contribution to rebuilding Ukraine through education. Over 100 war-affected students in Ukraine will benefit from targeted training programs, ensuring inclusion and support for displaced individuals.

Strategic Importance

The DREAMER project aligns with Erasmus+ priorities by supporting higher education institutions in cooperation with Ukrainian counterparts, fostering innovative teaching practices, and addressing climate change and digital transformation challenges.

This transformative project is poised to set new standards in project management education, creating a ripple effect of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration across Europe and beyond.