Laboratory Capacity Building for Industry 4.0

Project details

The purpose of the “Laboratory capacity building for Industry 4.0” project is to raise the quality of students’ education so that they develop the competencies needed to work in industry and be as ready as possible to easily get involved in practical projects of VET consortium member companies. To ensure this and at the same time respond to the above-mentioned needs of the economy, it will be necessary to equip and adapt VTI laboratories with modern equipment, but also to improve the competences of VTI teaching staff.
By achieving the main goals of the project, we expect the following results to be achieved:
• Students’ theoretical and practical knowledge will be improved, and additional skills will be developed for working in a real business environment.
• Trainees will learn how to properly use technical equipment and get familiar with new technologies which are relevant at the workplace, as well as acquire knowledge of work-related processes in Industry 4.0;
• The competences of the teaching staff will be improved with specific training, which is a prerequisite for better quality improvement of students’ competences.
• A new, modern laboratory for CNC machines and robots will be formed in the form of a training center, which will play a very important role in the process of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering education on bachelor and master study programs, which will create better conditions for students to learn and work on practical projects.
• The existing Laboratory for machines and materials as well as the Laboratory of advanced technologies will be modernized with new devices, equipment and tools. At the same time, the necessary networking of these laboratories with the newly formed CNC laboratory will be carried out in accordance with the real working conditions in the environment of Industry 4.0
The innovation that this project brings is the networking and integration of very important components such as CNC machines and collaborative robots into a unique information system, rare even for modern companies in Serbia. It is special that the integration is done not only at the level of CAD/CAM tools, but the Product Data Management system is assigned to the CAD/CAM/CAPP system.
In cooperation with partners from the economy, the necessary practical knowledge that students should acquire during learning through work will be defined, which will reduce the gap between the results of professional education and the needs of the labor market.

Vocational Training Providers

  • The Academy of Applied Technical and Preschool Studies Niš
  • Nis, Serbia
  • Academy for professional/vocational studies
  • Public

Partnering Enterprises

MING Kovačnica A.D.

  • Nis, Serbia

LMB Soft d.o.o.

  • Nis, Serbia

VOSSLOH MIN Skretnice d.o.o.

  • Nis, Serbia

Resor d.o.o. Gadžin Han

  • Nis, Serbia

Economic Sector(s)

  • Manufacturing of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment

Cooperative Training Programmes

Training approach

  • Cooperative (non-dual) vocational education and training

Key RCF investment

  • Advisory Support
  • Infrastructure
  • Machineries and Equipment
  • Teaching and Learning Materials
  • Training
  • Training Materials
Considering that RCF investments are in the initial phase, the expected benefits after the completion of the investments are: • Trainees are more motivated to learn because they learn through work, thereby acquiring practical and applicable competencies; • Learning becomes better because they better understand the application of theoretical knowledge in practice; • The quality of studies and the image of VTI are improved, which contributes to greater interest and better quality in the enrollment of students; • Future students become more motivated because they clearly see the possibilities of their future workplace; • VTI become more aware of the changes in the labor market and on the level of competencies required in the respected occupation; • VTI teachers remain up-to-date on technologies, processes and methods applied in the world of work. By exchanging knowledge and experience, especially with in-company trainers, they improve and innovate the curricula of their subjects and teaching materials; • Innovative teaching content will be based on experiences from companies and will contribute to directly respond to the requirements of companies in terms of qualified labor force, thus making it easier for trained trainees to be employed; • Trainees are trained in VTI but also in companies where they work with their machines, equipment and tools, which reduces the use of VTI resources, primarily in terms of people, materials and energy, but also others.

We are great at

  • Digitalization of training/skills (application of technology/VR/AR/AI, application of apps in training, online learning platforms, etc.)
  • Gender-inclusive appraoch (ensuring a quote of female apprentices attending the CT)
  • Other
Digitalization of training/skills: A special program designed to work with the most successful students has been bringing excellent results for years, making the department in Niš recognizable not only in Serbia, but also in the entire region and beyond. Thanks to the Samsung laboratory, students and their professors developed the first domestic applications for Samsung Smart TVs, smart watches and mobile phones. These talented young experts will continue to work on developing innovative content in the future. So far, the Samsung laboratory has created more than a dozen mobile applications, a large number of thematic solutions and a significant number of applications for Samsung Smart TVs. The VTŠ Apps Team was founded in 2011 within the Samsung Apps laboratory. The team was formed with the aim of students gaining practical knowledge and experience through work in the laboratory, thus better preparing them for their future careers in the profession. VTŠ Apps Team, led by faculty with extensive industry experience, collaborates with students to develop and advance their knowledge in the following areas: Programming (web programming, mobile applications, smart TV applications, blockchain, AI and machine learning, gaming, VR), Design (UI, UX), Entrepreneurship. This team has achieved numerous significant results, including: Won first places in dozens of student competitions More than 20 smart TV applications created, Over 10 successful mobile applications, Numerous web and mobile applications that facilitate the daily work of Academy employees. Links to promo videos: Gender-inclusive approach: The Women’s Entrepreneurship Program was launched with the aim of encouraging female students to start their own businesses after graduation. The equipment available at VTU is used to produce various products that can be sold on the market. Through these activities, female students use the practical knowledge they gain during their studies, get different ideas, research the market and user needs, and acquire entrepreneurial skills. This promotes gender equality and encourages the participation of women in traditionally male fields. The team consists of female professors and students. This team has so far supported more than ten events in the Niš region with its products. Information about this activity can be found on the website https://odseknis.akademijanis.edu.rs/zensko-preduzetnistvo-atvss/ Trainings for employees and students for additional skills and knowledge: VTU teachers have developed and conduct various training courses for employees and students to acquire additional skills and knowledge with the aim of improving their competencies. SolidWorks training for CSWA certification (80 participants) AutoCAD training (15 participants) MikroTik Certified Network Associate (MTCNA) industrial certification training Forklift operation and safety training (400 participants) Working and construction machinery operation and safety training CNC operator and programmer training (20 participants) External evaluation of employees in the field of measurement technology and CNC operators (30 participants)

We formed our partnership by

Contact us for more information

Vocational Training Provider

The Academy of Applied Technical and Preschool Studies Niš

About US

The VTI has been established in 2019, integrating three already existing HEI: College of Applied Technical Studies Nis, College of Applied Vocational Studies study Vranje, and College of Vocational Studies for the Education of Teachers Pirot. A total of 91 teachers teach at VTI. The main activity of the Academy is the education of students in bachelor, specialist and master vocational studies in the technical-technological and social-humanistic fields.

  • Second Call Awardee
  • Serbia

Location

  • Nis, Serbia

Education and profiles offered:

Niš Department educate student in six bachelor study programs: 1. Industrial Engineering with module of dual studies, 2. Road Traffic 3. Architecture 4. Computer-communication Technologies and Systems 5. Civil Engineering 6. Environmental Protection And five master study programs: 1. Production and information technology 2. Road traffic and transport 3. Waste management 4. Information technology and systems 5. Building construction and construction management

Number of students

  • 2158

Type of VTI:

  • Academy for professional/vocational studies
  • Public

Enterprises

MING Kovačnica A.D.

  • Manufacturing of transport equipment

Product/Services

Production, engineering, forging and machining for the railway, agricultural, mining and hydraulic industries

  • Second Call Awardee
  • Serbia

Location

  • Nis, Serbia

LBM Soft d.o.o.

  • Manufacturing of electrical equipment, computer, electronic and optical products

Product/Services

Medical and laboratory equipment and devices in the field of transfusiology

  • Second Call Awardee
  • Serbia

Location

  • Nis, Serbia

VOSSLOH MIN Skretnice d.o.o.

  • Manufacturing of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment

Product/Services

Railway infrastructure: turnouts and crossings, manganese frogs, switch blade, switch actuators and locking devices

  • Second Call Awardee
  • Serbia

Location

  • Serbia

RESOR d.o.o. Gadžin Han

  • Manufacturing of machinery and equipment, except electrical equipment

Product/Services

Special upgrades of municipal vehicles, hydromechanical equipment, metal containers for garbage disposal

  • Second Call Awardee
  • Serbia

Location

  • Serbia
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