Introduction of the concept of an international mining programme in the educational environment of Central Europe

As an answer to the diminishing number of candidates formining programmes in many European countries and the continuous industry demand for highly qualified university graduates the concept of joined curriculum mining programmes was developed. The basic idea consisted of the establishment of educational networks, within which the students move, choose educational modules, take the required examinations, prepare their thesis and obtain the graduate engineer degree at one of the universities integrated in the network. An approved precursor for this structure was the European Mining Course (EMC). Later two other programmes have been added - European Geotechnical and Environmental Course was the last to join this structure. Development of an international joined curriculum and launching the programme is a difficult and complex process. It requires consensus among the partners in developing the optimum curriculum regarding expertise of the partners, programme requirements as well as industry suggestions, available facilities, possible technical trips, travel distances and costs. However the major obstacles in successful launching and running international joined curriculum programmes are administrative barriers at university level as well as national legal regulations. Running the programme is a continuous improvement process. Keeping up to high quality standards requires monitoring the students', teachers' and coordinators' feedback. Is this high effort worthwhile?

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Niniejszy artykuł przedstawia proces opracowania Europejskiego Kursu Geotechniki i Ochrony Środowiska przez 5 uniwersytetów w Niemczech, na Słowacji, na Węgrzech i w Polsce. Zagrożenia i możliwości środowiska edukacyjnego w Europie Środkowej pokazano jako tło sytuacji. Omówiono problemy i napotkane wyzwania, wyciągnięte wnioski i odniesione sukcesy. Zaprezentowano niektóre praktyczne aspekty, takie jak treść kursów i metody nauczania, procedury administracyjne, współpraca między uniwersytetami partnerskimi i górnictwem.