University Studies of Agricultural Engineering in Europe; a Thematic Network

Dear Sirs,

For the last three years the Thematic Network entitled University Studies of Agricultural Engineering in Europe (USAEE – TN) composed of 31 partner Universities from 27 European countries and funded by DG Education and Culture, worked towards the restructuring of the University Studies of Agricultural/ Biosystems Engineering in Europe through the development of a basic core curriculum in Agricultural Engineering that could be:

• Recognized by FEANI (European Federation of National Engineering Associations) as fulfilling the minima criteria of an Engineering program of studies and
• Supported by EurAgEng (European Society of Agricultural Engineers) as meeting the basic-fundamental knowledge of Agricultural/Biological sciences of the corresponding subjects

As the weak part of the current Agricultural Engineering studies in Europe is the inadequate engineering foundation of the corresponding curricula, USAEE has focused on:

• Enhancing the Engineering part of the European core curricula in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
• Optimising the Agricultural/Biological Sciences part of the European core curricula in Agricultural/Bio systems Engineering so as to meet the basic-fundamental knowledge of the corresponding subjects without extending to, or competing against, or overlapping with the classical Agronomy programs of studies.

We are pleased to inform you that the USAEE thematic network project has met its main objectives:

• Define and develop a European dimension within the academic discipline of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
• Define the core curricula to be used as benchmarks for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering studies in Europe
• Define common accreditation/recognition strategies and procedures to carry out the accreditation in cooperation with a European Accreditation body under development for accrediting Engineering programs of studies in Europe and in cooperation with the European Society of Agricultural Engineers for recognition of the programs of studies that comply with the proposed core curriculum.

This academic year 2005-2006 is a dissemination year for the Thematic Network. We would like to invite you to join our effort in promoting the aforementioned output. The major output of this mutual effort is the well established need to switch from the traditional Agricultural Engineering with a weak Engineering background to restructured Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering programs of studies with strong Engineering background.
In the near future a transition to Biosystems Engineers with unique quantitative knowledge about biological systems and processes and strong Engineering background will allow them to be involved in issues concerning human health and welfare which will undoubtedly be a central theme in our societies. They could also broaden their presence in society by being involved in issues of major importance like biomedical engineering, regenerative medicine, innovative materials and biomaterials, bio-mechatronics, bio-fuels and alternative energy sources, functional food (e.g. nutraceuticals) and other. The new era of European Agricultural Engineers and the emerging era of the Biosystems Engineers could put themselves in a strong position driven by this unique knowledge.
Based on the experience gained during the USAEE-TN activities this transition will require:

• Deep re-structuring of courses leading eventually to new course contents and different pedagogical organization
• Changes in students enrolment
• New professional outcomes
• Development of new policies and decision making tools so as to manage this new development

We therefore kindly request your support so as to efficiently manage this transition through a broad dissemination of the material produced during the three years of the USAEE Thematic Network. The concise dissemination material (leaflets) will be sent to you electronically through the corresponding partner University of your country. All publications produced during this project in the form of conference proceedings may be downloaded from http://www.eurageng.net/usaee-tn.htm
Thank you very much for your kind support.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. D. Briassoulis
USAEE – TN Coordinator