CALL FOR APPLICANTS
Course Mode Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
Course Title Towards a sustainable water management
Bachelor´s or Master´s degree students with technical training who wish to
Admission Profile
acquire a specialization or updated practical training in water management
Hosting Institution University of Extremadura (UEx, Spain)
Organizer Institution:
University of Extremadura (UEx, Spain)
Co-organizers Institutions:
University of Evora (UE, Portugal)
University of Gävle (HiG, Sweden)
University of Oradea (UO, Romania)
Participant Institutions
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWR, Poland)
Partners Institutions:
University of Angers (UA, France)
Atlantic Technological University (ATU, Ireland)
Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg (OVG, Germany)
University of Parma (UNIPR, Italy)
The numbers of participants agreed by the program partners are the following:
- University of Angers 3 students
- Atlantic Technological University 3 students
- University of Evora 3 students
- University of Gävle 3 students
- Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg 3 students
Total number of participants
- University of Parma 3 students
per institution:
- University of Oradea 3 students
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences 3 students
- University of Extremadura 3 students
Note: The BlP is open to a maximum of 27 participants. In case one of the above
Universities should have less students than the maximum allowed, the places left will be
made available to other universities in order to reach the planned number of participants.
Number of ECTS 6
Language of the Programme English
Teaching Hours in Presence
66%
Mode
Teaching Hours in Virtual
34%
Mode
Start and End Date of the 5th - 9th Jun 2023 Campus Virtual (UEx)
th th
Place
Virtual Part 19 – 27 Jun 2023 https://campusvirtual.unex.es/portal/
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Start and End Date of the in- 12nd - 17th Jun
Place Faculty of Sciences (UEx, campus BA)
Presence Part 2023
Introduction
The University of Extremadura jointly with the University of Evora, the University of Gävle, the University of
Oradea and the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, offer their students the opportunity to
participate in a Blended Intensive Program. The Blended Intensive Program is officially approved by the EU in the
framework of the ERAMSUS+ 2021/2027 and is developed in the framework of the EU GREEN Alliance.
BIPs are one of the new and innovative formats of student mobility introduced by the new Erasmus+ 2021-2027
Program. These programs, jointly developed by multiple higher education institutions, feature advanced and
innovative pedagogical approaches that combine short-term face-to-face (physical) mobilities with virtual learning.
BIPs are inherently transnational and transdisciplinary, as curricula are developed and taught together by partner
institutions in different countries. The combination of in-person and virtual learning spaces allows students and
professors to experience and exchange highly collaborative, challenge-based, and research-steeped methods of
teaching and learning.
Summary
Availability of water of adequate quality to meet environmental, economic, and human needs requires active water
resources management. Today, water management faces major challenges such as climate change and the effects
of human activities of an ever-growing population. To best meet these challenges, knowledge of all aspects of water
management are required. In this context, this course focuses on three particular aspects of water management
which represent three modules of study.
The course is divided into three modules whose learning outcomes are described as follows
Module 1.- Water interactions in agro-ecosystem
Learning outcomes
- Become familiar with the concepts of radiation balance and energy balance; air temperature and sensible
heat flux; air humidity and latent heat flux; wind and turbulent transport; diurnal variability of soil temperature
and meteorological parameters; dew and frost. Climate classification
- Become aware of the properties of soil that influence soil water balance and the distribution of water in
different types of soil in agricultural land, the effect of soil parameters on crop plants (soil salinity, water
deficit, drainage and irrigation)
- Become familiar with the role of microorganisms in the atmosphere, in plants and in soil
- Become familiar with water transport in plants and how the presence/absence of water influences plant
physiology and plant pathology
- Analyze soil water balance and flow; soil water distribution on agricultural land; soil salinity; water requirements
and their relation to crop productivity, irrigation deficit and water scarcity
- Assess water movement in plants, plant water status, photosynthesis and respiration, the intersection of
radiation and crop productivity, growth regulators, photoperiodism and vernalization; physiological response of
plants to the action of climatic factors, etc
- Know how climate and climatic factors affect the development of different crops
Module 2.- Water quality and ecosystem integrity, water pollution assessment
Learning outcomes
- Become familiar with aspects related to the grey water footprint and new types of water pollution
- Become familiar with environmental legislation on water quality at EU level
- Knowledge about WQI models and their importance as a tool to classify the water resources
- Be able to analyze some physical and chemical parameters in the laboratory to characterize surface waters
2
Module 3.- Water and wastewater treatment
Learning outcomes
- Become familiar with conventional and advanced processes in the treatment of drinking water
- Become familiar with conventional and advanced processes in the treatment of wastewater
- Become familiar with water desalination technologies
- Understand how Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) such as bioretention facilities, constructed stormwater wetlands,
and outfall retrofits may be used to capture and treat stormwater in urban areas
- Understand how to use stormwater as a resource to create resilient and livable cities
- Understand water reclamation and reuse technologies
Contents
Module 1 - Water interactions in agro-ecosystem (2 ECTS)
Number of hours (VT.- Virtual Theory, VP. - Virtual Practice, PT.- in Presence Theory, in Presence Practice) VT VP PT PP
1. Fundamentals of surface-atmosphere interactions and climate 2 2
- Lecture M1.1.1- Prof. Maria João Costa (UE)
- Lecture M1.1.2 - Prof. Miguel Potes (UE)
- Lecture M1.1.3 – Prof. Prof. Maria João Costa (UE)
- Lecture M1.1.4 - Prof. Miguel Potes (UE)
2. Fundamentals of plant-soil-water relationships. The role of microorganisms in these 3 1 2
processes
- Lectures M1.2.1-M1.2.5 - Prof. Sandra Wright (HiG)
- Practice M1.2 - Prof. Sandra Wright (HiG)
3. The role of microorganisms in the processes occurring in the soil. Impact of climate 3 3
change on crops.
- Lectures M1.3.1-M1.3.6 - Prof. Isabel Brito (UE)
Module 2 – Water quality and ecosystem integrity, water pollution assessment (1 ECTS)
1. New types of pollution: emerging contaminants, nanoparticles, microplastics, 2
antibiotic resistance bacteria and genes
- Lecture M2.1.1 – Prof. Juan Luis Acero (UEx)
- Lecture M2.1.2 –Prof. Ana Dordio (UE)
2. Water Framework Directive: ecological quality and ecosystem integrity 2
- Lecture M2.2.1 – Prof. Manuela Morais (UE)
- Lecture M2.2.2 – Prof. Helena Novais (UE)
3. Water quality standards and water quality index (WQI) 1
- Workshop M2.3 – Prof. Pedro Álvarez (UEx)
4. Determination of physical, chemical, and biological parameters in water
- Lecture M2.4.1-M2.4.2 (biological parameters). - Prof. Jonas Rönnander (HiG) 2
- Lab session M2.4 – Prof. Juan Fernando García, Prof. J. Luis Acero, Prof. F. 3
Javier Rivas, Prof. Pedro Álvarez (UEx)
Module 3 – Water and wastewater treatment (3 ECTS)
1. Drinking water treatment
- Lecture M3.1.1 – Prof. Juan Luis Acero (UEx) 1
- Lecture M3.1.2 – Prof. Pedro Álvarez (UEx) 1
- Workshop M3.1 – Prof. F. Javier Rivas (UEx) 2
- Lab session M3.1- Dr Ana Rey, Mr Miguel Ángel Jiménez (PhD student) (UEx) 2
3
- Field trip 1 – Visit to a water treatment plant – Prof. Juan Luis Acero; Prof. 2,5
Pedro Álvarez; Prof. J. Fernando García; Prof. F. Javier Rivas (UEx)
2. Wastewater treatment
- Lecture M3.2.1 – Prof. Ana Dordio (UE) 1
- Lecture M3.2.2 – Prof. Ana Paulo Pinto (UE) 1
- Lecture M3.2.3 – Prof. Alfredo Carvalho (UE) 1
- Workshop M3.2 – Prof. F. Javier Rivas (UEx) 2
- Lab session M3.2- Prof. Juan Luis Acero (UEx), Mr Juan Carlos Aldana (PhD 2
student),
- Field trip 1 – Visit to a wastewater treatment plant – Prof. Juan Luis Acero; Prof. 2,5
Pedro Álvarez; Prof. J. Fernando García; Prof. F. Javier Rivas (UEx)
3. Water desalination
- Lecture M3.3.1-M3.3.2.- Prof. Pantea Emilia (UO) 2
- Lecture M3.3.3-M3.3.4.- Solar desalination- Prof. Pedro Horta (UE) 2
4. Application of phytoremediation in wastewater treatment
- Lecture M3.4.1-M3.4.2 - Prof. Cristian Domuta (UO) 2
5. Storm-water collection and treatment:
Nature-Based Solutions for managing the quality and quantity of rainwater runoff
in urban areas
Planning and design of nature-based solutions in urban areas - analysis based
on selected case studies
- Lecture M3.5.1 - Prof. Ewa: Burszta-Adamiak (UPWr) 1
- Workshop M3.5 - Prof. Ewa: Burszta-Adamiak (UPWr) 2
6. Wastewater reclamation and reuse
- Lecture M3.6.1 – Prof. Pedro Álvarez (UEx) 1
- Lab session M3.6 – Dr Ana Rey, Dr Elena Rodríguez, Prof. Pedro Álvarez (UEx) 2
To apply for this program, students must be regularly enrolled at one of the
participating universities.
Participation to the program is open to students of any discipline connected with
contents related to the BIP.
At the time of the application submission, applicants must demonstrate proof of
Selection Criteria English language competence at the B1/B2 level. This can be certified by the
applicant’s home University (Level B2 will be a preferential criterion).
Selected students must communicate their acceptance or withdrawal within 5
days from the publication of the selection results by contacting their university
program coordinator. Selected students will be contacted with further instructions
upon completion of the selection procedures.
Students interested in participating should fill out the application form by 24th
MAY 2023, as well as insert the required documents in the link:
https://siiue.uevora.pt/
The application form must contain the following attachments:
How to Apply 1.- Copy of valid ID or passport
2.-Transcript of Records (A certificate of enrolment at the home University with a
list of passed exams and grades)
3.- Language certificate
4.- Motivation letter (containing, if any, experiences abroad)
Selection criteria and An appointed Committee formed by Prof. Raquel Pérez-Aloe, Prof. Pedro
procedures Modesto Álvarez (UEx), Prof. Manuela Morais (UE), Prof. Sandra Wright (HiG),
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Prof. Emilia Pantea (UO) and Prof. Ewa Burszta-Adamiak (UPWr) will carry out
the selection procedures. Selection is based on the following criteria:
- Academic performance
- Motivation
- English language competence
- Evaluation of further qualifications and skills
Students should expect to hear back about the result of their application by 24th MAY
2023. Selected students must communicate their acceptance or withdrawal within 5 days
from the publication of the selection results by contacting their university program
coordinator. Selected students will be contacted with further instructions upon completion of
the selection procedures.
The attendance of the Blended Intensive Programme may be covered by an
ERASMUS+ SMS Short Mobility Grant for all mobile students (excluding students
from the hosting University). This financial support may only be guaranteed by
the selected student’s home University. The University of origin of each selected
student is fully responsible for the management of the financial aspects of the
mobilities in accordance with the provisions of the competent ERASMUS+
Financial Support
National Agency.
No financial support is foreseen for University of Extremadura students as they
will not be travelling for the purposes of participation in this program (non-mobile
participants).
Please refer to your local coordinator or Erasmus/International Relations Office
for any further information related to the financial support made available
University of Extremadura (Coordinators)
Prof. Raquel Pérez-Aloe [email protected]
Prof. Pedro M. Álvarez [email protected]
University of Évora
Prof. Manuela Morais [email protected]
Contacts University of Gävle
Prof. Sandra Wrigth
[email protected] University of Oradea
Prof. Emilia Pantea [email protected]
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences
Prof. Ewa Burszta-Adamiak
[email protected] Exchange Student’s site, international guides (and planetUexguide) containing all
Additional information
the useful information to arrange their stay at UEx.
