BLENDED-IDEA - Blended Learning Environments for Nepal's Dynamic Energy Development using an Interactive Distance Education Approach

"The objective of ""Blended Learning Environments for Nepal's Dynamic Energy Development using an Interactive Distance Education Approach – BLENDED-IDEA"" is to provide Nepalese Universities with the capacity to offer part-time Distance Education in a Blended Learning (BL) format. The innovative teaching and learning formats will lead to scale-up the green energy workforce in Nepal via (1) improved access and inclusion to higher education, (2) increased quality of the curricula, (3) degree programme integrated job-relevant modules of the green energy sector and (4) the newly established offer of certificate courses for professionals. The need to expand access to HEIs for underprivileged and vulnerable students from rural areas will be met by part-time offers in a BL format allowing students to study from home or partly work for their income. Therefore, intense capacity building of teachers and academic staff in part-time BL methods and how to use and adapt open access templates for their own purposes will take place.The quality of the curricula of the traditional but acknowledged Mechanical and Electrical Engineering degrees will be increased by integration of new BL elective modules from the field of green energy. The labour-market relevant modules will be developed together with the business sector. The digital transformation of the engineering faculties will be enhanced through availability of an of-fline-capable, low-threshold mobile learning application (FlexStudy App) compatible with the device fleet used in Nepal.Employability and skill-readiness of current and future employees in the green energy sector will be strengthened by offering the modern job-relevant certificate course format for professionals in the field of renewable energies. Nepal needs skilled engineers for green energy and BLENDED-IDEA will open up possibilities for new student groups by developing connectivity solutions through distance learning and teaching innova-tions."