SEA EU Master:
TURQUOOOISE
Our adventure with Turquoooise is coming to an end...
… but it is not the end of our activities!
In January 2024 we officially closed the Turquooooise project, which aimed to lay the foundations for a SEA-EU Joint Master Degree in Sustainable Management of Organisations. The course will soon be launched – follow SEA-EU social media for updates.
At the end, we invite you to read a summary of our project.
See you soon!
Turquoooise Team
The Turquoooise Project: fostering internationalisation at the University of Cádiz
December 18th 2023 was the day in which the Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences presented the results of the Turquoooise Project, meant for the design of an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in the Sustainable Management of Organisations.
The members of the University of Cadiz, as well as its external stakeholders, were shown the results of the Turquoooise project and, with it, the design of the future Erasmus Mundus joint master in Sustainable Management of Organizations originated within the University of the Seas (SEA-EU). Two dissemination sessions were held, the first of which was addressed to the teaching staff of the University and stakeholders. The second was aimed at presenting the future master’s degree to the students of the University of Cádiz.
Both dissemination sessions were chaired by Prof. Fidel Echavarría, Delegate of the Rector for the European University of the Seas, accompanied by Prof. Pedro Araújo, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences and Prof. Lola Perea, Director of Educational Internationalisation of SEA-EU. The results of the project were presented by Prof. Candela Contero, Vice Dean of International Relations at the Faculty of Business and Economics and responsible for the Erasmus project for the UCA team, as well as the members of the UCA academic team that has participated in the project, Prof. Nieves Gómez, Prof. Francisco Javier Andrades, Prof. Jesús Barrena and Prof. Pedro Jesús Moreno.
The new Master’s Degree Programme has been jointly designed by 6 partner Universities of the European University of the Seas (University of Brest, University of Cádiz, University of Gdansk, University of Malta, University of Nord and University of Split) and it will mean a huge step towards the internationalisation of its teaching offer.
After the accreditation process that is now beginning, this Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in the Sustainable Management of Organisations is planned to begin in the 2025-2026 academic year with teaching staff from the 6 universities and rotating host universities.
Let’s Be Buddies!
A Collaborative Approach with the SEA-EU Student Council for Joint Programmes’ Buddy System
Engaging students not only in the events and education offered by SEA-EU but also involving them behind the scenes has always been a priority. As crucial stakeholders, the students on the SEA-EU Student Council play a vital role in shaping joint diplomas at SEA-EU level.
In the pursuit of developing the Turquoooise master’s degree, the Joint Programmes Working Group (JPWG) leader sought assistance from the Student Council to establish a buddy system for Turquoooise. Following an initial online meeting to outline the requirements, the student council diligently crafted a draft document. In early November, the JPWG leader convened a virtual meeting with two representatives from the Student Council, Hanna Pettersen (University of Nord, Norway), and Elena Calvo (University of Parthenope Naples, Italy), to discuss the draft document for the SEA-EU Buddy System.
They enthusiastically provided valuable advice and extensive feedback on the proposed Buddy System, focusing particularly on the role of mentors.
On November 29th, during SEA-EU Governing Week at the University of Split (Split, Croatia), the Student Council extended an invitation to the JPWG leader to join their meeting and present SEA-EU Joint Programmes, including Turquoooise. This offered an ideal opportunity to delve into the details of the buddy system, specifically outlining expectations for mentors.
Buddies or Mentors, it was decided, should provide orientation support, helping students familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. They should also offer academic assistance, guiding them on course structures, class selection, and managing study schedules, while providing tips on effective study habits and time management.
Student life on SEA-EU campuses isn’t just about work though. Buddies are entrusted with aiding new students in integrating into the university community by introducing them to social activities, clubs, and events, as well as offering emotional support when needed. The transition to university life in another country can be challenging, and having a buddy creates a vital peer support system.
Overall, the students concurred that a buddy system is an effective way to foster a sense of community, reduce feelings of isolation, and enhance the overall university experience for incoming students. The underlying goal is to create a supportive network for SEA-EU students as they embark on their academic journey.
It was mutually agreed that the Student Council will play a pivotal role not only in the conception stage but also in the rollout of the buddy system. Turquoooise thanks the JPWG and the SEA-EU Student Council for their help.
Turquoooise Project: Fostering Collaboration, Innovation, and Educational Excellence at the University of Gdańsk
Participation in the Turquoooise project for the University of Gdańsk is a significant opportunity to gain new experiences, establish numerous, often new contacts, and the possibility of collaborating with other European universities. Above all, it is a chance to create an interesting and innovative educational offering. Through involvement in the project, we have also managed to strengthen intra-university cooperation and engage with external stakeholders.
The beginnings are always challenging. For the first meeting organized by the University of Malta, we approached with great apprehension, wondering if we would manage linguistically and substantively. Needless to say, our concerns were unfounded, as the team established a rapport from the very beginning, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Our initial experiences were gained by participating in the preparation of the Erasmus Mundus Design Measures project proposal, as the University of Gdańsk had never submitted such an application before.
Subsequent meetings during the project revealed that despite the Bologna Process and European Union regulations on education, European universities differ significantly. Therefore, a detailed analysis of all procedures related to the creation, management, and organization of studies was necessary, leading to compromises. These actions provided an opportunity for intra-university dialogue and verification of some procedures applied at the University of Gdańsk, with the hope of influencing the quality of education for both new and existing programs.
Participation in the project and SEA-EU contributed to opening a discussion at the University of Gdańsk about the implementation of microcredits. In Poland, it is a completely new, not yet regulated form of education, which in the future may, firstly, replace some other forms of education, and secondly, it will become a way to obtain education in a way completely (or almost completely) planned by people who choose this way (both in terms of content and the time in which they will acquire education). The opportunity to observe how it is organized at our partners was and is a significant help for the University of Gdańsk in finding its solutions.
Cooperation with external stakeholders and their perspective on sustainable managers was also an interesting experience for the University of Gdańsk, especially during the Stakeholder Meeting. Some of the ideas were adapted to the study program and discussed during the Dissemination Event, and the program was received very well, even enthusiastically. Both the Stakeholder Meeting and the Dissemination Event allowed us to strengthen cooperation, compare business expectations with the University’s capabilities to implement them and expand the base of internships. It is also a lesson for us on how to build all-new programs in this way in the future.
Undoubtedly, one of the greatest added values of participation in the project is establishing collaboration with partner universities. This has translated not only into the creation of joint studies within the project but also into research and teaching activities. Contacts made led to the creation of additional joint Master’s studies – MIPMAL. Academic discussions about teaching have resulted in events such as the Faculty of Management’s Staff Week on “Sustainable Management in Joint Programmes,” attended by project partners. Discussions included topics like encouraging students to enroll and cultural heritage aspects in the study program. Faculty members also engage in scientific cooperation, which may lead to joint research in the future.
The collaboration between academics and administrators from partner universities is also an opportunity to learn about different cultures, customs, and the history of the locations where the universities are situated. Frequent online and face-to-face meetings foster closer, interpersonal connections. One thing is certain – the team is fantastic, and the atmosphere promotes work and overcoming all obstacles, even legal ones.
Personally, it was also an opportunity to overcome communication barriers in a foreign language, and improve language skills, especially in the field of higher education vocabulary. Beyond that, it has been an extraordinary adventure. I hope our future students will have similar feelings.
The Impact of a Joint Master’s Programme in Sustainable Management of Organisations, University of Split perspective
Participating in a Joint Master’s programme on the Sustainable Management of Organizations holds great importance for the Faculty of Economics, Business, and Tourism of the University of Split. In an era characterised by rapid global changes and a heightened awareness of environmental and social responsibilities, this programme aligns seamlessly with our Faculty’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and societal relevance.
Firstly, the programme addresses the pressing need for sustainable practices in organisational management, a topic of growing significance in contemporary business environments. By actively engaging in this joint initiative, our faculty aims to equip students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills essential for fostering environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable organisational practices.
Moreover, collaboration with other institutions fosters a diverse and enriching learning environment. A joint master’s programme facilitates cross-cultural exchanges, allowing our students to benefit from a broader perspective on sustainable management practices. This collaborative approach not only enhances the academic experience but also cultivates a global mindset among students, preparing them to navigate the challenges of an interconnected world.
Additionally, the programme’s interdisciplinary nature aligns with our Faculty’s commitment to holistic education. Sustainable management involves integrating economic, social, and environmental considerations—a paradigm that resonates with our faculty’s belief in providing a comprehensive educational experience. This approach not only produces well-rounded professionals but also contributes to a more sustainable and resilient future workforce and society as a whole.
Furthermore, participating in this joint master’s programme strengthens the faculty’s international standing and reputation, one of our key strategic values. By actively engaging in international collaborative efforts, our institution demonstrates its dedication to staying at the forefront of educational innovation and contributing to the global discourse on sustainable practices in organisational management.
As a result of all of the above, the Faculty of Economics, Business, and Tourism of the University of Split recognized the strategic importance of participating in this joint master’s programme and has been an active and constructive partner in the process of its design. This endeavour aligns with our commitment to academic excellence, international collaboration, and preparing students to be leaders in a world where sustainable practices are imperative for the future success of organisations and society at large. We thus are eager to finalise the project and welcome the first generation of students to this cutting-edge new study programme designed with our partners.
Catching Up On Turquoooise At The SEA-EU Staff Day at the University of Malta
UBO raises a glass to Turquoooise!
On November 30th, a lunchtime cocktail event was held at UBO to mark the end of the EMDM project. Both internal and external stakeholders were invited alongside students to raise a glass to Turquoooise. Many stakeholders who took part in the initial needs evaluation focus groups came along to see what we had done and were pleased to hear of our significant progress over two years of action and reflection.
The dean of the IAE in Brest, Marie-Noelle Chalaye, first explained our mission, and then our progress, before welcoming a round of questions from the audience. Finally, corks flew and champagne flowed to celebrate the achievements of the consortium.
A meeting of minds: Proof of European Added Value in the creation of the pilot joint master’s degree of the SEA-EU Alliance
November 2023 marks the second anniversary of the inception of the Turquoooise project.
In November 2021, an initial physical meeting in Malta led to the decision to craft and pitch an Erasmus Mundus Design Measure (EMDM) proposal. Fast forward to November 2023, when we are celebrating the end of a successful EMDM project with various dissemination events across the consortium. A lot of work has been done, and we are grateful for it.
We have learnt a lot about and from each other. It is clear that joint programmes lead to a more in-depth knowledge of how each university works. We have learnt how to solve problems caused by different approaches or administrative cultures, how to create a truly joint programme from A-Z, and, more importantly, how similar and complementary we all are.
The core team has always been very international and, for many, a case of a true meeting of minds. The members of the University of Malta (UM) and the University of Brest (UBO) have become firm colleagues in their co-leading of this project, and now have a very solid foundation for the work to come. The project management aspects have been co-led by Maria Grima Calleja (UM) and Kim Waechtler (UBO) from the very beginning and Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino (UM) was able to understand the vision put forward by Marie-Noëlle Chalaye (UBO) to co-create the Turquoooise approach alongside her and the other members of the academic team.
It is not just UM and UBO, though. All six consortium partners engaged in this particular joint degree exercise have added a lot to this project and vision. From the didactic flair and procedural expertise of Split, to the coordination of the joint programmes by Cadiz, from the administrative and quality talent of Gdansk, to the truly radical and dialogue-based approaches of Nord, we have all learnt a lot from each other and have truly become one unified academic team, behind the SEA-EU University banner. The experience has given us a glimpse into the exciting future of what SEA-EU could be, 10 years from now: a driver for vital, sustainable collaboration. Until then, we have created our ideal European University at programme level. Long may the teamwork continue!
In Gdansk, dreams come true!
A team of SEA-EU academics working on a joint master’s degree in the sustainable management of organisations (slogan: Turquoooise) had the pleasure of meeting in Gdansk for a final time before handing in their EMDM deliverables early in 2024. As ever, spirits were high and much hard work was done. Still, this time, with the end of the project in sight, the group was focused on finalising the project deliverables and getting ready to open up the master’s degree which now feels closer than ever.
Apart from working diligently on the deliverables, the hosts at the University of Gdansk (UG) School of Management took the time to familiarise the visitors with their Sopot campus, organised various workshops on diverse topics, scheduled a visit to the huge “Baltic Hub” and its busy container port, and spent time at the UG Centre for Sustainable Development, based on the main Campus in the city of Gdansk. What a busy week!
The team had the opportunity to discover the Tri-city of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot, and found out more about the fascinating culture and history of this area of Poland. The fresh layer of snow made the beauty of the tri-city area shine even more.
This was an inspiring visit and provided the team with another opportunity to talk through project details and also widen their knowledge and experience of the University of Gdansk: our valued SEA-EU and Turquoooise Partner.
Public Policy in Turquoooise
The development of the Master in Sustainable Management of Organisations is an initiative led by the University of Malta (UM) and funded by Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM) to support the design of high-level and integrated study programmes. It will be jointly offered by six partners of the SEA-EU alliance: the University of Cádiz (Spain), the University of Western Brittany (Brest, France), the University of Gdansk (Poland), the University of Split (Croatia), the University of Malta and Nord University (Bodø, Norway). All universities are coastal European universities.
The Department of Public Policy within the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at UM is the leading department within this highly inter-disciplinary postgraduate programme. The general foci of this Master’s programme are: Green & Sustainable Development; Blue Management & Leadership; and Blue Economy & Ocean Literacy. A policy dimension cuts across all these foci, and equips the Turquoooise manager to effectively manage organisations at a local, regional, national or supranational level.
Alongside other European partners, the Department of Public Policy is leading two of the taught study-units in this Master’s programme. These are The Political Economy of Maritime Cities and Regions; and Governance, Regulation and Compliance. The Department is also coordinating the research-based dissertation component within this Master’s programme.
The study-unit on the Political Economy of Maritime Cities and Regions enables an understanding of the intersection between politics and economics, including business lobbying, public consultation, negotiations and conflict resolutions. It maps out the relationships among stakeholders to ascertain sustainable development in the stewardship of green and blue economies. Moreover, it seeks to question and critically examine current economic models and explore alternative and more sustainable ones.
The study-unit on Governance, Regulation and Compliance is a crucial component of this Master’s programme as it provides comprehension of governance and regulatory frameworks, encompassing theories and best practices. It assesses effective compliance and risk management strategies in international settings, including sustainability reporting, carbon emissions regulations and environmental compliance. It considers the ethical dimensions of management and corporate social responsibility, emphasising sustainable business practices. Lastly, this study-unit analyses emerging trends such as the influence of technology (AI and blockchain) on regulatory processes and global crises responses.
Furthermore, academics from the Department of Public Policy will also be contributing their expertise in other study-units within this Master’s programme. For example, a study-unit on Human Nature will adopt a social psychology approach to understand the role played by social psychological variables (ex: connectedness to nature) in predicting human behaviour in nature/human-nature relations, as well as develop an understanding of social representations of nature. The Department is also contributing to a study-unit on Sustainable Human Resource Management, which considers strategies, practices and ethical considerations to foster sustainability within organisations, as well as promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.
Reflections on Joint Degrees in Europe: What Challenges await us? ECTS Recognition & Linguistic, Cultural, and Pedagogical Differences
The last few years in terms of higher education in Europe have been determinants for the transformation of universities. It is understood that they have put a lot of effort into mitigating and facing global needs and challenges, but they still need to go beyond traditional academic boundaries and old preconceived ideas about what higher education entails.
The European University of the Seas Alliance SEA-EU is fostering a new generation of people able to study and work in multiple sectors and academic disciplines in a transnational environment.
Six of the nine universities that constitute this multicampus are developing a pilot for the Master in Sustainable Management for Organisations – Turquoooise, an initiative inspired by the uncertain environment of the sea that aims to respond to the aspirations and strategic priorities of the European Union, also combine the trans-european expertise in management disciplines to equip students with the necessary skills to transition organisations to uncertain futures.
Even so, taking back the reflections that the implementation of these joint programmes brings, not only in a European context but also through an own perspective from the inside of the SEA-EU alliance, besides the administrative and financial issues, and the complex accreditation systems already addressed, there are other challenges that transnational alliances tend to face, such as the following:
ECTS Recognition
One of the most frequent issues in the academic field of the SEA-EU Alliance in general and which has currently been a challenge in the development of the Turquoooise initiative are the policies of automatic transfer and/or recognition of credits between institutions, since, thanks to the Bologna process and its declarations, there are some restrictions in terms of flexibility and dynamism on the method of equivalences and recognition of studies taken in other countries.
Not only equivalences of non-formal educational or practical experiences cannot receive automatic recognition between institutions, but also micro-credentials or extra-curricular activities are limited.
Although the learning outcomes are innovative and facilitate mobility among partner universities and participation in programmes across all disciplines, there are still issues to be addressed, such as the issuance of joint degree certificates, given that these micro-modules do not yet provide independent certificates, but the corresponding ECTS credits can be obtained by participating in them.
Linguistic, Cultural and Pedagogical Differences
Other aspects that can be challenging in terms of cooperation and internationalisation are the linguistic, cultural, and pedagogical differences since maximising learning outcomes and the success of Joint Degrees require a common commitment to promote wider cultural awareness to comprehend, work in, contribute to, and coexist successfully in multicultural, and multilingual academic environments.
The Turquoooise project, as well as the SEA-EU alliance as a whole, are profoundly based in European ideals; there is a rich cultural diversity in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity, and equality are fundamental. It is worth emphasising that, in terms of language, efficient use of English has been established as the primary channel of communication; nevertheless, it is also to promote multilingualism by encouraging respect for and knowledge of the partners’ native languages.
The real challenge for the SEA-EU alliance and its joint degrees is how to create programmes that generate impact and inspire the transformation of higher education in Europe. Ensuring success will depend on collaboration, early commitment, best practices, and harnessing all the strengths of the HEIs involved in these processes. Although there is a path to follow, these programmes undoubtedly have the potential and the innovative component to be a genuine reference on an international scale.
An event to celebrate the UM's efforts towards international joint master's degrees
Turquoooise is an ERASMUS+ funded EMDM project that will offer a Master’s degree in the Sustainable Management of Organisations, inspired by the uncertain environment of the sea, and that combines our trans-European expertise in management disciplines. MIPMAL will be a Master’s degree in Port Management and Logistics that encourages interest in ‘blue growth’ and related maritime and marine sectors, from operational (private sector), regulatory (public sector), and civil society perspectives.
This space was also key to learning about other initiatives in which the University of Malta has and is participating, where speakers such as Prof. Anna Khakee and Mr Christian Debono shared their experiences in joint programmes such as NOHA and FLOURISH, respectively, and how these have impacted and transformed higher education and society as a whole, and some stakeholders also spoke about the importance of these initiatives to face the challenges of today’s world.
The Office of the Academic Registrar was also present, and represented by Deputy Registrar Ms Jo-Anne Attard. She spoke about the steps to be taken in order to issue a dual degree, as well as the academic and administrative challenges that these bring with them. The Research Support Services Directorate, represented by Senior Manager, Ms Angie Mifsud, closed the event by giving an overview of funding available for joint master’s initiatives and other projects under the ERASMUS+ calls.
Reflections on Joint Degrees in Europe: What Challenges await us?
Adhoc Meeting, Administrative and Financial Matters & Accreditation
The administration offices within the Turquoooise consortium met on October 19 and 20 in Split, Croatia, to discuss critical agreements needed for future SEA-EU joint degrees. These two intense days of workshops have highlighted the great work being done behind the scenes by our administrative offices to roll out degrees and especially, joint degrees which are an objective of the European Commission and European Universities alliances.
Master in Sustainable Management of Organisations is an initiative funded by Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM) to support the design of high-level and integrated study programmes, which will be jointly offered by six partners of the alliance: name them Turquoooise project, a pilot Master’s programme led by the University of Malta and currently being run in partnership with five European universities that are also part of the European University of the Seas Alliance SEA-EU: the University of Cádiz (Spain), the University of Western Brittany (Brest, France), the University of Gdansk (Poland), the University of Split (Croatia), and Nord University (Bodø, Norway).
As is well known, joint degrees are the nucleus of our collaboration as an alliance, giving a tangible opportunity to students to experience the ‘inter-university’ European University Campus the European University alliances are presenting. However, these can reveal the subtleties and complexity of what initially appears to be a very simple concept but which, by its very nature, can become complex, and Turquoooise is no exception. Although it is a high-potential initiative composed of high-level academic and administrative staff, it has faced some difficulties and left some reflections, which are mentioned below:
Administrative and financial matters
One of the most interesting things about Turquoooise is to see how the Universities have worked to define the appropriate protocols and effective management practices that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the project; however, it is unavoidable to face some circumstances that in certain way could affect the performance of the project, such as the difficulties for the expert members to coincide in physical and virtual spaces for teamwork, the failure to achieve the schedules and deadlines, among other internal aspects of the Universities such as the difference between institutional procedures, which has caused difficulties for instance when estimating the general costs of the project such as tuition, teaching, participation fees, etc.
Accreditation
The accreditation processes may be affected by the strict requirements of some associated partners if they follow the national accreditation routes of their national countries, as there are no uniform accreditation standards in the European Union.
For Turquoooise, the accreditation procedures in each of the six universities were analysed one by one, and based on this, it was decided that the application for this process will be made through the French agency Hcéres, which uses the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes since the accreditation schedule would be more flexible as well as simplifying the administrative design of the Master’s programme.
After the project is completed, the European approach will begin; It can take up to eight months and requires a Self-Evaluation report to be submitted to a Review Panel, then a Site Visit is scheduled, and finally, the formal results and decision are given. While the process is being taken forward by the UBO partners, obstacles and opportunities are still being identified to smooth the right path towards a Joint Degree.
It should be noted that at Turquoooise we are aware of the conditions and challenges that these initiatives inevitably present; therefore, a judicious exercise of awareness and commitment is being made to counteract these challenges and transform them into significant opportunities.
Although the ‘design of the masters’ project ends on 31st of January 2024, this is only the end of the beginning: the Alliance’s combined efforts are laying the groundwork for this and other joint programmes. The year 2024 will be dedicated to work on the European Approach and the programme’s accreditation. The official launch of the first cohort of the EMJM is expected to be in October 2025.
A Busy Turquoooise Week: Two Meetings in Kiel
Representatives from Turquoooise were present at two events in the last week of September
Microcredentials and Joint programmes in Kiel
Representatives from each of the TURQUOOOISE Universities were at a dual-purpose meeting in Kiel over the last week of September. The first days were spent at a staff week, focused specifically on the topic of microcredentials, a key topic for Turquoooise, and the second part of the week was a meeting of the Joint Programmes Working Group (JPWG), an expert administrative group created to think through the administrative complexities of administrating the many SEA EU joint programmes being created.
Photo credit: SEA EU at Kiel University
The staff week in Kiel University on the subject of Microcredentials was very well attended. Their expertise on this subject, and the interest of the other SEA-EU partners was evident.
Microcredentials were very much the talk of the town in Kiel and have been the subject on everyone’s lips since before Turquoooise began.
Turquoooise is aiming to use the Microcredential format to include people who would not ordinarily be able or willing to take the full Master degree. These prospective students may take one or more Microcredential and may come from Industry or from outside – helping our Full-time students to foster an inclusive and open mindset.
There was a hopeful and can-do attitude at this, the first of all of the physical JPWG meetings since the beginning of SEA-EU. It was a great chance for the team to meet their counterparts, so often seen online, to discuss the ever more pressing administrative details, so important to the the creation of joint programmes.
The JPWG made great progress on essential topics such as grade conversion, administrative platforms and created new working groups to deal with each individual type of issue.
Photo credit: SEA-EU at Kiel University
Turquoooise: Transitioning into a new branding
Last June, the SEA-EU alliance presented its rebranding and communication strategy, which brought with it a visual change for the Turquoooise project.
The new identity of the consortium, which was carefully conceived, wanted to capture the very essence of what the Turquoooise sub-brand stands for through the new logo. Although at first glance it does not appear to be a drastic change, our graphic image is easily identifiable. The colour choice in the title is a direct visual representation of what the Turquoooise project means, green/blue, duality of the master’s title.
This rebranding also represents the expectations of the future programme. Our proximity to the sea means that we recognise the importance of a “blue-green” approach in the development of society and can allow us to now find answers to management issues in an ever more uncertain environment.
Behind the management model we wish to create—is also an acronym with the following meaning:
Transition to Uncertainty by Revising, Questioning, and Unsettling Objectives, Outcomes, and Operations Integrating Sustainability in Education
This creative process is just an initial glimpse into the exciting journey Turquoooise is embarking on. Its impact is not only limited to the aesthetic but it is hoped that this evolution will revitalise public perception in order to promote the future Master’s programme, whose ambition is to obtain Erasmus Mundus Joint Master status.
EAIE Conference in Rotterdam
Important date in the International Higher Education Calendar.
Whether distributed directly on the SEA-EU stand, or at the UBO Booth, the Turquoooise flyer allowed SEA-EU to show one of its many flagship projects off to a wider international audience. It also gave some members of the Turquoooise team a chance to meet in real life.
The EAIE was an ideal location to talk about this master’s to a wider international audience and was a great occasion to show off the new sister logo!
Much interest was shown in this Master project from partners across the globe – as witnessed by the number of flyers brought back – ZERO!
The EAIE gave us an opportunity to show off the new logo!
A Breakthrough Meeting in Cadiz
The MPDC Meeting in Cadiz (15-16 June) was very ably organised by Candela Contero Urgal and her team at UCA. With us being hosted at UCA’s El Olivillo – Centro de Transferencia building, the stage was set for a real ‘transformation’ of the TURQUOOOISE proposal.
Turquoooise Academics hard at work collaborating on learning outcomes
Many of the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle have now started falling into place. TURQUOOOISE has transitioned from an aspirational joint degree into one that is increasingly looking doable and attractive to our potential students.
The representatives of the six universities engaged in this project know each other well enough to be able to build on each other’s strengths and resources.
The end product is a set of interlocking micro-credentials, almost all of equal ECTS value, that build on the two columns – of management and sustainability – of the master’s programme.
The course has been set for our students who will set sail to complete the different programme learning outcomes (PLOs) over the various semesters.
Partners aim to develop competent but inquisitive graduates, eager for a change that is green but inspired by the uniquely blue/coastal urban reality that the SEA-EU Alliance brings to the table.
Master Programme Development Committee of TURQUOOOISE meets in Malta – 2nd & 3rd March 2023
Having started last November, the Turquoooise Project is well underway and progressing. Each university has now held focus groups with a wide range of stakeholders to identify the skills needed by future Turquoooise managers, to better cope with and lead the transition towards more sustainable management.
Eighteen academics from the University of Cadiz (Spain), the University of Western Brittany (Brest, France), the University of Malta, the University of Gdansk (Poland), the University of Split (Croatia) & Nord University (Bodo, Norway), met in Malta over 2 and 3 March to compare their findings and transform the skills into learning outcomes. This exercise will serve as the basis of the future programme structure for the new master’s programme.
The Malta meeting has been kindly hosted by Farsons, Malta’s oldest and largest locally-owned manufacturing concern, which brews beer as its core activity, but has expanded into soft drink manufacture, food services and importation. The company, soon to celebrate 100 years of operation, has a longstanding collaboration with the University of Malta, supporting research, particularly in industrial heritage. With its cutting-edge human resource management practices and drive towards sustainability, Farsons has been especially receptive and enthusiastic about the TURQUOOOISE endeavour. This was confirmed by Ms Antoinette Caruana, the HR Manager of the Farsons Group who kindly opened the meeting and addressed the participants on the first day.
Joint design is a key element in making this initiative a truly European Joint Master and these two days have been a perfect opportunity for academics to work together, debate and confront their views in a multicultural environment
Listening to our Stakeholders: Six Focus Groups, Six Countries, One list of skills
Representatives from each of the six universities engaged in the Turquoooise joint master’s degree initiative, Cadiz, Malta, Brest, Gdansk, Split and Nord, organised one or more focus groups with their respective stakeholders in order to co-construct a list of skills and competencies needed by the future Turquoooise manager.
The programme aims to help transition and transform businesses into co-creators of change, reconnecting business with nature
These meetings are a key feature of the Turquoooise adventure. They proved invaluable in getting together a range of stakeholders – public officers, captains of industry, NGO activists, current and past students – involved from the outset in crafting how to equip a manager committed and versed in sustainability.
This new Master degree seeks to use green and blue know-how and knowledge to impart managers and leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills and techniques to propel change and transition and transform businesses into co-creators of a new normal, that is kind to people, profit and planet. – Such a programme of studies has to find a willing and receptive audience inside the companies and organisations in our respective eco-systems.
This is why, from the very start, it was our plan to build the master’s programme inductively, from the ground up, listening to the needs and concerns of organisations while using our academic backgrounds to question the status quo.
Each university’s list of skills was compiled and then combined in order to generate a truly pan-European list of skills and competencies for our imminent Master degree . This rich database was the basis for stimulating conversations that have now started to build topics, themes and eventually study units, fleshing out the curriculum and methods of assessment and delivery of the new programme of studies
The TURQUOOOISE team meets alongside SEA-EU colleagues to discuss accreditation routes for their first and new joint Master programme
On January 19th, academics and technical staff from the universities of Western Brittany (France), Kiel (Germany), Gdansk (Poland), Split (Croatia), Malta (Malta) and Nord (Norway) met virtually to debate and discuss the accreditation process options for the new joint master’s study programme they are currently designing.
The meeting was a crucial step to better understand the legal frameworks around accreditation in each of the participating countries as well as identify the best route forward for the accreditation of the future master programme.
As the TURQUOOOISE Master has been chosen as a pilot for all future joint programmes to be designed by the SEA-EU alliance, the partners all agreed on the necessity to go through the European Approach in line with the European Commission recommendations for European Universities.
TURQUOOOISE Team Zoom – to find accreditation solutions!
Erasmus Mundus Design Measures Kick-Off Meeting – 17 & 18 November – Brest
It was at the start of November that things officially started for TURQUOOOISE: the SEA-EU Master pilot project and to properly launch, the Academic and Admin teams met in Brest for the official Kick-Off Meeting on the 17th and 18th of November 2022.
Indeed, after getting the fabulous news in August 2022 that the application for Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM) funding was successful, getting an incredible score of 97/100, the Kick-off Meeting was planned. The event, co-led by Malta and Brest, was intense with two full days of meetings with a meaty agenda.
Team TURQUOOOISE
The inspiration for the micro-credential structure
– the “croquembouche”
Team event – crêpe making
The team were delighted to have representatives from all universities represented in the proposal, but even more pleased to be joined by Nord University and Kiel University, with a view to perhaps joining Team TURQUOOOISE.
The discussions were fruitful and wide-ranging, with much talk of deliverables and strategies, but also broader talk, speaking to academic content & stakeholder meetings, the structure of the future degree, as well as accreditation mechanisms, were also on the table.
The degree aims to base the concept of the TURQUOOOISE manager on competencies co-defined with stakeholders during the first period of this 15-Month Project. Collaboration with stakeholders will ensure that the skills of TURQUOOOISE graduates are applicable to real-world situations, whilst remaining innovative and agile in finding solutions for organisations and for the planet.
The Academic and Admin team working on the project also had some time to build their team spirit during the crêpe-making workshop on Thursday 17th November in the Evening, as well as over lunches, even enjoying a “croquembouche”, the dessert inspiration behind the innovative micro-credential structure of the degree.
Team TURQUOOOISE have a lot to accomplish over the next 15 months to get the Master degree into the real world, but the Kick-Off Meeting was a confident start allowing us to embark on the rest of the journey with vim and vigour! Vive Team TURQUOOOISE!