The University of Nis has strenghted constantly study programmes in order to promote and involve variety of topics within EU studies in study programmes offered by its faculties. Until now, the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Nis (FCEA) has promoted EU studies in its study programmes at the undergraduate, master and doctoral level and by introducing study programmes in line with EU trends as a part of Erasmus+ CBHE KA2 projects.

The need for enhanced and comprehensive dealing with the topic of water resources management (WRM) is caused by the facts that the global environmental challenges become more pressing due to climate change and population growth. Water as the basic resource incorporated into functioning of different sectors requires innovative, interdisciplinary, structural, and trans-boundary approach – strong coordination and cooperation across countries and across sectors. WRM is based on preventive and precautionary actions and hence is a major focus of EU Strategy 2020, General Union environment action programme to 2020, Strategic plan 2016-2020 for environment, and EU Water Framework Directive.

Education has a crucial role in the integration process of candidate countries such as the Republic of Serbia and other countries from Western Balkans. Early identification of all aspects of WRM will allow the national experts more time in preparing Serbia’s position in the transitional period. It requires strengthening of knowledge base and scientific domain dealing with WRM by introducing advanced courses promoting EU WRM regulatory environment. According to the Indicative Strategy Paper for Serbia (2014-2020), “Serbia should do further substantial efforts in the areas of water management and wastewater treatment”.

Therefore, the key and strategic objective of INNOWAT Module is to strengthen teaching in European integration studies at the University of Nis by (i) applying novel methodology of teaching and learning tailored to the needs of advanced-level undergraduate students and students enrolled at the master studies at the FCEA, as well as students from different study programs, young professionals from water sector, policy-makers and general public with sufficient level of knowledge in WRM and by (ii) promoting research in this specific field of EU studies conducive to the development of new innovative and interdisciplinary solutions in the water sector and encouraging young researchers to involve in research.  

Specific objectives are:

• to contribute to better academic and media coverage of EU water policy, regulations, standards and best practices in interdisciplinary studies of EU water governance,
• to strengthen the quality of research by providing opportunity to young scholars to expose topics on new EU WRM issues by promoting their research at national and international level and create academic network for further research and publishing papers in national/international peer reviewed journals,
• to support students in their career prospects by providing innovative knowledge and EU best and sustainable practices in WRM through new and unique teaching courses supported by the foreign expert who will deal with specific EU subject more in-depth in innovative manner and enable young teachers to acquire necessary experience to incorporate proposed course, teaching materials and methodology in current study programmes or to create new ones.

Contributing to achievement of the leading principles of the Strategy for quality assurance of the FCEA, the Module adds academic value by

• boosting and promoting the idea of European integration, interdisciplinary methodologies, and Europeanization of so far non EU related studies,
• creating scientific base in WRM of study for scholars and young researchers at FCEA,
• promoting new teaching methods (blended learning, flipped classroom, student-led seminar, study visit, thematic workshop, debate),
• using virtual e-learning platform (Moodle),

strengthening transversal competencies such as communication and team work essential for experts in the water sector.