Project Description

Aim and Objectives: The main aim of this project is the development of the ReProTool software [1,2], which will support the amongst other methodologies, the Tuning Methodology [3,4] and will automate various tasks that are currently performed manually. The Tuning Methodology is widely used in Europe for the re-engineering of university programmes of study using the European Credits Transfer System (ECTS). The Bologna process [5,6] requires that all European Universities adopt ECTS and reengineer their programmes based on ECTS. This is a very demanding task and very few Universities in Europe have managed to obtain the ECTS label. In Cyprus, only one of the seven Universities holds the label.

Proposed Methodology Plan and Implementation Activities: The project, being a software engineering project, will follow the software lifecycle stages, namely, Identification of User and thus System Requirements, System Analysis and Design, Implementation and Development, Testing and Maintenance. The identification of the system requirements will be done through interviews with Bologna Experts and ECTS Label Evaluators/Trainers (PA1, IR), the Cyprus Bologna experts, as well as academicians in Cyprus who have used the methodology or have undergone through the process of ECTS re-engineering of programmes. Furthermore, the methodology itself will be thoroughly studied. The System Analysis and Design phase will be based on the previous stage and will result in the functionality, graphical user interface and database design of the ReProTool. The tool will then be developed and implemented based on the design. During this stage due consideration will be given to the development platform and system architecture. The developed tool will be thoroughly tested by the Bologna Experts and ECTS Label Evaluators/Trainers (PA1, IR), and the Cyprus Bologna experts. Based on the feedback changes/improvements/corrections will be made. Finally, a pilot use of the tool will be carried out at University of Nicosia by faculty and students who have already applied manually the methodology. Their feedback will be received and analysed resulting in final changes/enhancements to the tool.

Anticipated Results and Benefits: The ECTS process and the supporting methodologies are quite complex and complicated, requiring the involvement of all education stakeholders (faculty, students, industry, etc.). The lack of a software tool to support the available methodologies and the involved stakeholders makes the process even more complex, laborious and difficult to complete. This project will develop such tool. The availability of a free software tool will therefore simplify the process and help all Universities, especially in Cyprus, in their effort to obtain the ECTS label and help our country towards the full implementation of the Bologna Process directives. This is currently a very important strategic aim of the government of Cyprus and the Ministry of Education and Culture since the harmonization of all our processes with the European Union is of at most importance and one-way road.