FRIEND-NOW Consortium Meeting at Cyprus University of Technology: Shaping the Future of Telecommunications Engineering Education

The primary objective of the meeting was to conclude the design of the programme and deliver key outputs. Productive discussions throughout the week led to the establishment of a flexible, industry-oriented curriculum, including microcredentials, a defined mobility pathway, and a semester-long internship. The integration of European values and durable skills ensures a comprehensive academic experience for students.

The industry and student surveys launched by FRIEND-NOW played a pivotal role in validating the programme structure. These surveys were extended to maximize the insights obtained, ensuring the alignment of the programme with both academic and industry needs.

Three deliverables have been drafted, with one scheduled for submission following the meeting, marking a significant milestone in advancing the development of the programme.
 

Interested parties are encouraged to participate in the ongoing survey:

• Take the Survey: https://forms.office.com/e/8GftF89e2v

The FRIEND-NOW consortium is composed of five universities from the EUT+ alliance:

• Université de Technologie de Troyes (UTT)
• Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
• Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT)
• Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (TUCN)
• Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)

This collaboration is coordinated by the Université de Technologie de Troyes, and aims to address the gaps in engineering education by incorporating cutting-edge specializations in AI, IoT, signal processing, and cybersecurity, while also emphasizing ethics, sustainability, and multi-disciplinary learning.

The multi-campus learning experience allows students to tailor their studies across several partner universities, strengthening their global perspective and gaining insights from diverse academic environments. By promoting a multicultural and interdisciplinary approach, the FRIEND-NOW programme offers a unique opportunity for students to grow as global engineers.
 

Participants at the Cyprus meeting included:

• Dr. Virgil Dobrota, Professor, Head of Communications Department, TUCN
• Dr. Michalis Michaelides, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering & Informatics, CUT
• Dr. Rafael Asorey-Cacheda, Director of the Chair “Jerónimo de Ayanz”, UPCT
• Dr. Paul Stacey, Head of Mechatronic Engineering, TU Dublin
• Eleanor Asprey, EUT+ Project Coordinator
• Antonis Christoforou, BSc Computer Software Engineering student, EUT+ Student Board, CUT
• Dr. Lambros Lambrinos, Associate Professor, Communication & Internet Studies, CUT
• Dr. Atiq Ahmed, Associate Professor in Networks and Telecom, UTT Troyes (online participation)

The FRIEND-NOW programme is committed to preparing future engineers with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving digital world. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, it provides students with the tools needed to succeed in the rapidly changing telecommunications landscape.
 

About the FRIEND-NOW Project

The FRIEND-NOW project is part of the EUT+ Erasmus Mundus Design Measures initiative, designed to create a Joint European Master’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering that combines academic rigor with practical industry experience. This project represents a unique collaboration among leading European universities and industry partners, aiming to produce the next generation of highly skilled engineers in the fields of telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies.