CROATIA: New mechatronics centre of excellence

Croatian businesses are to be helped by a new mechatronics centre of excellence, established by Britain's University of the West of England in Bristol, two Croatian technical schools and funding from the European Union.

With a EUR435,000 (US$652,000) technical assistance grant from the EU's CARDS 2004 programme, the university is supporting the new centre in Karlovac, near the capital Zagreb, with curriculum, delivery, and staffing advice. The centre will offer technical courses and lead collaborative research projects related to Karlovac's local industries which centre mainly around brewing beer and electricity generation.

The city suffered much war damage during the civil war that wracked the former Yugoslavia and gave rise to independent Croatia. The centre's goal is to transfer high technology and industrial expertise into local businesses: the courses will provide more trained engineering professionals for the workplace, and technical research projects will help make industries more efficient and competitive in preparation for Croatia's looming accession into the EU, which could be approved next year.

"The centre will support regional learning and demand-driven innovation in education and training, and better equip the local manufacturing industry to respond to the changing needs of the Croatian and global economy," said a project communiqué.

Students will be placed in apprenticeships in their fields, providing hands-on experience in mechanical, electrical and software engineering while supporting local industries with newly trained, modern professionals.

The centre will be hosted by Polytechnic of Karlovac and the Technical School of Karlovac. Courses will be offered at undergraduate and postgraduate level through the Polytechnic of Karlovac.