What is the Centre?

Karlovac Polytechnic and the Technical School of Karlovac have been working with the University of the West of England, Bristol, to establish a Centre of Excellence in Mechatronics in Karlovac, Croatia. The University of the West of England (UWE) was awarded a Technical Assistance contract by the European Union CARDS2004 programme to develop and support the Mechatronics Centre. Mechatronics is the integration of Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic and Software engineering disciplines for the development of cost effective, reliable and flexible engineering systems. The Centre of Excellence in Mechatronics in Karlovac aims to provide an industry relevant facility equipped with appropriate tools, software and staff. Such a facility can participate with industry in ensuring that new and relevant enterprises are created that assure the sustainability of manufacturing and product development in this region. More over, a close research and knowledge based collaboration between industry and academia will provide opportunities for the staff and students of the academic institutes to experience at first hand the problems and challenges faced by industry. In turn the industry can benefit from the intellectual knowledge base residing in these institutes. The Centre will be hosted by the Polytechnic of Karlovac and the Technical School and is supported by the regional stakeholders including the relevant Ministries and regional promotion organizations.

Polytechnic of Karlovac staff. Prof. Darko Vyroubal (second from left), Mr Farid Dailami UWE project leader (fourth from right).

What does it do?

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. The Centre can offer a growing range of services to the regions industries with expertise in subject areas connected with Mechatronics, some mechanisms which can be accessed are consultancy, training courses, collaborative research, etc.At the core of the Mechatronics Centre is the educational provision provided by the Polytechnic and the Technical School in the form of recognized courses at the technical school level and degree and postgraduate standard at the Polytechnic. The Centres High Level Strategy calls for The Karlovac Mechatronic Centre of Excellence to be grouped into three entities with the aim of providing world class training, education, research and knowledge transfer in Mechatronics.

What is UWE's Role?

UWE is advising on course content, curricula and delivery methods as well as staffing and resourcing. UWE is also assisting in determining regional industry needs and helping the Centre to set up appropriate structures to respond to external demands. UWE has worked with the partners to develop a High Level Strategy for the Centre which establishes the mandate and sets up appropriate governance and sustainability.

Networks of regional and wider national and international stakeholders are being created to promote Karlovac as a learning region and sustain the Centre's integration into the fabric of the region's engineering sector. For example, UWE is currently working with the Croatian Ministries, the South West Regional Development Agency and UKTI to broker collaborative projects and international partnerships, and develop investment strategies that enable businesses to compete more effectively in international markets.