Abstract:

The Erasmus Mundus Master on Computer VIsion and RoBOTics (VIBOT) is a common European Course organized by the Vision and Robotics European Consortium constituted by the University of Burgundy-Centre Condorcet Le Creusot (France – coordinator), University of Girona (Spain) and Heriot-Watt University (Great-Britain). The key cognate areas are computer vision and robotics with the aim to meet the present needs of industry for quality control and automation of industrial processes as well in the field of health with the increasing importance of medical imagery in all its forms. Current research in these domains is particularly dynamic and finds fast outlets in the industrial world where needs are growing and companies’ executives are increasingly opened to implementing artificial vision solutions to improve both quality and productivity.
The paper initially presents an overview of the master and the main objectives and actions of Erasmus Mundus programme, making emphasis in the current Phase II. We also discuss the master structure and mobility scheme and present the learning outcomes in terms of cognitive and transferable skills and competences. For each promotion, a description of the students, their background and country of origin will also be given, and will be related to the quality assessment results in terms of student satisfaction surveys. The master quality assurance procedures and actions are also presented, a key aspect for a correct development of the master which helps to identify and solve the problems at the level of quality of teaching, administration support, student facilities and accommodation at each institution.
The paper will also present the involvement of the Master consortium in other Erasmus Mundus actions such as the former Action 4 of the Phase I. The aim of this action is the enhancement of the attractiveness of European higher education. The project, named EACOVIROE, aims to promote the attractiveness of the field of Computer Vision and Robotics in Europe targeting Asian students and Higher education institutions and European students (Job opportunities, mobilities in Europe).
Finally, the paper presents future actions within the master and the consortia. The future of the current EM Master is envisaged in two different and complementary aspects related to the new Phase of the Erasmus Mundus Programme: the development of a new doctoral school and the renewal of the Erasmus Mundus mention for the current VIBOT Master. In that sense, the VIBOT consortium is aiming to renew the Erasmus Mundus Mention in the new Phase. Although the aim is to maintain the current successful structure of the master, a few improvements will be introduced taking into account the experience gained from the last years in running the master both in terms of teaching and administration aspects. On the other hand, regarding the doctoral program (named VISOR), its key aim is to produce the next generation of leading engineering researchers to solve important future challenges in engineering. VISOR Research Network consists of seven leading research groups from five different European States: UK, France, Spain, Norway, and Finland. The distinctive characteristic of VISOR is that it encompasses a broad spectrum of scientific and engineering research from fundamental theoretical results to applied engineering solutions that have strong industrial relevance.