ECCE task forces: Education, Professional Recognition, Environment, Research and Development act as the ‘motor’ of ongoing activity in the technical sphere.  An ad hoc group is also preparing material on Civil Engineering Heritage for publication.

Education

 The Task Force links ECCE to various EU-funded projects reviewing civil engineering education across Europe.  ECCE’s principal involvement has been with the large pan-European thematic network created by the EUCEET project in which Task Force Chairman Professor Iacint Manoliu plays a leading role.  Professor Manoliu, Task Force Chairman, provided a brief report on major projects of relevance for civil engineering Education in Europe:  

The EUCEET project is in the third year of its final phase.  EUCEET’s General Assembly of EUCEET was held in Paris at

end September 2005, attended by a number of ECCE delegates.  EUCEET is proposing a third phase Thematic Network

Project.

·   The EUCEET project is in the third year of its final phase.  EUCEET’s General Assembly of EUCEET was held in Paris at end September 2005, attended by a number of ECCE delegates.  EUCEET is proposing a third phase Thematic Network Project.

·   ECCE will hold a Forum in 2006.  This is proposed as part of the Socrates programme.  It comprises almost equal parts of academia and those from the vocational world.

·   The TUNING project: in February 2005 TUNING project partners visited Costa Rica for a project involving Latin America.

In 2005 a new action line for the Bologna Process was devised in Bergen (Norway).  This focuses on a new attractiveness of the European education area and co-operation with other parts of the world.

For 2006 the Task Force Business Plan will include: dissemination of the results of the Tuning project; dissemination of the fifth and sixth volumes regarding the EUCEET project; dissemination of the result of the EUR-ACE project; synergy with the Professional Recognition Task Force and participation in the Forum 2005/6 and EUCEET III involvement if the project is accepted.

Professional Recognition

The Directive on Professional Mobility was finally published on 6^th June 2005.  Task Force Chairman, Professor Carsten Ahrens continues his active involvement in preparing proposals for a Common Platform for civil engineers to enable free movement of the profession at European level and actively seeking collaboration with related organisations in the sector.  

Under the proposal being put forward with ECCE support, member organisations would have to certify the achievement of 300 ECTS-credits and professional experience of not less than three years.  What is being considered in this ‘qualifications package’ comprises 12 years of secondary education, 300 ECTS credits which can be achieved by a five-year Master’s qualification or a Bachelor’s degree plus CPD.    

Research and Development

Georges Pilot of France heads this task force.  His career in the field of construction research enables him to share extensive experience and in-depth knowledge with members whose day-to-day contact with the world of engineering research may be more limited.  Amongst regular updates on EU research development which he prepares for the Task Force are: a brief summary of FP7 information; information on the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) and on specific programmes within “Cooperation in FP7”; updated information on the European Construction Technology Platform, in particular relating to Vision 2030, as a preliminary element to the ECTP Strategic Research Agenda.   Georges is also instrumental in ECCE responses on key research issues such as the forthcoming Seventh Framework Programme and ECCE contributions to ECCREDI position statements.

In 2005 various events occurred in relation to the Seventh Framework programme.  The Autumn 2004 launch of the European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP) is a recent noteworthy ECCREDI initiative to promote the role of construction research. 

A draft 2006-7 Task Force Action Plan includes: completion of the E-Core database, a mini-workshop on national construction technology platforms, information on ECTP, on the FP7 Working Programme (Including JTI) and on other FP7 actions (ERC, EFRSI, etc.).   ECCREDI actions will continue to play a significant role and member are encouraged to propose further task force initiatives.

Environment

At the Istanbul meeting, Taskforce Chairman Santiago Hernandez gave a presentation on the potential problems of the water lily or water hyacinth.  A questionnaire was distributed to members following the meeting.

Members of the Task Force had then given consideration to how climate change would affect their countries.  The responses focused primarily on water-related issues and also the need to ensure a reliable energy supply.  The results were noted for circulation to Task Force members and the Task Force Chairman agreed to develop work on this area further prior to the Spring 2006 meeting.    

Civil Engineering Heritage

Many Member organisations have now responded to the request to supply a list of 10 representative civil engineering projects from their respective countries.  Those who had yet to contribute to this project were reminded that photographs as well as descriptive text may be included in order to provide review material, but the importance of ensuring copyright to reproduce pictures should not be underestimated. 

Acceptance of projects for consideration is to be based on projects which are: (i) important for their period, (ii) innovative for that period and (iii) reflected the level of civilisation in their geographical region at that period in history.  The aim of the group is to produce an illustrated publication in printed or electronic format.