(101) INTERACTION BETWEEN UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS, STUDENTS AND MUNICIPALITY REPRESENTATIVES FOR IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN REAL ESTATES - NEW PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH

摘要

In Finland, the higher education sector is polarised into academic universities and universities ofapplied sciences with different tasks and profiles. The higher education especially needs to focus onteaching methods and contents as well as research, development and innovations (R&D&I).In Finnish, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) a new pedagogical approach is rising. In this study, apractical research co-operation between Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences and the localmunicipalities is described as an example of student-centered collaboration.At Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, many steps have been taken towards reforming theconventional “classroom teaching” pedagogy and implementing the LCCE~R methodology. This newpedagogical approach provides integration between theoretical lessons and practical exercises in anauthentic environment, meaning that students may work with companies and other stakeholders tosolve problems or develop new ideas, while being guided by teachers and R&D staff. Thismethodology is based on the principles of the constructive learning environment and possess thefeatures of the model of integrative pedagogy as well.The City of Kotka has a strong emphasis towards sustainable development. The Aalborg Commitmentis the frame for the actions taken, such as development of regional climate and energy efficiencystrategies as well as sustainable development target plan. At Kymenlaakso University of AppliedSciences, Energy Technology Engineering education gives competences in environmentally friendlyand economical energy production and in innovative energy technology and engineering. One part ofthe curriculum is Energy Efficiency, including energy audits in all kinds of facilities. The purpose ofenergy auditing is to analyse the energy use of a particular facility, to define the potential for energysavings and present a profitability calculation of saving proposals.In this paper, a concrete co-operation between the energy technology engineering students and staffand the municipality representatives focusing on saving energy and improving energy efficiency in realestates, is described. “Step to Ecosupport” -project was carried out in 2013 - 2014. Within this project,several energy audits on various targets were implemented by the energy technology engineeringstudents, guided by the academic professional staff and reviewed by the municipal representatives.Both the university students and the staff involved collected knowledge and experiences that areinconceivable to achieve by any other way.