Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski (SU) is the oldest university in Bulgaria and the national leading center for higher education and research in fundamental and applied sciences. It is the largest university in Bulgaria with 102 degree programmes in all major areas of sciences and humanities offered by 16 faculties. Research is an integral part of the teaching process for keeping pace with the most recent developments in the respective areas. International relations are an integral part of Sofia University’s strategy to stimulate research and support and improve the quality of teaching. Sofia University is the national leader in terms of the number of participants in the ERASMUS mobilities and the implementation of the idea of European space in university education. Sofia University contributes significantly to the Bulgarian participation in the global strive for science and education. Its main goal is to provide education that constantly meets the EU quality standards (ENQA) and follows the applicable transferability schemes (EQF/ECTS) to facilitate the planning, delivery, evaluation, recognition and validation of qualifications and students’ mobility.
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is the Nano-Code beneficiary and is responsible for the organization and management of all financial and subject-specific activities. The University is the leader of the Project Management Committee and monitors the overall management and coordination activities. It is the leader of O1 “Nano-Code Digital University Aula design and establishment” and O5 “Fast Digital Organiser for teaching/learning on demand of HE tutors/graduates”, and is responsible for the elaboration of Module 1 “Fundamentals of viral particles interaction with solids”. With its partner network of more than 80 universities in different countries, the Sofia University supports the dissemination and use activities and contributes to the sustainable implementation of the project achievements, incl. within the follow-up phase, dissemination and use, popularisation of the project objectives, networking, organizing and participating in the project piloting and the post-project life.
R&D Center “Biointech” brings together the efforts of numerous professionals whi are highly experienced in tuition, research, development and popularization activities in the field of biotechnology, environment protection, healthcare and their economic and legal aspects. It supports the collaboration of different training settings dealing with higher and continuous education through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). To facilitate the cooperation between higher education and the labor market, “Biointech” has established contacts with employers and has introduced a system for feedback from trainees. Staff members of the R&D Center “Biointech” are experienced in teaching, textbook writing, quality assurance, curriculum development, new IT-based training methods and design of higher education curricula. The R&D Center “Biointech” offers its expertise and competence in the introduction of the instruments of the European and national Qualification Frameworks. It has expertise in production, application and economic planning in the area of industrial and green bio/Nanotechnology and especially sustainable environment, as well as in design and implementation of microbial fermentation processes for production of biologically active compounds. Among its partners are biotech companies, environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, and other environmental professionals.
The R&D Center “Biointech” arranges the smooth progress of tasks. It is responsible for O3 “Nano-Code innovative model for digital higher education” and O4 “Nano-Code digitally enhanced curriculum” and for Module 4 “Nanotechnology and therapeutic solutions for COVID-19”. It takes part in the data collection and the final analysis on the Nano-Code impact. Its active role in the dissemination & use initiatives is due to its international net of educational/research partners and other bodies which can support the project activities, thus assuring the post-project longevity.
SID-97 PAVLOV Ltd. is an engineering company that has been working on the Bulgarian food-processing market since 1997. Its mission is focused on environmentally-friendly activities that support the development of the green economy at national scale. Its main activities are in the field of food industry, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry and chemical industry. The company manages technological projects, supplies equipment and spare parts, assembles automated units, provides full process automation, installation and after-sales service. Its staff comprises qualified engineers, economists, technologists, managers with professional expertise in design and application of new bio/Nano-medical, electronic, aerospace and information technology devices and systems to construct prototypes of new designs.
SID-95 Ltd. is the co-leader of O5 “Fast Digital Organizer for teaching/learning on demand of HE tutors/graduates” and is responsible for Module 5 “Nanotechnology in Food: emerging COVID risks”. The company is an active participant in the project management. SID-95 Ltd. also participates in the Nano-Code dissemination activities by popularizing the project objectives and goals, results and products through its network of business partners, research and production units and industrial organizations in Bulgaria and abroad.
The SOKO Institute GmbH is an owner-managed company based in Bielefeld. The SOKO Institute was founded in 1991 as a medium-sized social research institute to carry out empirical studies on behalf of ministries, universities and other institutions. It deals with quantitative and qualitative research with a main focus on the labor market and social policy, educational policy and renewable energy. The SOKO Institute conducts evaluation studies on various measures (commissioned by the Institute for Ecological Economy Research, the Federal Ministry for the Environment and Reactor Safety or the Federal Centre for Health Education), while also developing and assessing educational curricula. Staff members have vast expertise in sustainable development of educational practices and fruitful working connections with the academic world. The Institute works with CELLS (Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences) at the Leibniz University of Hannover (LUH) and with the IALS (International Academy of Life Sciences) at the Hannover Medical School (MHH).
The SOKO Institute is the leader of the local management body in Germany. It is the co-leader for O4 “Nano-Code digitally enhanced curriculum”, and is responsible for Module 6 “Ethical, legal and social aspects of Nanotechnology vs. COVID-19”. The SOKO Institute brings a substantial added value shaping the way to merge the principles of higher education with the concept of inclusive, digitally enhanced teaching/learning in Nanotechnology to fight COVID-19. It is also a key player in the project dissemination and use, approbation and post-project popularization measures.
The European Institute for Evolution and Integration (EIEO) was founded in July 2013 and is based in Chalandri – Athens, Greece. The Institute has expertise in education and VET training, law, agricultural research and financial consulting and has been leader and partner of numerous European projects along ERASMUS+. The “Skills for Future Farmer (SKIFF)” e-learning platform built under an Erasmus+ KA2 VET project, allowed over 2,500 students to complete the training course and get a certificate. Today, more than 4,000 students have received a certificate of accomplishment for both courses developed by the Institute. The EIEO team consists of professionals with strong expertise in agricultural economics and agricultural research.
The EIEO works to ensure the successful project performance in Greece. The Institute is the co-leader of O2 “Digital competence concept: mapping advanced digital skills and knowledge” and is responsible for Module 3 “Strategies for SARS-CoV-2 detection and disease diagnosis”. It participates in the project dissemination and use, approbation and post-project popularization.
Aksaray University (ASU) is a state university established in 2006 which has grown rapidly in line with the goals of the slogan “Thinking Universally, Acting Locally”. The Aksaray University has 12 faculties, 3 institutes, 1 training and research Hospital, 1 vocational language school, 6 vocational schools and 17 research centers. As of 2020, 25,000 national and 2,000 international students from 45 different countries are enrolled in its associate, undergraduate and graduate programmes. Education, research and scientific activities are carried out by experienced, dynamic and competent 800 researchers (supported by 317 administrative staff). Internationalization is among the main objectives of ASU, so since its establishment ASU has paid much attention to Erasmus+ and other EU programmes. ASU has international, practical and administrative experience in KA205 Strategic Partnership Projects. The University has Biotechnology and Molecular Biology and Biology departments and a distance education unit, which has introduced innovative technological devices to transform education.
Aksaray University is responsible for the management and progress of the project in Turkey. It is the leader of O2 “Digital competence concept: mapping advanced digital skills and knowledge” and is responsible for development of Module 2 “Nanotechnology for antiviral disinfection”. It is also a participant in the dissemination and use activities and the post-project life measures.