Erasmus and SEA ASIA programme

In the longer term, the increased SEA capacity of the universities and stronger collaboration between universities are expected to contribute to improved integration of environmental issues in planning and decision-making processes, both nationally and internationally. Gothenburg University is the leading university for the SEA-ASIA program. Nine universities are included in the consortium.

The overall objective of this programme is to strengthen the national systems for integration of environmental considerations into strategic planning and decision-making processes at the national and international/regional level through high quality higher-level education on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

Resources for SEA course development

How to develop a SEA course in four steps:

For development and implementation of SEA curriculum please find the following four main steps for inspiration:

1. Baseline survey
2. SEA literature reading
3. SEA curriculum design
4. SEA curriculum modules development

1. Baseline survey:  The purpose of a baseline survey is to collect information about the need for SEA capacities from stakeholder perspectives in order to understand professional capacities on SEA and develop and improve SEA courses.
Download the baseline survey!

2. SEA Literature reading: Learning about SEA, in general, requires reading literature and this is fundamental to developing university courses. For SEA reading material, see the list here.  All potential SEA lecturers should be encouraged to read and participate in discussions for collective reflection e.g. by arranging reading seminars.
Download the literature list!

3. SEA curriculum outline design: Examine the draft outline of the General SEA curriculum (See General SEA curriculum) and consider the results of the needs assessment survey in your country to elaborate on how your SEA outline should be adjusted.
A. Adjust the outline according to the needs assessment results and/or your practice/experience. Identify learning outcomes for your SEA curriculum.

4. SEA curriculum training modules development: Once the SEA curriculum outline is agreed upon, the topics should be further discussed towards the specification of training modules. 
A. For each topic list with dot points what are issues to be addressed
B. Identify the main literature references associated with each topic
C. Decide which teaching method(s) to use. Read more about the teaching method PBL here. 

What we do

The overall objective of this programme is to strengthen the national systems for integration of environmental considerations into strategic planning and decision-making processes at the national and international/regional level through high quality higher-level education on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

In the longer term, the increased SEA capacity of the universities and stronger collaboration between universities are expected to contribute to improved integration of environmental issues in planning and decision-making processes, both nationally and internationally. Gothenburg University is the leading university for the SEA-ASIA program. Nine universities are included in the consortium.

SEA-ASIA programme specific objectives

Our results

(Updated March 2023; Next update: November 2023)

Our history

Governments are increasingly using policies, plans and programs to guide and manage countries' development. These tools for strategic action have profound effects on the environment, positively or negatively depending on the design and quality of implementation. At the project level Environmental Impact Assessment is typically used to assess and mitigate negative environmental effects. At the strategic (policy, plan and program) levels the current systems, procedures and practices for environmental assessment and management are typically weaker and inadequate to ensure environmental sustainability. This is the case in the partner countries in this programme.

During the last decades Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has developed into a useful tool and approach to assess policies, plans and programs from an environmental point of view, and to suggest appropriate environmental management measures. However, low income countries presently lack the capacity and national system (functions, actors, legal frameworks, education, research) to apply SEA adequately. The result is thus often that policies, plans and programs lack necessary and appropriate environmental considerations and actions. SEA is being developed as a legal requirement; something that should be done according to national and regional environmental legislations (e g in most OECD countries, in the European Union through its SEA Directive, and in many low income countries). Arguably this is a good development, but it places high demands on countries’ capacity to practice SEA appropriately. A key actor to build the necessary capacity for adequate SEA practice is the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

This programme builds on an advanced international training program (ITP) on SEA, which focused on building SEA capacity in government agencies. The ITP SEA program, developed by NIRAS International together with University of Gothenburg, was implemented during 2013-2019 in the Asia region, including Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar and Bangladesh. University of Gothenburg was co-organizer together with NIRAS International in the implementation of the ITP SEA program. The Erasmus + program SEA-ASIA is based on the academic network created during the ITP SEA programme. The purpose of SEA-ASIA is to strengthen cooperation between the universities in the EU (Denmark, Portugal and Sweden) and Southeast Asia (Bangladesh, Laos and Vietnam) and strengthen the capacity of universities to carry out high-quality higher education in strategic environmental assessment (SEA).

In the longer term, the increased SEA capacity of the universities and stronger collaboration between universities are expected to contribute to improved integration of environmental issues in planning and decision-making processes, both nationally and internationally. Gothenburg University is the leading university for the SEA-ASIA program. Nine universities are included in the consortium.

Programme Universities

Sweden

The University of Gothenburg, the Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development
University of Gothenburg was founded in 1954. Over 37 000 students and 6 000 employees make the University a large and inspiring place to work and study, with a continuous flow of new knowledge and ideas. The UGOT consists of 8 faculties and 39 departments and was last year according to the ranking company Times Higher Education on the ninth place of an international top 30-list of effective publishers. Education and research are the University of Gothenburg’s most important contributions to sustainable development, and the University aims to become a European leader in the area. The University offers a broader range of courses and study programmes related to the environment and sustainable development than any other Swedish higher education institution, and environmental research is conducted in a large number of subject areas.

In the SEAASIA programme, UGOT will be responsible for managing the project, oversee and integrate different activities to ensure the project's progress. It will act as the principal intermediary between the participants. UGOT will also be responsible for the overall administration of the project in close collaboration with the consortium partners. UGOT is also the lead university for WP1, WP4 (joint leadership with HSTU), WP 7 and WP 8. UGOT will throughout the development WPs have the role as adviser, mentor and trainer.

Denmark

Aalborg University, The Danish Centre for Environmental Assessment (DCEA)
Aalborg University (AAU) is an international top-class university, and is among the top 2% of the worlds’ 17.000 universities. Within the field of Engineering, AAU is no. 4 in the world, and the best in Europe. AAU has been providing students with academic excellence, cultural engagement, and personal development since its inception in 1974. It offers education and research within the fields of natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, technical and health sciences. AAU is as a dynamic and innovative research and educational institution oriented towards the surrounding world. AAU’s 5 faculties employ about 2,300 full time researchers, and host app. 20,700 students. The University is specialized in problem-based learning (PBL), Life Long Learning, and close cooperation with industry, public authorities, and civil society. It is characterized by combining a keen engagement in local, regional, and national issues with an active commitment to international collaboration. The strong interplay between staff and students and intense collaboration with public and private sectors, offers degree programmes with a real-world approach and provide world-class research. This results in new insights, new solutions to societal challenges and knowledge that changes the world.

DCEA - The Danish Centre for Environmental Assessment, within the Department of Development and Planning, Aalborg University, will host the project. DCEA is an interdisciplinary research group with extensive experience in teaching and research within environmental assessment including strategic environmental assessment (SEA) as well as other forms of sustainability assessment, governance, planning and stakeholder engagement. The centre has 20 active researchers, who teach at both bachelor and master programmes including in SEA. The centre further has developed a strong national and international network regarding environmental assessment, both with researchers and practitioners, which is actively used for cooperation with external partners in both research and practice.

AAU is the lead university for WP5 (jointly with ULisboa) and WP 6 and is a part of the Steering Committee. AAU will also support UGOT in its responsibilities to oversee and integrate different activities to ensure the project's progress. AAU will also throughout the development WPs have the role as adviser, mentor and trainer.
 

Portugal

Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST)
Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) is the largest and most prestigious university in Portugal and it is one of Europe’s leading universities. Notwithstanding assessment methods or criteria, ULisboa also leads the main international rankings and is amongst the 200 best universities worldwide. Heir to an academic tradition that spans over seven centuries, ULisboa acquired its current status in July 2013, following the merger of the former Universidade Técnica de Lisboa and Universidade de Lisboa. Located in the heart of the city of Lisbon, it provides its entire community with the best and most diverse academic programs, vowing to deliver a uniquely enriching experience. ULisboa welcomes more than 7000 foreign students every year – about 14,5% of the total number of students – from over 100 countries, seeking high quality education. Bringing together various academic fields, ULisboa has a privileged position for enabling the contemporary evolution of science, technology, arts and humanities.

Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) is the largest and most reputed school of engineering, science and technology in Portugal. Since its creation in 1911, IST aims to contribute to the development of society promoting and sharing excellence in higher education in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, Science and Technology. IST offers Bachelor, Master and PhD programmes, lifelong training and develops Research, Development and Innovation activities, which are essential to provide an education based on the top international standards. Its mission is therefore expressed in the three functions which characterise the concept of a modern university: to generate knowledge, to provide skilled professionals and to transfer and apply knowledge and innovation by creating cutting-edge science and technology. IST consists of 3 campuses, 3 student residences and 10 Departments. There are more than 11.500 full-year equivalent under and post graduate students, and about 1.500 full time equivalent teaching and non-teaching staff. Research at IST is organised in 20 Centres and Institutes and 8 Associate Laboratories that address a multidisciplinary research in an international and multicultural atmosphere.

ULisboa is the lead university for WP2 (jointly with SKU and NUoL), WP 3 (jointly with HCMUNRE), and WP 5 (jointly with AAU). ULisboa is also a part of the Steering Committee and will support UGOT in its responsibilities to oversee and integrate different activities to ensure the project's progress. ULisboa will also throughout the development WPs have the role as adviser, mentor and trainer.

Partner universities

Bangladesh

Jahangirnagar University
Jahangirnagar University is the only fully residential public university in Banglades and was established in 1970. The university has at present 34 departments under six Faculties along with four institutes. The university has more than 16,781 students, 755 academics adherent to teaching and research, and 1,430 other employees. It holds 3rd position in public University ranking several times in Bangladesh. Other than the departments, it has Wazed Miah Science Research Center, center for excellence in teaching and learning (CETL).
Vision: To achieve excellence in higher education comparable to global standards; to establish equity and guarantee access to higher education by anyone qualified to pursue it, and to prepare the learners as ideal citizens.

Department of Environmental Sciences:
In view of the environmental concern, the Department of Environmental Sciences was established at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, in April 1999 as an interdisciplinary undergraduate program by integrating all branches of natural sciences including relevant technological management.

Vision of the Department of Environmental Sciences:
Education and Research at Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on two main pillars; “Sustainability” and “Safety of the Earth”. To achieve excellence in environmental leadership, the main goal of the functional entities of the department essentially centers on team-work of environmental studies with a holistic approaches considering human dimension as a significant factor.

Mission of the Department of Environmental Sciences:
Based on the two pillars of “Sustainability” and “Safety of the Earth”, the Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on interdisciplinary studies without the barriers between different fields of sciences, engineering, management as well as social studies addressed on the state of the environment and environmental problems in Bangladesh and the world. Through a series of academic courses and co-curricular activities, scholars will learn how anthropogenic activities impact the environment and will obtain the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential to effectively contribute to solutions.

In the SEAASIA programme, JU will be a partner university in all the work packages and a part of the Steering Committee.
The role of JU will mainly be to provide human resources to participate in the projects, develop curricula, lecturers for SEA, host other partner University, conduct case studies, provide training to students participating in the training program, connect with the network and stakeholders for SEA in Bangladesh and partner countries.
 

Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) is relatively new as a university, established in 1999. The Prime Minister of Peoples Republic Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina inaugurate the activities of this University by setting the foundation stone on the 11th of September, 1999. First batch of students were admitted at in 1999-2000. At its inception it had inherited only the faculty of Agriculture but soon nine faculties were added. At present the faculties are Agriculture, Computer Science & Engineering, Business Studies, Engineering, Fisheries, Veterinary & Animal Science, Science, Social Science & Humanities and Post Graduate Studies.

There are total of 44 departments under these faculties. In addition to these Bachelor of Science offering faculties, there is the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies offering MS and PhD degrees. There is also an Institute of Research and Training that conducts and coordinates research programmes and offers training to graduates and farmers.

Vision: The Vision of HSTU is to promote excellence in higher education for a vibrant and inclusive society through knowledge creation and dissemination. It is making sincere efforts to contribute its mite by providing the right kind of human resources. It is striving hard to impart quality education to meet national and global challenges, towards accomplishing its mission.
Mission:
• To upgrade teaching, research outreach activities, training and community services
• To establish good governance
• To introduce Student Centred Learning (SCL) through outcome-based curriculum,
• To improve teaching-learning and assessment strategies,
• To increase physical facilities, student support services, and finally
• To enhance the ability of students by providing advanced knowledge in their respective subjects, ICT and other related fields and by developing their skills and competence and communication abilities to be globally competitive;
• To enhance quality and to ensure advancement.

In the SEAASIA programme, HSTU is the lead university of WP 4 (Promoting interaction between policy and university together with UGOT) and a part of the Steering Committee.
The role of HSTU will mainly be to provide human resources to participate in the projects, develop curricula, lecturers for SEA, host other partner University, conduct case studies, provide training to students participating in the training program, connect with the network and stakeholders for SEA in Bangladesh and partner countries.

Lao PDR

National University of Laos
National University of Laos (NUoL) is the first full-fledged university in Lao PDR. Since its establishment on November, 5th 1996, NUOL conducted the teaching and learning-based activities starting with 7 faculties and one School of Foundation Studies. Currently, NUOL comprises of 12 faculties. In addition to that under NUOL, at the moment, there are also 2 institutes, 1 central library, 6 centers, 1 hospital, 11 offices and 1 school for Gifted and Ethnic Students. The central vision of NUOL is to become the country’s leading university in Lao PDR, functioning as the center of excellence in higher education with focus on core academics and research, while taking the key roles in preservation of the country’ valuable culture and tradition. In this regard, it is to contribute to capacity building, strengthening of human resources through fostering intellectual vitality, promoting knowledge and skills, positive attitudes, loyalty, dignity, good physical and mental health of Lao people.

Currently, the Ministry of Education and National University of Laos agreed that National University of Laos will be the leading university to focus on environmental research, management and studies for sustainable development of Lao PDR. Therefore, recently National University of Laos has had some faculty staff from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences to work in collaboration with Environmental Policy Department of the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment on promoting and disseminating the knowledge of strategic environmental management. In addition, recently, FES has an established organizational structure and the institutional set up capable to provide training and technical support on Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Initial Environment Examination (IEE), and environmental quality monitoring to different public and private sector projects. FES has previously conducted EIA trainings to build and enhance the knowledge and skills of district, provincial and central officials on the analysis and assessment of impacts of the development projects operating/to be operating in Lao PDR.
In the SEAASIA programme, NUoL will be partner university in all WPs but will be lead university for WP 2 (joint leadership with ULisboa and SKU) and a part of the Steering Committee.

The role of NUOL will mainly be to provide human resources to participate in the projects, develop curricula, lecturers for SEA, host other partner University, conduct case studies, provide training to students participating in the training program, connect with the network and stakeholders for SEA in Lao PDR and partner countries.

Savannakhet University
Savannakhet University (SKU) is a higher educational institution (HEI) under the umbrella of Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR. It has officially opened academic programs since 2009. It is the institution responsible for strengthening human capacity in central region of Laos (e.g., Bolikhamxay, Khammouance, and Savannakhet Provinces). The SKU has four main missions: (1) strengthen human capacity; (2) conduct research activities; (3) service and assist societies; and (4) preserve and promote culture of Lao people.
There are seven faculties at the SKU providing undergraduate study programs. SKU offers only two graduate programs such as one at the Faculty of Business Administration (the Rural Economic Development program) and the other at the Faculty of Education (the Education and Development program). The provided undergraduate programs normally last four years, graduate programs have duration of two years.  Faculty of Agriculture and Environment (FOA) is one out of seven faculties under the SKU. The FOA offers only Bachelor Programs (BSc.) in forestry resources, environmental science, crop science, and animal science.

In the SEA ASIA programme, SKU is a partner university in all WPs but will be lead university for WP 2 (joint leadership with ULisboa and NUoL) and part of the Steering Committee.  The role of SKU will mainly be to provide human resources to participate in the projects, develop curricula, lecturers for SEA, host other partner University, conduct case studies, provide training to students participating in the training program, connect with the network and stakeholders for SEA in Lao PDR and partner countries.
 

Vietnam

Thuyloi University
As a public university under the supervision of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Thuyloi University (founded in 1959) is recognized as the leading technical university in the field of water resources. Thuyloi University’s mission is to develop highly competent human resource, perform scientific research, develop and transfer advanced technology in fields of science, engineering, economics and management, with significant focus on water resources, environment and disaster management, making remarkable contributions in the industrialization, modernization and sustainable development of Vietnam. TLU aims to become one of the leading multi-disciplinary university in Vietnam. TLU aspires to retain the No. 1 position as an education and research institution in the fields of water resources management, hydropower, natural resources, environment and disaster management.

Thuyloi University has 12 faculties, 16 Administrative and service Units, 09 science-technology Centers and Institute and 01 Clinic with over 18.000 students at different levels. TLU has 598 lecturers of which: 11 Professors, 63 Associate Professors, 168 Doctors and 320 Masters. TLU has been training by credits in Vietnam. Number of existing training level at TLU include 28 bachelor degree, 21 master degree and 11 doctor degree specialisation.

Faculty of Environment has established in 2010. At present, Faculty are training about 500 under-graduate students, about 30 post-graduate students a year, and 26 staff including: 1 professor, 07 Associate Professors, 08 Doctors, 04 PhD candidates and 6 Masters. At this stage, there are three master courses including SEA as a main subject as follows: Environmental Science (MSc), Environmental Engineering (MSc) and Natural Resources Economics (MSc).

Thuyloi University has a growing international cooperation network. Bilateral and multilateral collaboration in training and research have been signed and actively practiced between TLU and prestigious universities from USA, Netherlands, Italy, Singapore, Japan, China, Germany, Belgium, France, India, Finland, Laos, etc., providing the University’s faculty staffs and students with significant opportunities to broaden their boundaries of knowledge and experience in advanced study and research environments in the world.

In the SEAASIA programme the TLU Is a partner country in all WPs and a part of the Steering Committee. The role of TLU will mainly be to provide human resources to participate in the projects, develop curricula, lecturers for SEA, host other partner University, conduct case studies, provide training to students participating in the training program, connect with the network and stakeholders for SEA in Vietnam and partner countries.

 

Ho Chi Minh Hochiminh City University of Natural Resources & Environment
Ho Chi Minh Hochiminh City University of Natural Resources & Environment (HCMUNRE) is the only public university belongs to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in the South of Vietnam. HCMUNRE is a multidiscipline university with the task of training qualified human resource for society in the field of natural resources and environment at different levels from Central, localities, businesses to communities.

With the experience of 40 years of development, HCMUNRE has become a trusted and reliable university supplying qualified manpower in the field of natural resources and environment management; association and cooperation in domestic and overseas training; scientific research and experimental; implementation of scientific services - technology and other duties prescribed by law; training and fostering of public servants, as assigned by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. HCMUNRE mission is to become one of the leading universities with national recoginzed education in teaching and doing research. By 2035 HCMUNRE aims to become the key university in training high-qualified human resource in the field of natural resources and environment, that’s on a par with advanced universities in the region and reach to cooperation with well-known international universities.

HCMUNRE has 12 Faculties and Departments, 07 Functional Departments, 05 Centers and Institute and 01 Clinic with over 8.000 students at different levels. HCMUNRE has 359 staff of which 248 lecturers: 02 Professors, 10 Associate Professors, 41 Doctors and 180 Masters etc. Faculty of Environment providing competence capacity of teaching, researching on different courses at four majors including: Ecology, Hydrology, climate changes, environmental sciences, toxicology, environmental modelling, GIS, environmental engineering (waste water, air, noise, waste, energy, water supply), environmental management (sectors: urban, industry, ISO, HSE, cleaner production, environmental planning, environmental impacts and risk management, Environmental law and policies, Strategic environmental assessment) and natural resources (water, land, forest, biodiversity and tourist). In the SEAASIA programme, HCMUNRE is lead university for WP3 (jointly with ULisboa) and a part of the steering committee. The role of HCMUNRE will mainly be to provide human resources to participate in the projects, develop curricula, lecturers for SEA, host other partner University, conduct case studies, provide training to students participating in the training program, connect with the network and stakeholders for SEA in Vietnam and partner countries.

Meet the team

Our approach

SEA-ASIA work packages

The SEA-ASIA programme is divided into eight work packages (WPs); WP 1 concerns preparation, four work packages (WP 2- WP 5) are dedicated to development, WP 6 concerns Quality plan, WP 7 concerns Dissemination and exploitation and WP 8 concerns programmeprogramme management. The development work packages 2-5 are conducted through joint leadership:

WP 1: Preparation

Point international teams are established and general and detailed work plans will be formulated. Coordinator's meetings will take place (face to face and online) to ensure commitment and understanding of financial and managerial regulations. A start up workshop will be carried out with 3-4 participants from each university. The WP lead is UGOT.

WP2: Development and implementation of MSc programme modules on SEA

MSc programme modules on SEA and general curriculum outline will be developed, and reflect national but also regional needs to enable common agendas for SEA in the region, while recognizing specificities and innovation objectives in each country. The learning and educational tools include participatory trainings, case development to enhance learning from practice, as well as problem based learning (connecting to WP4). National and regional workshops will be held. The Asian university partners will work in the development of these training materials together with, but also coached by the European university partners. Training of trainers will be conducted. The WP lead is ULisboa and SKU.

WP3: Development of a regional professional academic network

We will develop an academic network of professionals for enhanced connections, learning and collaborations between universities in Asia and Europe. The network will consist of academic staff and focus on sharing knowledge, experiences and professional capacities on Strategic Environmental Assessment. The WP lead is ULisboa and HCMUNRE.

WP 4: Promoting research policy interaction

A stocktaking mapping study will be carried out and used as a point of departure for deepened work in this area of work. Promotion of stakeholder interaction between academia and the policy sphere will be implemented through trainings, workshops and seminars, and other activities e.g. linking students MSc theses to policy (planning and decision making). The WP lead is UGOT and HSTU.

WP5: Problem based learning tools: Building capacity at the universities on problem based learning and relevant tools

An inventory of the state-of-the-art teaching tools and methods will be introduced at the partner universities with a focus on problem-based learning (PBL). Training on PBL principles, tools and teaching techniques will be implemented as well as two study visits to Aalborg University for the entire consortium. These activities are supplemented with workshops as part of the training. The lead for WP4 is AU and ULisboa

WP6: Monitoring and quality assurance

Quality monitoring activities will ensure goal attainment, coordination and coherence of work at WP and sub-WP levels. A quality assurance plan and guidelines will be developed and an evaluation group will be created. Evaluation of workshops and trainings and continuous monitoring of activities and objectives will be carried out based on quality assurance in previous training programmes carried out by UGOT. At the end of the programme a survey will be conducted and the outcome harvesting method will be used to assess outcome results of the programme. The WP lead is UGOT.

WP7: Dissemination and exploitation

A dissemination plan will be created in the beginning of the programme which will be regularly updated. An online digital platform as well as a webpage will also be developed in the beginning of the programme. Dissemination activities include presenting the project in professional relevant fora (HEIs, professional associations, government agencies etc), presentation and participation in professional and academic conferences, workshops for HEIs within and outside the consortium, making prepared learning materials, teaching tools etc. available on an online platform for information sharing. The WP lead is AAU.

WP8: Management

The SEA ASIA programme is generally coordinated by University of Gothenburg (UGOT). Each of the partner institutions will have an assigned coordinator. For the development work packages leadership is shared, and three of the work packages will have dual leadership (one university from Europe and one university from Asia).

Erasmus+ CBHE

Capacity Building in Higher Education Programme (CBHE)

Capacity-building projects in the field of higher education support the modernisation, accessibility and internationalisation of higher education in Partner countries. These projects build on the success of the Alfa, Edu-link and Tempus programmes.

The projects aim to encourage cooperation between the EU and Partner Countries and support eligible Partner Countries in addressing challenges in the management and governance of their higher education institutions. This includes improving the quality of higher education, developing new and innovative education programmes, modernising higher education systems through reform policies as well as fostering cooperation across different regions of the world through joint initiatives.

Learn more on CBHE Erasmus+ scheme

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