ONDERWIJSONTWIKKELING IN DE KIJKER Prof. Davy Pissoort and Jorie Soltic © Tom Talloen 14
POSTGRADUATE SMART OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE IN INDUSTRY Interuniversity and embedded. Those are two major strengths of the postgraduate 'Smart Operations & Maintenance in Industry' that will start in September <strong>2022</strong>. The programme is organised by KU Leuven and Ghent University and taught by mixed teaching teams. Moreover, it is the precursor to an Advanced Master of the same name. Prof. Davy Pissoort, Programme Director and Jorie Soltic, Programme Coordinator explain. ' State-of-the-art technology in two historical cities in Europe', is how the new study programme profiles itself at home and abroad. The historical name and fame of the twin cities Bruges and Kortrijk need no further explanation. Prof. Davy Pissoort does have something to say about the state-of-the-art technology. “The qualification 'smart' is crucial. This refers to the digital transformation that is currently taking place in all sectors of the economy. Information and data technologies are now an integral part of modern manufacturing and the associated operations and maintenance. The latter, in turn, have become inseparable. Maintenance allows operational processes to run as smoothly and undisturbed as possible by ensuring that all equipment and infrastructure required for production is always functioning 100% efficiently. Operational excellence has become the goal of every company in Industry 4.0”. Main courses “Operational excellence presupposes excellent professionals who must be excellently trained,” Jorie continues. “That brings us to the objectives of the programme. We aim to educate experts who can optimise both operational and maintenance processes by making them smart by using innovative technologies such as robotics, big data analysis, digital twins, cloud computing, etc. Our programme covers technologies that facilitate the digitalisation of product and process information and connect equipment, assents, and people. Concrete applications are smart sensors, robots, and industrial Internet-of-Things platforms”. The postgraduate programme consists of four main courses of 6 ECTS each. In 'Digital Twins', students learn how to simulate the physical world using virtual replicas. ‘Monitoring & Prognostics' aims at preventing production line failures and reducing maintenance costs. ‘Operations Management Strategies' introduces students to different business strategies. ‘Smart Factory Design’ focuses on digital tools and models to design smart factories and processes. For this purpose, virtual replicas and digital twins are used, which were discussed in the first main course. Advanced Master Although the new postgraduate may present itself as a standalone programme, it cannot be separated from the broader picture. “In fact, the postgraduate degree is part of the Advanced Master of Science in Smart Operations & Maintenance in Industry that will be launched in Bruges and Kortrijk in 2023,” explains Prof. Pissoort. “This means that anyone who successfully completes the postgraduate programme can enrol directly in the Advanced Master’s and benefits from exemptions. This formula makes it easier to combine the training with a job or family. In addition, educational such as hybrid and virtual classrooms allows us to adapt a blended teaching method. There will be a mix between live contact moments and learning material that can be processed at one’s own pace.” About the target group of the new postgraduate programme, Jorie says: “We are initially aiming for Master’s in Engineering Science or Engineering Technology. The most suitable majors are (Electro)Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & ICT Engineering, Machine & Production Automation, Energy and Business System Engineering and Operational Research. If you do not have such a degree, you may be admitted if you can demonstrate that you have the necessary professional experience.” The students who start in the autumn do not have to worry about their future. Many doors will open for them in various sectors and companies ranging from SMEs to multinationals. “All operationally intensive companies are already waiting impatiently for the first smart O&M engineers,” concludes Jorie. Yves Persoons www.smart-OM.eu CONNECTING 15
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