An Investigation in Applying Image Retrieval Techniques to X-Ray Engineering Pictures

Using image retrieval techniques in analysing Non-destructive testing reults is a new challenge in both computing science and engineering applications. Objective of this research is to develop an image retrieval system to analyse X-ray images for welding industry. The content based image retrieval has been used in this investigation, particularly in feature vector paradigm and similarity as well as detailed analysis towards single defects. It is found that X-ray images can be digitally analysed qualitatively and quantitatively easily. It concludes that the use of existing CBIR techniques can provide a platform to quickly develop new image analysis tools

D 3.1 Analysis and investigations of existing studies and research-based data on skills gaps in aquaculture industry and VET supply

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is an important component of any national educational system and supports workforce development in many fish producing European countries. The role VET plays in the education system is sometimes understated, and qualifications achieved through VET are perceived by some to be of a low quality or second rate. However, VET can offer an important and accessible education pathway that can prepare an individual for a specific job, thereby helping them to find initial employment, or improve their practical skills and knowledge for their current role. The low perception of VET in some countries as a credible educational pathway does not always apply in every sector. For example, VET is central to certain trades such as construction and engineering which are generally held in higher regard. Conversely, there appears to be some negative association with employment in aquaculture which is seen as a last resort in some countries. This can make it difficult to promote aquaculture VET as a career path due to the negative social association in countries where higher education in university is the aspiration of many. A Cedefop public opinion survey carried out in 2017 (2) found that VET may not be viewed with high regard as an educational pathway by those surveyed, but the general perception was that VET can prepare people well for the world of work and is a positive pathway towards finding employment. Web based research for specific VET in each of the 12 BlueEDU countries included in the project confirmed that each country does have a formal VET system, but frequently, an aquaculture or aquaculture related curriculum is missing. There is evidence to suggest that most countries do have some form of aquaculture education and training activity, but this is commonly fragmented, informal and lacking structure, or aimed at higher education. Identifying aquaculture VET currently available is an essential first step in establishing who is delivering what, where and how. The research for BlueEDU revealed that there is an existing VET system in each of the BlueEDU countries, but a very limited number of aquaculture VET programmes. This was an expected result but still something that had to be confirmed. Norway and Scotland both have long established VET systems that are respected and well structured. Both systems have benefits that could bring positive results if they were replicated in other countries. The system in Norway is well supported across the country by the Norwegian aquaculture industry, whereas the system in Scotland appears to be confined to delivery from two centres, NAFC in the Northern Isles and Inverness College, both of which are part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). The systems used in both Norway and Scotland are currently being evaluated by other countries aiming to setup an aquaculture VET system to support their growing industries, namely, Iceland and Faroe Islands. There are aquaculture VET systems ongoing in Spain, France, Italy and Greece although the options available in Italy and Greece are very limited. France has a well-established VET and aquaculture full time course provision distributed across the country. There is however a general lack of aquaculture VET provision in southern European countries where tertiary education at university is held in high esteem. Information on countries in southern Europe was difficult to obtain as online searches would reveal very limited information. Requests for information sent to contacts generally received little or no response. There have been several EU supported projects in southern Europe that have developed a wide range of learning tools aimed at: • fish health monitoring and disease control, • improving fish welfare, • improving skills and general aquaculture knowledge, • creation of an aquaculture glossary, • improve research knowledge and infrastructure and • creation of a Europe wide networking system. These initiatives have led to the creation of a number of online courses and training tools that could be utilised by any aquaculture VET system to help address knowledge gaps. It appears that most of the resources created are no longer in use or are rarely used. This may be down to the lack of effective promotion and they may be put to good use if updated and promoted to a wider audience

WP3 Analysis and Investigation

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is an important component of any national educational system and supports workforce development in many fish producing European countries. The role VET plays in the education system is sometimes understated, and qualifications achieved through VET are perceived by some to be of a low quality or second rate. However, VET can offer an important and accessible education pathway that can prepare an individual for a specific job, thereby helping them to find initial employment, or improve their practical skills and knowledge for their current role. The low perception of VET in some countries as a credible educational pathway does not always apply in every sector. For example, VET is central to certain trades such as construction and engineering which are generally held in higher regard. Conversely, there appears to be some negative association with employment in aquaculture which is seen as a last resort in some countries. This can make it difficult to promote aquaculture VET as a career path due to the negative social association in countries where higher education in university is the aspiration of many. A Cedefop public opinion survey carried out in 2017 (2) found that VET may not be viewed with high regard as an educational pathway by those surveyed, but the general perception was that VET can prepare people well for the world of work and is a positive pathway towards finding employment. Web based research for specific VET in each of the 12 BlueEDU countries included in the project confirmed that each country does have a formal VET system, but frequently, an aquaculture or aquaculture related curriculum is missing. There is evidence to suggest that most countries do have some form of aquaculture education and training activity, but this is commonly fragmented, informal and lacking structure, or aimed at higher education. Identifying aquaculture VET currently available is an essential first step in establishing who is delivering what, where and how. The research for BlueEDU revealed that there is an existing VET system in each of the BlueEDU countries, but a very limited number of aquaculture VET programmes. This was an expected result but still something that had to be confirmed. Norway and Scotland both have long established VET systems that are respected and well structured. Both systems have benefits that could bring positive results if they were replicated in other countries. The system in Norway is well supported across the country by the Norwegian aquaculture industry, whereas the system in Scotland appears to be confined to delivery from two centres, NAFC in the Northern Isles and Inverness College, both of which are part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). The systems used in both Norway and Scotland are currently being evaluated by other countries aiming to setup an aquaculture VET system to support their growing industries, namely, Iceland and Faroe Islands. There are aquaculture VET systems ongoing in Spain, France, Italy and Greece although the options available in Italy and Greece are very limited. France has a well-established VET and aquaculture full time course provision distributed across the country. There is however a general lack of aquaculture VET provision in southern European countries where tertiary education at university is held in high esteem. Information on countries in southern Europe was difficult to obtain as online searches would reveal very limited information. Requests for information sent to contacts generally received little or no response. There have been several EU supported projects in southern Europe that have developed a wide range of learning tools aimed at: • fish health monitoring and disease control, • improving fish welfare, • improving skills and general aquaculture knowledge, • creation of an aquaculture glossary, • improve research knowledge and infrastructure and • creation of a Europe wide networking system. These initiatives have led to the creation of a number of online courses and training tools that could be utilised by any aquaculture VET system to help address knowledge gaps. It appears that most of the resources created are no longer in use or are rarely used. This may be down to the lack of effective promotion and they may be put to good use if updated and promoted to a wider audience

Integrating Mobile Computing Solutions into Distance Learning Environments

This paper assumes that in the near future most students at universities are in possession of a mobile device with the ability to access the world wide web and display multimedia content. Observing the current development trends of mobile hardware, this seems to be justified. Even common mobile phones have multiple wireless communication interfaces and colour displays. More expensive devices are equipped with a large touch screen and are able to play videos in a reasonable quality. It is attempted to exploit this development and enhance the learning experience of students by gradually building up a pervasive computing infrastructure. A design is proposed that offers an open and extensible (distance) learning environment. Flexible standards such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) for communication and the Extensible Markup Language (XML) for document transfer are used. This design allows to access and modify learning material stored in learning management systems (LMS), multimedia repositories and electronic voting system (EVS) locally and remotely. The supported technology ranges from PCs and laptops to mobile devices

An Investigation in Image Retrieval for Analysing Welding Defects

The development of new approaches in image processing and retrieval provides several opportunities in supporting in different domains. The group of welding engineers frequently needs to conduct visual inspections to assess the quality of weldings. It is investigated, if this process can be supported by different kinds of software. A generic CBIR system has been successfully used to sort welding photographs according to the severity of visual faults. Similar algorithms were used to automatically spot and measure the diameter of gas pores

Instructor Training Results in The Move-IT Project

This paper presents some achievements of the project entitled „Innovative Tools and models for Vocational Education and Training in Central and Western Romania” (MoVEIT) financed by EEA financial mechanism. It has the priority to develop human resource through promotion of education and training, by means of distance learning. The results for participants evaluation, course and instructor evaluation after two instructor training sessions organised for teachers from “Petru Maior” University of Târgu-Mureş are presented

Open and Innovative Tools and Services for Vocational Education and Training in Quality Assurance

This paper presents the employment of the Student Response System at the “Petru Maior” University of Tîrgu Mureş, achievements of the project entitled “Disseminating Open and Innovative Tools and Services for Vocational Education and Training in Quality Assurance” (acronym Do-IT) financed by European Commission. The recent developments and results obtained during pilot testing of new pedagogical models and services, in Do-IT project, targeting engaging engineering education in Romania are presented

Activity Based Training Employed in Quality Assurance Training

This paper presents the employment of the Activity Based Training at the “Petru Maior” University of Tîrgu Mureş. The draft of the training activities in each of the 10 modules in the Quality Audit process is illustrated. It is an achievement of the project entitled “Disseminating Open and Innovative Tools and Services for Vocational Education and Training in Quality Assurance” (acronym Do-IT) financed by European Commission

New evaluation methods by means of open system services for smartphones

This paper presents some achievements of the project entitled “Develop of open systems services for smartphones that facilitates new evaluation methods, and enhances use of immediate feedback on evaluation results obtained in tests as a creative learning tool” (acronym Done-IT) Financed by European Commission. Models of learning are analysed, project aims, objectives, impact, sustainability, results and Implementation are presented

An Intelligent System for Analyzing Welding Defects using Image Retrieval Techniques

The development of new approaches in image processing and retrieval provides several opportunities in supporting in different domains. The group of welding engineers frequently needs to conduct visual inspections to assess the quality of welding products. It is investigated, if this process can be supported by different kinds of software. Techniques from a generic CBIR system have been successfully used to cluster welding photographs according to the severeness of visual faults. Similarity algorithms were used to automatically spot faults, such as cracks and gas pores