HEI PLADI which stands for Higher Education Innovation in Plant Diversity: flexible learning paths for emerging labour markets was recently launched at the Department of Biosciences, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy, the coordinator of the project. 

This is a three year K2 Erasmus Plus 2015 project which falls under the Erasmus charter for Higher Education of Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices, including strategic partnerships for higher education practices.

There are seven partner countries and organisations namely: University of Molise, Italy, Argotti Botanic Gardens & Resource Centre, University of Malta, Malta, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Crete, University Degli Studi di Cagliari, Sardenia, Polish Academy of Science Botanical Gardens, Centre of Biological Diversity, Powsin, Poland, University of Lisboa, Portugal, Sveti Kliment Ohridski Botanic Garden, University of Sofia, Bulgaria.

The HEI PLADI project aims at developing, testing and implementing a higher education learning program structured on flexible learning paths providing packages of knowledge on plant diversity evaluation, conservation and management. The project also aims to enhance the curriculum with opportunities and experiences related to the EU eco-labour market and green jobs.  The project will help to develop an innovative integrated strategy with the help of ICT for learning, teaching and practice.

During the first year, it is envisaged that meetings involving each partner country are held to discuss and organize the course activities (i.e. comparing-integrating topics, methods, TIC (technology information communication) tools, evaluation methods, ECTS recognition and rules for students enrolment.

During the second year, the project is proposing a pilot course that will involve both virtual and physical mobility.  To this end the development of an e-learning platform will be one of the remits of the consortium partners. Physical mobility will allow for 30 students from each partner country to experience five days of practical activities in laboratories, herbaria, germplasm banks, botanic gardens as well as ecological studies through field work in participating partner countries. 

This physical mobility will extend to the third year which will also be dedicated to promoting the course to a wider audience.