A distributed hands-on course on intelligent electrical systems

In a context of closer cooperation, six institutes of higher engineering education in Flanders teaching topics related to electrical power engineering and automation joined forces in designing and implementing a set of hands-on courses on different aspects of intelligent electrical systems (lighting, domotics, power electronics, EMC, …). It is based on sharing specialised knowledge and laboratory equipment at the different sites, and is available for all students via mobility of students and lecturers. The course combines laboratory hands-on sessions with an ICT-based learning environment. This paper discusses the approach and contents of the course, as well as the educational aspects. An implementation with more than 20 exchanges, yields positive feedback from students and lecturers and indicates that the students have a far better insight into the topics thanks to the shared dedicated knowledge and laboratory equipment.