University of Antwerp

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree in Sustainable and Resilient Pavement Engineering

The program is divided into four semesters:

• Semester 1: Organized at the University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) - Antwerp, Belgium.
• Semester 2: Organized by the three partner institutions (University of Palermo (UNIPA) - Palermo Italy; University of Minho (UMinho) - Guimarães, Portugal and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – Manipal, India. Each student can choose individually the track of specialisation.
• Semester 3: Focuses primarily on an industrial training project in pavement and online selective courses , aiming to prepare the students for the final dissertation.
• Semester 4: Dedicated to the completion of the dissertation.

International Mobility and Collaboration

A key feature of SURPAVE is its emphasis on international mobility and collaboration. Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to study and work in at least two different countries different from their country of residence and with various partner institutions (full or associated partners), enhancing their global perspective and professional network.

By integrating these elements, the Joint Master in “Sustainable and Resilient Pavement Engineering” aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to drive the future of pavement engineering towards sustainability and resilience.

Program content & structure

The Learning Outcomes of the Joint Master's “Sustainable and Resilient Pavement Engineering” provide a robust framework encompassing technical, environmental, social, and managerial aspects. They aim to train a critical pavement engineer in an international context with the following skills:

Technology Expert

T1. The Master demonstrates a broad comprehension of materials and technologies used as support for various pavement engineering technologies, as well as how to implement and collaborate with experts from these domains.

• The master demonstrates a comprehension of sustainable practices in pavement engineering, including recycling techniques, environmentally friendly materials, and energy-efficient designs.
• The master selects appropriate materials for pavement construction, understands their properties, and conducts material characterization tests. The master shows in-depth knowledge of materials used in pavement engineering, including asphalt, concrete, aggregates, and alternative materials, assessing their circularity, sustainability, and resilience properties
• The master selects appropriate analytical tools and techniques for evaluating pavement performance, including finite element analysis, pavement modeling and management, and simulation software and tools, such as BIM, AI, and VR.
• Policy and Regulations in Pavement Engineering in local and global context: Grasp the regulatory frameworks and policies governing pavement engineering, including sustainability standards, environmental regulations, and safety protocols.

T2. The master identifies and analyzes an advanced sustainable pavement problem and its subproblems in the broad context, local situations, and on up-to-date scientific knowledge and technical expertise in the field of sustainable pavement engineering.

• The master can identify and relate pavement conditions in the broad context of other users, surrounding residents and environment, local context of geotechnics, water management, and climate.
• The master demonstrates an in-depth comprehension of pavement engineering technologies, including advanced principles, theories, and methodologies.
• The master designs and analyzes various types of pavements, including flexible, rigid, and composite pavements, using advanced software tools and methodologies; the master uses of soil mechanics and its interaction with pavement structures, including the impact of subgrade conditions on pavement performance and local conditions.

T3. The master selects the most suitable approach to an advanced social-technical-environmental pavement engineering problem in a result-oriented manner, based on knowledge and technical expertise, while considering efficiency, sustainability, circularity, feasibility, and safety.

• The master uses knowledge of sustainable practices in pavement engineering, including recycling techniques, environmentally friendly materials in a local/global context, and energy-efficient designs. The master applies knowledge and methodologies to define and create concrete circularity strategies in a project.
• The master can critically evaluate, analyze various pavement engineering problems, considering environmental, economic, and social factors, and acquire proficiency in applying engineering principles to solve complex pavement-related issues, including durability, load-bearing capacity, and sustainability
• The master controls the tools for the evaluation of durability, stability, and service life of a road structure, next to the circularity of the materials and structure.

T4. The master utilizes available multidisciplinary knowledge, expertise, and skills to develop a creative and innovative solution for an advanced technical problem specific to sustainable and resilient pavement engineering, and takes into account environmental and social impact

• The master applies sustainable design principles, considering life cycle assessments, circular economy, environmental impact, and resource efficiency to develop an advanced design, taking into account the constraints and uncertainties of the project in the context of sustainable pavement engineering, considering general sustainability aspects, life cycle assessments, circular economy, environmental impact, and resource efficiency.
• The master designs pavements resilient to various stressors like climate change, heavy traffic, temperature variations, and natural disasters through innovative design methodologies and materials
• The master knows of and can apply strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on pavements and adapt designs to changing environmental conditions such as increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels.
• The master takes into account broader impact of pavements such as Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment, Urban planning, road design, and ecosystems. Understand the broader implications of pavement engineering on ecosystems, communities, and public health, and learn methodologies for assessing and minimizing adverse impacts. The need for infiltration of rainwater into the soil. The multiple functions of a road in the future.

T5. The master manages pavement engineering projects in a holistic way, with attention to economy, ecology, ethics, sustainability, climate, quality, environment, safety, well-being, and circularity aspects.

• The master uses skills in project planning, execution, and management specific to pavement engineering projects, encompassing budgeting, resource allocation, and risk assessment.

Citizen in an international context, teamworker, communicator, and ethical guardian

C1: The master takes into account the current societal, international, and global context in actions, with attention to ecology, economy, ethics, sustainability, climate, and the environment.

• The master understands and applies the global context of pavement engineering, considering different infrastructural needs, environmental impacts, and regional variations.

The master is familiar with diverse societies, is aware of their own frame of reference, and acts respectfully and inclusively. The master integrates gender equality and diversity considerations into their professional processes.

• The master understands and applies the ethical implications of engineering decisions and demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and accountability in their professional context.

C3: The master applies essential social and communication skills to constructively assume various roles or responsibilities within a team.

• The master conveys technical information and complex situations effectively to diverse audiences through technical reports, presentations, and publications.
• The master collaborates effectively within multidisciplinary and international teams, harnessing diverse perspectives to solve engineering challenges and achieve shared goals in a global context.

C4: The master fosters collaboration among diverse disciplines such as civil engineering, material science, transportation engineering, and environmental engineering to address complex pavement challenges.

Professional

P1: The master communicates about their own discipline in multiple languages, verbally, in writing, and graphically, appropriately, effectively, and correctly, both with experts and laypeople.

• The master employs the necessary skills to systematically and efficiently manage a project and accurately assess the impact of that project.

P2: The master is aware of their own competence level and proactively engages in potential learning opportunities aimed at personal and professional growth.

• The master cultivates a mindset of perpetual learning and adaptability to evolving technologies and methodologies over the course of their careers.

P3: The master argues clearly and purposefully, taking into account different perspectives and striving for a well-supported decision.

Researcher in a Global Context

R1: The master collects, processes, and synthesizes relevant data, technical, and/or scientific information in a critical and goal-oriented manner.

• The master recognizes, dissects, and resolves intricate problems by employing critical thinking and innovative approaches.
• The master controls both quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques, including data analysis and modeling aimed at addressing societal challenges.

R2: The master designs a research or development plan creatively, meticulously, and independently according to scientific methodology, selecting the appropriate methodology in a substantiated manner.

R3: The master critically and efficiently executes a research or development plan, demonstrating an investigative mindset aimed at the valorisation and innovation of solutions:

• The master creates a plan through research, performs experiments, and fosters innovation to contribute to new knowledge or advancements.
• The master learns and applies innovative construction methods and technologies for sustainable and resilient pavement installation, maintenance, and rehabilitation.
• The master cultivates the ability to conduct independent research, innovate, and contribute to advancements in sustainable and resilient pavement technologies through academic or industry-focused projects.

R4: The master reports accurately and structurally, justifying the choices made and the chosen methods based on discipline-specific knowledge, expertise, and skills.