YEBO! Second Training in Pretoria

March 26, 2019

 YEBO partners from Europe and South Africa are meeting in Pretoria from 26th to 29th of March to participate in a series of Workshops on “Towards institutional structures that support the complete PhD life cycle”.
 
The starting point of this workshop is that internationalization of PhD studies is a shared institutional responsibility. In order to make each PhD experience more international institutions need to make sure that all phases of the PhD life cycle are adequately supported: before embarking on a PhD candidates need to have access to information and services with regard to funding and international mobility; their registration at the university should be free of any unnecessary barriers. 

Although the full PhD life cycle and all possible structures (on the institutional level as well as in the faculties) will be taken into consideration during the workshop, particular attention will be given to the following two topics: (1) structures/services (e.g. IROs) to support international mobility and collaboration on PhD level; (2) structures/services (e.g. Doctoral Schools) to enhance the international quality of the PhD research. 

About YEBO Developing Internationalization of PhD studies in South Africa Erasmus+ Capacity building project 

This project has been funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union in October 2017. YEBO! is a Capacity Building Project aiming to help with the modernization, the accessibility and the internationalization of higher education in the partners’ countries. The general objective of YEBO! project is to foster and develop the internationalization of doctoral studies in South Africa. 

The project aims to achieve in 3 years: 
– the increase of awareness of the current situation and challenges of PhD internationalization activity (Report published in June 2018); 
– the improvement of the skills of South African universities concerning the internationalization of PhD Studies via 4 training sessions; 
– to facilitate the access to information concerning funding, mobility, and administrative procedures of PhD programs via a dedicated Web Platform; 
– to promote the internationalization of PhD studies in South Africa and Europe via 4 conferences. 

Partners 
University of Montpellier, France 
University of Cape Town, South Africa 
University Stellenbosch, South Africa 
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa 
University of Pretoria, South Africa 
University of Western Cape, South Africa 
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa 
Central University of Technology, South Africa 
Ghent University, Belgium 
Uppsala University, Sweden 
Vilnius Gedimino Technikos Universitetas, VGTU, Lithuania 
Technische Universität Berlin, Germany 
French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, CIRAD, France 
European University Association, Belgium 
Coimbra Group, Belgium
 

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New doctoral dissertation
New doctoral dissertation
VILNIUS TECH Library invites you to follow the published new dissertations. The dissertation „Resistance of technological waste-modified concrete to freeze–thaw cycles and alkaline corrosion“  („Technologinėmis atliekomis modifikuoto betono atsparumas užšaldymo ir atšildymo ciklams bei šarminei korozijai“) prepared at VILNIUS TECH by Edvinas Pocius. The dissertation was prepared in 2021–2026. Scientific consultant – Prof. Dr Džigita Nagrockienė. The dissertation was defended at the public meeting of the Dissertation Defence Council of the Scientific Field of Materials Engineering in the Aula Doctoralis Meeting Hall of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University at 10 a.m. on 8 June 2026. The dissertation investigates concrete modified with glass processing waste, concrete sludge, and a crystallizing additive. The goal is to develop concrete that is resistant to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction (ASR) by replacing part of the cement with glass waste and sand with concrete sludge. By selecting the optimal amount of technological waste, the aim is to improve the basic properties of concrete while maintaining its resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction. The tasks addressed in the work include the analysis of glass processing waste and concrete sludge, evaluating their impact on the properties of the cement paste. After determining the recommended waste content, the physical and mechanical properties of the modified concrete are investigated, focusing on resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction. This research sequence aims to substantiate the basic properties and resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction of the newly developed material. The dissertation consists of an introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, a list of references, a list of the author‘s scientific publications, and a summary in English. The Introduction discusses the research problem and relevance, describes the object of research, formulates the aim and tasks, and outlines the research methodology, scientific novelty, practical significance, and statements for defence. The First Chapter discusses active mineral substances, their formation and use in concrete production. It discusses the generation of concrete sludge and glass waste, as well as the impact of their use on the physical and mechanical properties and durability of concrete. The durability of waste-modified concrete and the assessment of carbon dioxide emissions are also described. Conclusions are formulated, and the objectives of the dissertation are refined at the end of the chapter. The Second Chapter presents the materials used, their properties, and their formation. It describes the research methods and equipment chosen to investigate the structure and properties of the concrete and to calculate its CO2 emissions. The Third Chapter substantiates recommended dosages of glass waste and concrete sludge and their effects on cementitious systems. Glass waste was found suitable for cement replacement, and dry sludge for fine aggregate. An environmental impact assessment was also performed. Five scientific articles were published on the dissertation topic in the Web of Science database, Science Citation Index Expanded, peer-reviewed publications with a citation index. Doctoral dissertation readers can search via VILNIUS TECH Virtual Library.
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