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The UbiLAB project aims at creating a framework for ubiquitous virtual, remote and software laboratories implemented in the cloud – UbiLAB.
The UbiLAB framework will enable new possibilities for digitizing actual laboratory experiments with hardware in the loop, set up at a remote site and so providing lab work experience as close as possible to real lab work, when mobility options are restricted.
The project is performed by three higher education organizations: The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (FEEIT) at the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, N. Macedonia as consortia coordinator, University of Maribor (UM FERI), Slovenia, and the Anhalt University (HSA), Germany. All three participants are highly skilled in the proposed activities that will be conducted to realize the project and have deepinsights into the challenges remote implementation of labs for control systems, systems administration and also hardware development.
The project envisions an innovative framework, designed to support different types of endpoints: hardware devices, virtual devices, software solutions. The UbiLAB framework will: present a foundation for a rich and diverse set of laboratory experiments; enable customizable modules supporting software and hardware exercises; promote collaborative engagement on several levels; be extensible as open-source software.
The planned activities enabling the fulfilment of the project goals comprise research and architecture design for the virtual laboratory framework; development of the core framework elements; design and implementation of software-based remote laboratories; design and implementation of hardware-based remote laboratories; and finally designing and publishing the UbiLAB framework multimedia manual and example exercises in order to disseminate the results and support the use of the framework.
After the successful realization of the project activities, we have used the laboratory to provide remote lab work for students at different universities in Ukraine, who are not able to study in presence due to the war situation in Ukraine and so the results can be directly approved and exploited in real academic education environment. So, the establishment of the UbiLAB framework contributes to the advancement of conducting laboratory experiments and research in the virtual world, strengthening Europe’s digital capacities.
The long-term impact will be the general improvement of the conditions of laboratory-based education and the modernization of existing educational practices. Furthermore, through the joint development, testing, and usage of the framework, we expect an increase in networking, collaboration, socialization and experience exchange among the participants.
Project site: UbiLAB
Project manager – Anastasiia Sapeha