LA-CoNGA physics: an Open Science Collaboration in Advanced Physics between Latin-America and Europe

TL;DR

LA-CoNGA physics is a collaborative international project that modernizes advanced physics education in Latin America through virtual teaching, research networks, and international partnerships, adapting effectively to pandemic challenges.

Contribution

This project introduces a novel virtual collaboration model for advanced physics education in Latin America, integrating European expertise and adapting pedagogical strategies during COVID-19.

Findings

Supported 67 students across four countries with 100 lectures.

Successfully adapted to remote learning with minimal bandwidth connectivity.

Established a sustainable international physics education network.

Abstract

LA-CoNGA physics (for Latin-American alliance for Capacity buildiNG in Advance physics) is an ERASMUS+ project aiming to support the modernization of university infrastructure and its pedagogical offer in advanced physics in four Latin-American countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Per\'u and Venezuela. This project is co-funded by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission. This virtual teaching and research network comprises three partner universities in Europe and eight in Latin America; high-level scientific partners (CEA, CERN, CNRS, DESY, ICTP), and several and two industrial partners. During 2019 we prepared the syllabuses and selected the lecturers. In 2020 the strict lockdowns modified our pedagogical strategies. The planned model -- an eight-node network of universities made-up by local groups for discussions -- was transformed into low-quality home participation. We simplified the connectivity requirements to the minimum bandwidth to operate remote labs. We also changed the lecture interaction and evaluation model, balancing the teamwork on course projects and continuous evaluation based on class exercises. Despite the lockdown scenario, we managed to support the needs of our instrumentation and computing courses thanks to the contribution and enthusiasm of our partners. With the support of 30 instructors, we gave 100 lectures to 67 students in four countries. We are now promoting the second cohort due to start in January 2022