Virtual Institute for the Modelling of Industrial Manufacturing Systems (VIMIMS) - implementation of an international platform for teaching and research

The aim of an ongoing research project carried out by six European research and educational institutions is to establish a Virtual Institute for the Modelling of Industrial Manufacturing Systems (VIMIMS). The virtual institute is designed to become an international platform for teaching and research for this particular scientific field. VIMIMS is an Internet-based portal that offers students and researchers from around the globe opportunities to study, teach, research and communicate. The platform consists of three sections that are modelled on the structure of a real university: the "lecture theatres" contain custom-designed courses on the subject of manufacturing systems modelling; the "laboratory" allows practical explorations of the theory through the use of current software applications; and the "library" provides comprehensive records of Internet links and online material related to the field. Auxiliary functions of the Internet site, the VIMIMS chat and forum, facilitate communication amongst students and researchers. The modular design of the VIMIMS courses is a special feature of the virtual institute that allows their customisation according to particular requirements.