The framework conditions for the 21st century economy and society, characterized by smart specialization, digitalization and concepts such as "green", "sustainable", "agile" and "lean", especially in the post-pandemic period, and the labor market's need for graduates, as well as the additional pressure on higher education institutions (HEIs), present a different development situation and challenges.
The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of digital education, and in particular the need to use digital technologies to teach and learn and develop digital skills. With the occurrence of the pandemic, WB HEIs found themselves completely unprepared for remote education, which required advanced digital skills. Some of the major problems that arose, in addition to the use of existing online learning platforms, were related to the methodology of teaching, the completion of projects with companies involving students and the unwillingness of companies to apply digital education. This problem has had and continues to have a significant impact on reducing the quality of teaching, and thus the quality of study programs.
This project addresses these new challenges and requirements for the modernization and partially or fully changing the curriculum of HEI’s. This concept was developed according to the expressed needs of companies identified with the help of the Chamber of Commerce in each partner country. In addition, secondary data was used to support the needs analysis.
Based on the the identified needs, the teaching material for 12 courses will be prepared (lectures and exercises). The lecturers will be prepared and instructed how to execute them and how to use the game accessories. Lectures will also be supported by best practice examples (solved on the base of knowledge gathered in at certain course) and supported with the collaboration with companies, where students and lecturers can see the implemented topic also in real life. This results in improving the quality of higher education and enhances its relevance for the labor market and society. The goal of this improvement is also to refine competences, skills and higher the employability of students. According to the results of this project the knowledge of the students will be much more directed to the needs of companies which will result in higher competitiveness of companies and its growth and also easier employability of students.