The Erasmus+ project DIGITAsia – Digital Transformation of Asian Higher Education consortium held its second project meeting in the Maldives from 27 to 30 October 2025. The event was jointly hosted by the Maldives National University (MNU), the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), and Villa College Maldives (VCM), bringing together representatives from partner institutions across Europe and Asia to review progress, share experiences, and plan the next phase of project implementation.
THE CONSORTIUM MEETING
Over four days, the consortium conducted a series of focused sessions and workshops addressing key components of the DIGITAsia project.
The meeting kicked off with an insightful briefing by Full. Prof. Igor Balaban, Ph.D., project coordinator from University of Zagreb Faculty of Organization and Informatics (FOI), Croatia, who shared updates on the project’s progress across various work packages, setting the stage for collaborative discussions and planning ahead.
As part of the DIGITAsia Project Training Programme, FOI led a hands-on Capstone Project Workshop guiding participants in redesigning academic subjects using Education 5.0 principles and integrating digital technologies to create effective hybrid learning environments.
The Capstone Project Workshop, led by Assoc. Prof. Goran Hajdin, Ph. D. from FOI, gathered a total of 54 participants from Asian partner institutions who presented their work. These projects showcased modules redesigned using Education 5.0 and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) frameworks, providing a dynamic platform for peer feedback, collaboration, and innovation in inclusive, tech-enabled course design.
Partners also participated in a reflective session on the Training Programme, sharing experiences from self-paced learning activities conducted earlier in the project. The discussion emphasized hybrid course design, staff capacity building, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning across institutions.
The Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Spain, led a session on the Digital Teaching Framework and Toolkit, presenting innovative methods to support educators in designing and delivering digitally enhanced learning experiences aligned with Education 5.0.
As part of the event, VCM, MNU, and IUM also presented their Pilot Methodologies and Implementation Plans, outlining strategies to integrate digital transformation practices into teaching environments. The session highlighted collaborative efforts to establish a sustainable framework that empowers educators and drives innovation across higher education institutions in Asia.
In addition to the technical sessions, the project team met with the senior management of MNU, IUM, and VCM, further strengthening institutional collaboration and ensuring the long-term sustainability of project outcomes.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Coordinated by FOI, the DIGITAsia project unites nine partner institutions from Europe and Asia committed to advancing the digital transformation of higher education: Open University of Catalonia (Spain), Maldives National University, Islamic University of Maldives and Villa College (Maldives), SLT Campus and University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysia).
Funded under the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, DIGITAsia runs until 31 October 2027 with a total grant of €719,634. Its goal is to enhance digital competencies, support hybrid learning models, and foster educational innovation guided by Education 5.0 principles.
The consortium meeting in the Maldives marked a key milestone in the project’s implementation, reinforcing the partners’ shared commitment to driving digital innovation and pedagogical excellence across Asian higher education.