The course was developed and implemented on the FOI Online Learning Portal (learn.foi.hr) as a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), consisting of four self-paced modules and a final project. It focuses on modern teaching approaches, inclusivity, the use of digital technologies and learning analytics, and course quality assurance. So far, 60 teacher-trainers have successfully completed the programme and earned certificates, preparing them to conduct training at their home institutions in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. Over the next year, training will be provided for an additional 200 teachers, who will redesign their courses according to the principles of Education 5.0, involving more than 1,500 students in the delivery of courses shaped by modern digital and inclusive pedagogical practices.
The DIGITAsia project, coordinated by Prof. Igor Balaban, Ph.D. from the Faculty of Organization and Informatics, brings together nine partner institutions from Europe and Asia, including the Open University of Catalonia (Spain), Maldives National University, Islamic University of Maldives, Villa College (Maldives), SLT Campus and University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysia). The project is funded through the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, runs until 31 October 2027, and has a total budget of €719,634. Its goal is to enhance teachers’ digital competencies, support the development of hybrid learning models, and foster innovation in higher education in line with the principles of Education 5.0.
The project consortium meeting was held last month across three Maldivian universities – Maldives National University (MNU), Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), and Villa College Maldives (VCM) – where project partners discussed progress and future implementation plans through a series of thematic sessions. Prof. Igor Balaban, Ph.D. (FOI) presented the project’s results and plans for the upcoming period, while Assoc. Prof. Goran Hajdin, Ph.D. led the final “Capstone Project Workshop” within the teacher training programme. The workshop brought together over 50 participants who presented redesigned courses aligned with Education 5.0 and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Assistant Marko Matus (FOI) also participated, having previously implemented the full MOOC in the Moodle LMS.
The DIGITAsia project continues to make a strong impact on advancing digital competencies and improving the quality of higher education across the Asian region, while FOI once again confirms its role as a regional leader in digital education transformation.
