Country: Spain

A light-weight approach to certify digital skills training as microcredentials in DEP projects

Best practices A light-weight approach to certify digital skills training as microcredentials in DEP projects Users: Training providers (public) | Training providers (private) | Theme: Accreditation and certification | Action: Education programmes/courses | Beneficiaries: Training providers (public) | Training providers (private)  EURIDICE EURIDICE Hans Akkermans Anna Bon In our DEP-project EURIDICE, we have designed a method for quality assurance of the digital skills trainings provided by our SME and other non-academic project partners. It is the desire, in the Digital Europe Program, of the EU Commission that all course providers are able to hand out to all learners/students (if they wish so) an official certificate stating their achievements in terms of learning outcomes, including the associated amount of work done by learners/students. This is called a microcredential. So the stakeholders are: non-academic training institutes, higher academic education institutes, trainees and students, the labor market in Europe. The challenge? The recognition of non-academic courses in Europe is still not formalised, despite the need to recognise micro-credentials for life-long learning. As starting point, the EU has described (see the European Union leaflet A European Approach to Micro-Credentials, updated Dec 2021) a set of standards to which courses need to comply, to become a microcredential. What is lacking here is the procedure for Quality Assurance. MicroCredentials certainly carry the risk of a further bureaucratisation of higher education with evermore forms to be filled in by staff, box-ticking “accountability” and layers of so-called managerial “control”. So it is important to uphold the autonomy and experience of academic, education and research staff as being leading here. And to state this explicitly in the procedures.The issue here is: how to do Quality Assurance of non-academic, non-accredited courses? And who is entitled to do so? The issue is how to formalise trust, knowledge and authority.In summary: How can we include the SME short-track training modules into academic curricula, or provide a valid certificate of quality to the trainees? How can we assess the quality of the educational offering from SMEs and non-academic partners in our DEP project? Our solution We propose a method of assessment of courses, which we call the EURIDICE MicroCredentials Approach. It starts with the establishment of a so-called MicroCredential Board of academic senior experts from universities, companies or sector organisations. Following the following QA (see below), they are entitled to hand out to training providers the right to add to the certificates they hand out to their learners/students a EURIDICE-level “stamp”, as it were: EURIDICE Quality-Assured MicroCredential. The QA procedure is as follows, to ensure transparency and simplicity: Course providers submit a description of a course to be accepted as a EURIDICE MicroCredential to the Board. The MicroCredential Board validates that this description satisfies the EU guidelines (see the template given in Annex I of the 2022 Council of Europe Recommendation (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022H0627(02)). As part of this, the MicroCredential Board validates that there is a quality assurance system in place, and if so what its nature is. In most cases this will be an existing and established one (accreditation systems, special appointed committee in place (e.g. exam committee), review or advisory boards etc.), and the MicroCredential Board simply references this. (Thus, we are not going to redo the quality assurance work itself!). In a few cases, if there is no defined (external) quality assurance system in place, the MicroCredential Board offers the facility to carry out a EURIDICE review. This takes place in the form of an academic peer review that is fully analogous to the peer review established quality system of research publications. Peer-review system[The role of a submitted course is thus analogous to a paper submitted to a journal or conference, the role of the MicroCredential Board is then analogous to the editorial board of a scientific journal, and it then acts upon the expert advice of appointed knowledgeable reviewers, to make an argued decision (accept or not).] Outcomes The EURIDICE project develops courses for students (international joint master DIGISOC, see https://digitalsociety4innovation.eu), plus self-standing modules for teachers and professionals in the sectors of Education, Culture and Communication. In order to speed up the microcredential work, all courses in the respective course catalogues are described following the European standard elements template provided in Annex I of the above-mentioned EU Council Recommendation of 16 June 2022. These course catalogues for students, teachers and professionals are produced and made public as upcoming (mid-term) deliverables. The idea is then that multiple courses (or even the catalogue as a whole) can be submitted in one go as a batch to the MicroCredential Board for consideration.Principle of proportionality: Both the MicroCredential course description template and the peer review mechanism make it possible to scale the course writing and review effort, in the same way that in research a 6-page conference article is handled differently in review effort than a whole PhD thesis or textbook. Key takeaways Our experience is that microcredentials are generally seen as a very complex issue. It is therefore advisable to keep things as simple as possible: A course description according to the European standard elements template (Annex I of the Council 2022 Recommendation) typically already contains the information that teachers would write anyway in any decent course description or study guide for students, so it is possible to avoid extra bureaucratic burdens for teaching staff. Course descriptions are to be concise, as usual in a study guide (per course no more than 1-2 pages, and a limited number of learning outcomes). Simplicity and flexibility of templates, formats and procedures is furthermore important in view of the need to respect (in fact, benefit from) the expertise and autonomy of staff, education and research, and to avoid a counter-productive top-down approach. Principle of subsidiarity: The MicroCredential Board has a (limited) validating role, it is not going to redo QA procedures when they are already institutionally in place (such as official exam boards or supervisory/advisory bodies). The peer review mechanism is intended as a back-up system when an institutional QA system does not (yet) exist. Uptake:

Accreditation under the European approach – Challenges arising from the different status of national implementation

Best practices Accreditation under the European approach – Challenges arising from the different status of national implementation Users: Training providers (public) | Training providers (private) | Theme: Accreditation and certification | Action: Education programmes/courses | Beneficiaries: Training providers (public) | Training providers (private)  DIGITAL4Business DIGITAL4Business Sophie Schulz Horacio Gonzales Velez Dietmar Janetzko   The aim of the Digital4Business (D4B) project is the conception and development of a joint Master’s degree program by four (originally six) European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): the National College of Ireland (Ireland), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Portugal), Università di Bologna (Italy), and Linköping Universitet (Sweden) in collaboration with partners from industry. One of the milestones in the project is the accreditation of the Master’s program. Here, the consortium opted for an accreditation procedure under the European Approach, an accreditation methodology developed specifically for joint programs. The European Approach was primarily chosen for reasons of efficiency. The main benefits of the European Approach are: (i) it facilitates external quality assurance through the application of common standards and guidelines, which leads to mutual recognition of the accreditation procedure across the participating countries; (ii) it significantly reduces the administrative and organizational burden by applying to one single accreditation body. The European Approach eliminates the need for multiple applications, assessments, and reviews, saving time and resources for institutions. Moreover, instead of undergoing separate accreditation processes in each participating country, joint programs can be assessed once against a common set of standards and with a joint site visit at only one institution/in only one country. Without the European Approach, all four HEIs would have had to carry out individual national accreditation procedures, which would have resulted in significantly more time and effort as well as much higher costs. The challenge? In the accreditation preparation phase, the D4B consortium learned that the European Approach accreditation will only be available and fully recognised in countries that have implemented the European Approach. As the European Approach is only a political commitment and not a legally binding agreement, it requires implementation at the national level. Regarding national implementation, the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) differentiates between three categories: 1) European Approach available to all HEIs, 2) European Approach available to some HEIs or only under specific conditions, 3) European Approach not available to HEIs. The consortium found that Ireland and Portugal fall under the second category and that the European Approach is available at these two institutions. However, this was not the case for Italy and Sweden as these two countries have not implemented the European Approach at national level, which means that a European Approach accreditation is not possible at any HEI from these countries. Our solution The fact that the European Approach is not available in all countries was solved by the decision that only the Ireland and Portugal (both countries have (partly) implemented the European Approach at national level) will be degree-awarding countries. The two HEIs from Sweden and Italy are still fully and actively engaged in the design, implementation and delivery of the program but only act as providing (i.e. non-awarding) institutions. Outcomes The Master’s program was initially accredited with requirements. The accreditation procedure was carried out by ASIIN, a European registered accreditation agency, applying the European Approach. The fulfilment of requirements was completed after six months, which was six months before the official deadline. The Master’s program received full accreditation for a period of six years, which corresponds to the recommendations of the European Approach procedures. Valid until 30 September 2030, the final D4B accreditation is recorded in EQAR Key takeaways HEIs should inform themselves about the national accreditation requirements at an early stage (possibly even before a proposal is submitted). All (academic) partners should have a high degree of flexibility (e.g. with regard to internal resource and budget allocation) in order to be able to react to unexpected problems or changing conditions. This is a lesson learned of particular importance within the D4B project as the consortium had to compensate for the loss of two of the (initially) six universities in the middle of the accreditation process. One had decided to withdraw from the consortium and only remain as an associated partner. The other one was no longer suitable as an academic partner as it was lacking official recognition as a university by the state/ministry. The loss of the two academic partners meant that the modules that had been developed by them had to be redistributed among the four remaining universities. Fortunately, the redistribution worked smoothly thanks to the close cooperation and solution-oriented approach of all partners. Ultimately, the redistribution of modules served as a good opportunity to revise and update the module content. When choosing the European Approach, the consortium, and particularly the academic partners, must be clear from the very outset that this is a joint effort that requires close cooperation, a great deal of coordination, very good planning, and a well-thought-out distribution of responsibilities and tasks. It is very important that all (academic) partners contribute to this joint procedure, in particular for drafting and compiling the necessary documentation to be included in the self-evaluation report. Even if, as mentioned above, the European Approach was chosen for reasons of efficiency and because of the lower administrative burden, the effort involved in preparing a (successful) accreditation procedure should not be underestimated. Compiling the extensive set of application documents is not only very time-consuming, but also reveals some of the content-related, formal and organizational challenges that arise when several higher education institutions from different countries jointly develop and deliver a degree program. The consortium should be very aware of this effort and the high workload from the outset and allow sufficient preparation time (including improvement loops etc.). Learn more here

Bringing Industry to the Classroom: Expert Conferences Connecting Students with Digital Twin Innovation

Best practices Bringing Industry to the Classroom: Expert Conferences Connecting Students with Digital Twin Innovation Users: Training providers (public) | Training providers (private) | Theme: Industry engagement | Action: Education programmes/courses | Beneficiaries: Training providers (public) | Training providers (private) | SMEs | Industry | Learners (non-STEM background) | Learners (STEM background) DIGITWIN4CIUE – Digital Twins for Complex Infrastructures and Urban Ecosystems DIGITWIN4CIUE Beatriz Martin Bautista Cerro Rocío López Espinosa Digital twins represent a rapidly growing field in the built environment. Their adoption by private and public sectors highlights the need for professionals who understand both the technical and strategic value these tools bring to infrastructure planning, design, construction, and operation. To meet this need, the European project DIGITWIN4CIUE aims to “foster collaboration: build a culture of cooperation between academia and industry to drive innovation and develop sustainable, efficient construction practices”. This vision is realised through the Entrepreneurship Pillar of its Centre of Excellence, which promotes initiatives bridging academic knowledge and professional innovation. A flagship action is the Executive Master’s in Digital Twins for Infrastructures and Cities, a specialised programme for professionals and engineers in civil engineering, smart cities, and related fields. It offers training in advanced digital technologies, preparing participants to design, implement, and manage innovative solutions across the infrastructure lifecycle. This academic offer meets labour market needs and supports ongoing professional development, helping organisations stay at the forefront of technological progress. The challenge? In an increasingly competitive environment, with a growing academic offering and rapid technological advancement, prospective students are becoming more discerning in their choice of programmes. Attracting top talent is therefore a strategic priority for the success and sustainability of the DIGITWIN4CIUE project, and an opportunity to strengthen its position as a leader in innovation and digitalisation in the infrastructure sector. This situation posed a challenge during the design of the master’s programme. The aim was to ensure it stood out by combining high-quality education with the practical application of cutting-edge technologies, while aligning with the real needs of the labour market. At the same time, a key question emerged: how can we attract students by offering a programme that is up-to-date, dynamic, and aligned with scientific and technological innovation? Our solution As a response to the identified challenge, the Executive Master’s in Digital Twins for Infrastructures and Cities established the Conference Cycle: a series of public sessions led by global experts that go beyond the conventional applications of digital twins. These events delve into real-world use cases across a variety of sectors—including structural assessment of infrastructures (such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, and dams), transport and mobility, the construction industry, hydrology, and energy. The sessions provide valuable insights into how digital twins can improve asset maintenance, enable data-driven decision-making, and increase resource efficiency. The conferences are held on a biweekly basis, in both virtual and in-person formats, across the five partner universities delivering the master’s programme. Through this initiative, students benefit from continuous exposure to industry leaders, researchers, and professionals, allowing them to: Engage directly with key stakeholders in the field; Gain up-to-date knowledge on the latest developments in digital twin technologies; Participate in discussions that bridge academic learning with real-world industry demands. Outcomes This initiative has successfully created a dynamic learning and knowledge-transfer environment by bringing master’s students into direct contact with leading voices in the field. The Conference Cycle has featured guest speakers from renowned institutions such as the University of Colorado Boulder (USA), Technische Universität Dresden and Universität der Bundeswehr München (Germany), and Edinburgh Napier University (United Kingdom), as well as from prominent companies and organisations including ARUP, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), AdvaNet Hungary, SENER, and Bentley Systems, among others. As a result, the master’s programme has gained increasing international visibility. This is evidenced by the significant growth of our communication and outreach channels – driven largely by the Conference Cycle – with over 3,000 followers on LinkedIn and approximately 10,000 views on YouTube. Notably, more than 80% of prospective students now discover the programme through one of these two key platforms. The initiative has also fostered a learning environment centred on continuous development, where students are encouraged to engage in meaningful knowledge exchange beyond formal assessments, driven by curiosity, critical thinking, and professional ambition. In addition, the in-person sessions of the Conference Cycle provide valuable networking opportunities, enabling students to connect directly with guest speakers during dedicated engagement moments. These face-to-face interactions are essential for building professional networks, exploring career trajectories, and stimulating future collaborations within the fast-evolving digital twin ecosystem. Key takeaways Schedule integration within academic hours: Embedding Conference Cycle sessions within the master’s regular timetable ensures consistent student attendance and reinforces their value as an essential component of the learning experience. Bridge between industry and academia: Favor direct interaction with industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers aligns academic learning with real-world market needs, enhancing students’ readiness for professional challenges and supporting their career development. Include student’s participation at the Conference Cycle: Include student’s participation directly at the Conference help students to keep themselves highly motivated and disciplined throughout the course. Learn more here

Bringing Industry to the Classroom: Expert Conferences Connecting Students with Digital Twin Innovation

Best practices Bringing Industry to the Classroom: Expert Conferences Connecting Students with Digital Twin Innovation Users: SMEs, Training providers (public), Training providers (private), Industry | Theme: Indsustry Engagement | Action: Education programmes/courses | Beneficiaries: SMEs | Labour force (employed) DIGITWIN4CIUEDIGITWIN4CIUE Beatriz Martin Bautista Cerro DIGITWIN4CIUE, through the European Center of Excellence in Digitalization of Infrastructures and Cities, offers an Executive Master’s in Digital Twins for Infrastructures and Cities. This program features a flexible academic structure, attracting professionals from various disciplines in the built environment industry.Designed for professionals and engineers passionate about digital transformation in civil engineering, smart cities, and related fields, our program provides comprehensive training in key digital technologies for digital twins in infrastructures. It equips participants with the ability to conceive and develop digital twins to tackle specific challenges in infrastructure planning, design, construction, operation, and management, while also fostering the skills needed to identify business opportunities arising from digital twin technology.The Joint Institutional Executive Master diploma is issued by three of Europe’s top engineering universities: UPM (Spain), ENPC (France), BME (Hungary) and ITU (Turkey). The challenge? How can we ensure that students not only learn about Digital Twins in class but also engage with cutting-edge innovation, industry advancements, and real-world applications?Creating direct connections between students, researchers, and professionals is key to fostering career opportunities, expanding networks, and shaping a future-ready workforce. Our solution To bridge this gap, we established a structured series of expert-led conferences throughout the academic year. These sessions take place every two weeks in both online and in-person formats and are hosted across the five partner universities delivering the master’s program.Through this initiative, students benefit from continuous exposure to industry leaders, researchers, and professionals, allowing them to:• Engage directly with key players in the field• Gain insights into the latest advancements in Digital Twin technology• Participate in discussions that link academic learning with real industry needs Outcomes This initiative fosters a growth-focused learning environment, where students exchange knowledge beyond exams and assessments—driven by curiosity and professional development.Additionally, the in-person conferences enhance networking opportunities, giving students the chance to interact first-hand with guest speakers during dedicated networking sessions. These moments are crucial for establishing connections, exploring career paths, and sparking future collaborations in the rapidly evolving Digital Twin ecosystem. Key takeaways ‘Structured & Recurring Industry Engagement: Organizing expert-led conferences every two weeks ensures continuous exposure to industry leaders and real-world applications, keeping students engaged with cutting-edge advancements.Bridging Academia & Industry: Direct interaction with industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers aligns academic learning with market needs, enhancing career readiness and professional development.Networking & Career Development: Dedicated networking sessions provide students with valuable opportunities to connect with professionals, explore career paths, and foster collaborations in the Digital Twin ecosystem. Learn more here

DIS4SME: Fostering Skills in Location Data Interoperability for the Digital Transformation of SMEs

Best practices Fostering Skills in Location Data Interoperability for the Digital Transformation of SMEs Users: Training providers (public) | Training providers (private) | SMEs | Theme: Programme development | Action: Education programmes/courses | Beneficiaries: SMEs | Labour force (employed) DIS4SMEdis4sme.eu Mayte Toscano The Level “Digital transformation and data interoperability are fundamental pillars of the European Union’s strategy for global competitiveness. The European Data Strategy and the European Digital Strategy seek to create a single market for data, promoting digital sovereignty, accessibility to open data and cross-border cooperation in key sectors such as mobility, agriculture and urban planning.At a legislative level, the EU has adopted several key regulations to ensure secure and equitable access to data: Data Governance Act (DGA): mechanisms to improve the availability of data and regulates the reuse of sensitive public data. Data Act (Data Act): equitable access and use of data generated in the EU, promoting interoperability and innovation. INSPIRE Directive: legal framework for interoperability and accessibility of geospatial data. European Common Data Spaces: data exchange platforms in key sectors. In this framework, location data plays a fundamental role in urban planning, mobility, agriculture and other key sectors. However, SMEs still find it difficult to benefit from these initiatives due to a lack of training and adequate resources. The challenge? Despite the solid regulatory framework and the opportunities offered by the data economy, many European SMEs face significant barriers to the adoption of interoperable solutions: Lack of knowledge and technical skills Lack of awareness of European open data and location standards (INSPIRE, OGC, ISO) or how to apply them Disconnect between regulations and business adoption Lack of alignment between national and European regulations Fragmentation in data governance Complex administrative procedures Resource, money and time constraints According to reports from the OECD and the European Commission, the digital divide between large companies and SMEs is growing, with many small businesses lagging behind in terms of access to and use of digital technologies. Our solution DIS4SME has developed a comprehensive approach based on: Programmes of specific training in location data interoperability, with different modules for managers and technicians. These courses, aimed at managers, technicians and job seekers, cover topics such as: Mobile food market Digital agriculture Social monitoring of road conditions 3D, BIM, Digital Twins for urban planning Learning strategies adapted, with short courses, interactive seminars and digital platforms that allow flexible access to the content. Collaboration with digital innovation hubs to promote synergies between companies, institutions and regulatory bodies. Sector-specific business cases, addressing interoperability in strategic sectors such as precision agriculture, smart mobility and urban planning. Outcomes Development of a curriculum based on 30 Horizontal Learning Outcomes: This structured set of training objectives has made it possible to adapt the content to the specific needs of both managers and technicians in SMEs, guaranteeing the coherence and scalability of the programme. The use of e-learning modules, video tutorials, webinars and practical workshops has provided flexible and accessible training, adapted to the different profiles and availability of SMEs. The initiative has fostered the creation of synergies between SMEs, digital innovation hubs and public bodies, promoting the exchange of knowledge and the adoption of best practices. The bottom-up methodology, based on gathering feedback from participants, has allowed the training content to be refined and optimised, ensuring that the educational offering adjusts to the real demands of the business environment. SMEs have been strengthened to face the challenges of digital transformation, facilitating their integration into the European market and the adoption of solutions based on open data. Key takeaways Adaptability of the training approach: The model of short, modular courses with flexible access allows managers, technicians and job seekers to acquire knowledge without interrupting their daily responsibilities. Public-private collaboration: The participation of digital innovation hubs, regulatory bodies and SMEs has been key to ensuring that the courses respond to the real needs of the sector. Use of open standards: Incorporating standards such as INSPIRE, OGC and ISO facilitates data interoperability and ensures that SMEs can integrate into the digital economy without relying on proprietary solutions. Focus on strategic sectors: Designing courses around real business cases (digital agriculture, mobility, urban planning) makes learning applicable and replicable in different industries. Scalability and replicability: The model can be expanded to other sectors and European countries, adapting to different levels of knowledge and the specific needs of SMEs. 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SME involvement in master’s programme design: development of engagement models

Best practices SME involvment in master’s programme design: development of engagement models Users: Training Providers (Public) | Theme: Industry Engagement | Action: Education Programmes/Courses | Beneficiaries: Training Providers (Public), Training Providers (Private)   AI and Health aiandhealth.eu Baran Bayindir, CEO, Smart Lab Partner AI and Health offers a double master’s degree across France, Spain, Italy, and Sweden, integrating AI technologies into healthcare, biology and medicine. To ensure the quality and relevance of the content in such a dynamic field requires the involvement of domain experts and key industry actors. These actors can provide links to the latest advancements in the field and real-life use case that can be incorporated in the curriculum.   The challenge? A key challenge in the AI and Health programme was ensuring the early involvement of skilled talent and SMEs in the programme design. Delays in engaging industry actors hindered the ability to establish necessary operational steps and align academic content with real-world industry needs. Without early planning, maintaining SME participation and ensuring long-term programme effectiveness became difficult. Our solution Hands-on Training with Industry Experts: SMEs were actively involved in course creation, and industry professionals were integrated into the training staff, ensuring that content remained relevant to real-world applications in AI and healthcare. Integrated Micro-Credentials & Digital Certification: The programme was designed around micro-credentials and digital certification systems, enhancing industry recognition and promoting professional participation. Key takeaways Raise Awareness Through Events: Regularly host collaborative events bringing together academia and industry, in order to promote cross-sector engagement and help align academic programmes with industry needs. Prepare Engagement Models in Advance: Develop structured SME engagement models that introduce companies to study courses early. Allowing for better integration of industry requirements into the programme. Learn more here Submit your practice Case Summary– Context: Fit4internet is a non-profit initiative aimed at enhancing digital literacy across Austria. By using the Digital Competence Framework (DigComp AT), which identifies key components of digital competencies and aligns with European standards, Fit4internet helps individuals showcase their digital skills. The Fit4internet platform offers a way to track and prove digital competencies, helping with employability and ensuring that the Austrian workforce has the necessary ICT skills to meet market demands. Through the digital skills profile platform, the initiative supports both individual growth and the development of a digitally capable society.  Challenge: The challenge faced is managing proof of competencies acquired through various learning methods, including formal education, non-formal training, and informal certifications, which can lead to inconsistent records.  Securing sustainable funding to support the continuous development of new digital competencies, ensuring that programs remain up-to-date with evolving market needs. The second main challenge was fostering broad participation and engagement, especially among groups who may lack access to digital tools or education. Identified Approach / Solution: The Fit4internet platform provides a centralised, user-friendly system to manage and showcase digital competencies, aligning with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Through this platform, individuals can track and showcase their digital skills, making it easier for employers, educators, and organisations to assess their talent. The platform allows users to create an e-portfolio that showcases their digital skills, with the option to share it through a link or as a PDF. This portfolio highlights the digital competencies that a user has acquired, linked to their certificates. These certificates can be formal, non-formal, or informal. The platform also supports the generation of a digital skills profile that showcases the user’s acquired skills. Users earn digital badges as a visual representation of their skills. This allows them to continue with their learning journey, while showing off their competencies to others. Outcomes:       Key takeaways: Fit4internet engage multiple stakeholders from academia, industry, and policy to develop holistic and relevant digital competency frameworks. They also use widely applied frameworks to measure skills gaps, enabling better planning for individuals and institutions. By doing this they improve reinsertion rates into the labor force by addressing individuals digital skill gaps and aligning them with market needs. This benefits companies by providing clear insights into the skillsets that are being developed and that are available in the workforce.

Incorporating automated tools and analysis in master’s programme design

MERIT is developing master’s degrees and short-term with the participation of NGOs, non-profits, research organisations, companies and SMEs. These are delivered by technical universities across Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Italy and Spain.

Courses in domains such as AI, cybersecurity and IoT become quickly outdated and projects like MERIT need resilient methods for easily building new content. Establishing an intangible infrastructure which allows for this is key to the project’s sustainability.

Industry-oriented hackathon to drive SME involvement in master programme design

MERIT is developing master’s degrees and short-term courses in AI, cybersecurity and IoT, with the participation of NGOs, non-profits, research organisations, companies and SMEs. These are delivered by technical universities across Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Italy and Spain.

Having consistent, hands-on engagement from industry is fundamental to the project’s operational model and objectives.