START DATE
01.01.2024
END DATE
30.11.2026
FUNDING
Erasmus+ CBHE (Capacity Building in Higher Education)
LEAD PARTNER
UNIVERZITET CRNE GORE PODGORICA, Črna gora
PEF UM PARTICIPANTS
izr. prof. dr. Maja Hmelak, izr. prof. dr. Tomaž Bratina, izr. prof. dr. Jerneja Hercog in viš. pred. Miran Muhič
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Although the digitization process in the Western Balkans has gained momentum in recent years, as the education sector has been exposed to the introduction of online learning content due to COVID-19, numerous literature studies show that large digital divides and gaps hinder the educational efforts of many students and their families. This is particularly noticeable among students with physical and/or mental disabilities, many of whom do not attend university despite their talents, and among female students, who are much less likely than their male counterparts to enrol in technical study programmes, even though the digital transformation offers new opportunities for the economic empowerment of women and can contribute to greater gender equality. Therefore, digital competences, content, methods, and tools in higher education and university services need to be adapted to different groups of students to enable equal access to and completion of desired study programs. Taking action now to reverse these trends is extremely beneficial: greater inclusion of women in the digital economy and greater diversity among learners bring both social and economic value.
The HAWKING project bridges the digital divide by focusing on ensuring e-accessibility, digital enhancements and optimizations of existing and new support structures and services at university level, and the modernization of teaching and learning methods and tools that support the diverse needs of students in a digital environment. The project establishes various mechanisms that support a fair digital transition from secondary to higher education, improves the institutional and infrastructural environment at partner higher education institutions, and enhances teaching methodology in a way that will bridge the digital divide in education and student support. To enable a comprehensive impact, the HAWKING project aims to actively involve education leaders, teachers and non-teaching staff, students and parents.
Link to the project website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/rektorat/hawking
