Higher Education and International Cooperation. A collaborative project of Master Design in Advanced Digital Literacy

The European Commission is steadfast in its mission to develop a high-performance digital education ecosystem and enhance digital skills for digital transformation (European Commission, 2021; 2023). By equipping students to be active participants and contributors in a digitally driven world, the Commission is not only fostering a more inclusive and progressive society (Dallmann, 2021), but also laying the foundation for a future where digital literacy is a societal norm, benefiting all (Van Laar, Van Deursen, Van Dijk, De Haan, 2017). The European University Association’s (EUA, 2021) goal of creating sustainable, inclusive, and engaged educational environments (Claeys-Kulik & Jørgensen, 2018) focuses on interdisciplinary learning, enhancing education delivery and access through digital advancements. This approach equips students with essential digital skills relevant to contemporary and future job markets, supporting lifelong learning and adaptability (Panciroli & Rivoltella, 2023). This paper reports on the case study of the Digital4Business (D4B) project, which is part of the Digital Europe Programme 2021-2022. This Programme aims to provide funding for projects to ensure the widespread use of digital technologies in the economy and society. The focus will be on four key aspects of developing barrier-free, responsive, and future-oriented higher education (Schwittay, 2021). The D4B project exemplifies a transformative approach to higher education by aligning academic programs with the dynamic demands of the digital job market. Initiated in 2022, D4B incorporates real-world challenges into the learning process focused on key areas such as Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Blockchain, ensuring that students gain competencies crucial for the digital economy.