CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND New and emerging digital disruptive technologies - such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Social Media, Big Data, Smart Devices, Internet of Things (IoT) - create new business challenges and change the traditional value creation paradigm. Industry 4.0 presents organizations with challenging problems requiring new approaches and solutions. Digitalization opens new opportunities and intensifies and accelerates the rate of innovation. The need for professionals able to develop and implement strategies and tactics addressing the digital transformation by businesses, organizations and governments is high and urgent. Not just hard, digital skills, but also soft skills to guide organizations through the whole process of digital transformation. However, the shortage of staff with specialized and multidisciplinary skills and knowledge is the biggest barrier for organizations. OBJECTIVES This project will address the shortage of ‘digital leaders’ by developing a 30 ECTS program (EQF 5-7) called ‘Managing Digital Transformation’ (MDT). The program will be designed for students AND professionals with a high interest in entrepreneurship and management, who possess a Bachelor's degree in a study as Economics, Communication, Business Administration, Education, Public Management, or a Bachelor's degree of a technical study. The program consists of six specializations of each 5 ECTS. These specializations will address the three core elements of the ‘leadership skills triangle’: technology, business/commerce and leadership. The multidisciplinary program will deliver digital leaders who can enable successful digital transformations, thereby contributing to the competitiveness of Europe and of individual organizations. CONSORTIUM The consortium, led by the University of Twente, consists of highly recognized experts who can bring all elements of the leadership skills triangle together into one program. The partners have expertise on digital transformation, change management, online learning, digital business, public management and innovation. They have a substantial research background on these domains. The mix of institutions from highly digitalized countries (e.g. the Netherlands) with institutions scoring lower in digital adoption (e.g. Greece) is important for the creation of a widely accessible MDT-program. Associated partner EIT Digital will support the consortium in promoting and implementing the MDT-program if the program fits to their partner needs and the implementation is financial feasible. METHODOLOGY The development of the “Digital Transformation: A Changing Society” course follows the LEAN Educational Quality and Instructional Design method (LEQID-method) to ensure that it meets the educational quality and design criteria required to create high quality blended and online education. In the LEQID-method, the partners will carry out the following tasks: 1) Analysis, 2) Design, 3) Development, 4) Testing, and 5) Delivery. RESULTS Tis project will lead to the following IO’s or courses (of each 5 ECTS): 1. Changing Society 2. Data-driven world 3. E-Skills 4. Business Models 5. Leadership 6. Challenges. The specializations will be offered in the following forms: - Specialization 1-5: Five blended courses on digital transformation, developed following the Lean Educational Quality and Instructional Design (LEQID) methodology. Each course consists of three MOOCs and a capstone project. - Specialization 6: A blended, challenge-based project including a summer/ winter school In addition, a Certification Framework for professionals will be developed (IO7). The specializations and materials will be made available online via the Managing Digital Transformation-platform, which will be used for network building and as ‘Centre of Expertise’ as well. In addition, EIT Urban Mobility (Partner) and EIT Digital (Associated Partner) will investigate the possiblity to include the specializations into their Academies. Two Multiplier Events will be organized at the end of the project, one focused on Higher Education Institutions (the Netherlands, June 2023) and one focused on professionals (Germany, August 2023). EXPECTED IMPACT The MDT-program is expected to educate a large number of students AND professionals in the upcoming years, which will enable many organizations (public and private) to successfully go through the process of digital transformation.
The primary objectives of implementing the project were to provide students and professional learners with a comprehensive Digital Transformation program, equipping them with practical strategies to harness emerging opportunities. These specific objectives included: 1. Developing a 30 ECTS program (EQF 6-8) 2. Developing a specialized curriculum that stays current with the latest trends in managing digital transformation, with a particular focus on addressing the skills and knowledge essential for driving innovations. 3. Creating a set of learning materials designed to facilitate effective knowledge assimilation through contemporary learning strategies. 4. Conducting a pilot test run with learners from diverse backgrounds to assess the strengths and areas for improvement within the program 5. Preparing individuals and managers to be in charge of the "digital transformation" in their organizations, and become the change drivers 6. Offering open access to state-of-the-art reference suppliers of technologies and distribution models that leverage the "digital transformation";
The Managing Digital Transformation (MDT) project was implemented as a response to the growing need for professionalization of the European workforce in managing and implementing digital transformation. It was observed that more and more organizations lack employees who possess proper digital skills and knowledge on managing digitalization. The MDT Project addressed the following needs: - The need for professionals able to develop and implement strategies and tactics addressing digital transformation. - The need for professionals who possess both the hard, digital skills, but also soft skills to guide organizations through successful digital transformation. - The need for professionals who combine business expertise, high-tech acumen, and leadership skills. - The need for professionals who are trained simultaneously in several disciplines and able to work at their points of intersection. - The need for highly-qualified professionals who can translate between disciplines, lead transformations, and take responsible decisions – what we term “responsible digital change agents”. Our partnership resulted in a 30 ECTS digital education program that aims to train the next digital transformation leaders in Europe