The objectives of the INVITE project are designed to drive a digital transformation in higher education. First, we aimed to map the current approaches of institutions for virtual and blended international collaboration, so we can learn from best practices and identify gaps in existing methods. Next, we developed a student-centered, learning design framework that supports innovative teaching methods and enhances the overall learning experience in digital environments. Additionally, the project focused on creating and implementing an online training program for teachers and institutional staff to boost their digital competencies, ensuring they are well-equipped for modern educational challenges. We have also built an open, interactive digital ecosystem that not only hosts training modules but also fosters collaboration through events like hackathons, where innovative solutions are developed to address global challenges. Finally, by reviewing and proposing policy recommendations, we want to influence higher education strategies to promote sustainable innovation, inclusiveness, and international partnerships, ultimately enriching the quality of teaching and learning across Europe and not only.
We applied for the INVITE project in response to the urgent need revealed by the Covid-19 pandemic for more flexible and effective digital teaching methods, especially in the context of virtual and blended modalities and international collaboration. When institutions were forced to switch rapidly to online learning, significant gaps emerged in the quality of education and international collaboration. We recognized an opportunity to address these challenges by developing innovative, student-centered approaches that support both virtual and blended learning, as well as internationalization. Our project aimed to build a comprehensive framework that enhances teaching and learning through active, engaging methods, and to provide practical, online training for educators and staff. Additionally, we sought to create an open digital ecosystem to host training modules, foster international partnerships, and drive collaborative initiatives like hackathons. By addressing these needs, we want to improve digital competencies, support sustainable educational practices, and contribute to policy recommendations for a more inclusive, high-quality higher education landscape.