The project aimed to stimulate innovative teaching and learning practices by creating a new hybrid educational model (NHE-model) for higher education. This model was designed to ensure inclusion, flexibility, and sustainability, enabling smooth transitions between face-to-face and online learning. It supports teachers in designing resilient learning environments and strengthens students’ autonomy and engagement. To operationalize the model, we developed a modular certification program (MOC-program) for higher education teachers, empowering them with up-to-date competences. Our objectives included piloting the NHE-model in diverse subjects, integrating feedback from multiple stakeholders, and making the results publicly available to foster long-term adoption across Europe.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed universities’ limited flexibility in responding to unexpected disruptions. While institutions invested in digital tools, many teaching approaches simply replicated face-to-face settings online, resulting in fatigue and reduced learning quality. Students increasingly demand flexible, inclusive formats, and universities need resilient models to ensure continuity of high-quality education under uncertainty. At the same time, faculty members lack a sound conceptual framework for integrating face-to-face and online teaching. Our project addresses these needs by developing an innovative hybrid educational model that equips higher education institutions and teachers with the tools to design, adapt, and sustain effective learning environments in unpredictable contexts.