Blended Education in Western Balkans Universities

The BEWBU project aims to build the teacher´s and HEI institutions capacities, and to improve the pedagogical competences of higher education through the integration of blended education in the programs of the Western Balkans universities as a necessity for the education system to be more flexible for new crisis, inclusiveness and democratization of the education process. The focus will be the developing of the pedagogical and digital capacity in higher education through integration of BE in the education programs of the WB HEIs as a necessity for the future teachers of the Digital Age and their engagement in regional and European labor market. The implementation of pedagogical practice in the teaching programs of WB partners affects directly the pre-university education system, by preparing the actual students/the teachers of the future with the ability to understand and implement the Blended
learning (BL) and Blended teaching (BT) approach in their profession.

TAMK is leading the WP3 (Course’s BE Design of the Teaching Study Programs).

Project coordinator:
Universiteti Aleksander Moisiu Durres (Albania)

Project partners:
Hogskolan Vast, Sweden
Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Universidad De Leon, Spain
University Of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Univerzitet Donja Gorica Podgorica, Montenegro
Univerzitet U Banjoj Luci, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Universiteti Fan S Noli Korce, Albania
Javna Ustanova Univerzitet Crne Gore Podgorica, Montenegro
Universitesi I Gjakoves Fehmi Agani, Kosovo
Universiteti I Prishtines, Kosovo

The BEWBU (Blended Education in Western Balkans Universities) project strives to enhance institutional capacities and elevate pedagogical competencies in higher education across Western Balkan universities.

It emphasises the integration of Blended Education (BE) into university programs to foster flexibility in response to crises, increase inclusivity, and democratise the educational process. The primary objectives include incorporating BE models into Western Balkan university programmes to meet the needs of students in the digital age and facilitate their integration into the regional and European labour markets.

The backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted higher education institutions in the Western Balkans rushed to adopt online learning. While universities invested in online systems, insufficient attention was given to the comprehensive planning, design, development, and evaluation of online learning processes. The BEWBU project recognizes the imperative for a well-structured digital education aligned with the demands of contemporary society.

Addressing shared challenges in modern Blended Education, this project fosters pedagogical collaboration, professional learning communities and the exchange of experiences among regional partners. The collaborative effort, supported by EU partners, aims to tackle gaps in deepening co-planning and implementation. By aligning with the Digital Education Action Plan in the EU and adhering to international standards, the BEWBU project focuses on digital transformation and strategic partnerships in Western Balkan countries to elevate the overall pedagogical quality of higher education.

Project staff: Sanna Ruhalahti and Jiri Vilppola