More than 250 experts from the world of online, co-curricular and distance education, from more than 25 countries, are expected to gather in Athens, on 19-21 October, to participate in the annual European Association of Distance Learning Universities (EADTU) Pan-European Conference, which this year is co-organised with the Hellenic Open University (Hellenic Open University).

It is the first time that the EADTU Pan-European Conference is held in Greece, a significant recognition for the international contribution of the EAP in the field of open and distance education, as it is consistently ranked among the top Distance Education Universities worldwide.

This year’s conference focuses on issues related to new trends and more generally the factors affecting global and European Higher Education, the digitization of Higher Education. Among others, experts will explore the changes needed to offer high quality, inclusive education in a rapidly changing world, the issue of (international) microcredentials (microcredentials, Micro-Masters, nano-degrees), the organisation of digital courses in 21st century skills, the competences and learning dispositions identified as necessary for success in 21st century society (communication skills, social responsibility, creativity, environmental awareness, critical thinking and digital literacy), etc. ά.

Central theme of the conference: “Digital reset: Transforming European Universities for a changing world”.

“The conference will combine keynote speeches, paper presentations, a special research part, panel sessions and workshops.”

“As the title (of the conference) suggests, European Universities today face profound societal challenges and need to make fundamental changes to support high quality and inclusive education. To support this process, the Conference will bring together more than 250 experts from the world of online, blended and distance education. The conference will combine keynote speeches, paper presentations, a special research part, panel sessions and workshops. I am convinced that this exchange of knowledge will be an enjoyable and valuable experience for everyone involved”, says EADTU President and Rector of the Spanish Distance Education University of Madrid, Professor Ricardo Mairal, in a statement ahead of the opening of the Pan-European Conference on Wednesday 19 October in Athens.

The opening session will feature speeches by Ms Themis Christofidou, Director General of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Ms Niki Kerameos, Minister of Education and Religious Affairs and Professor Ricardo Mairal, President of EADTU and Rector of the Spanish Distance Education University of Madrid, on policies for higher education in Europe. The Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Hellenic Open University, Professor Ioannis Kalavroziotis, and the Secretary General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Professor Odysseas-Ioannis Zoras and the President of EADTU will welcome the participants.

The conference will be held at the conference centre of the War Museum of Athens.

See in detail the programme, the participants and the topics of discussion in the plenary session and the working groups on the conference website: https://conference.eadtu.eu/