e-University

CARNET is implementing the e-University project with the goal of digitally transforming higher education (HE) in the Republic of Croatia (CR) by improving digital teaching infrastructure, introducing digital teaching tools, and strengthening teachers' digital competencies for teaching in a digital environment.

The digital transformation of public institutions in higher education will be approached systematically. Digital transformation contributes to the flexibility and innovativeness of education, unifies the raising of organizational, management, infrastructural, and educational categories of development, and enables the convergence of public national and EU higher education policies. while continuously following current development trends in digital technology.

As part of the preparatory activities for the e-University project, CARNET participated in a project financed through the DG REFORM Technical Support Instrument, implemented by the OECD, in close cooperation with the European Commission and the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth, titled “Assessment and Improvement of the Digital Readiness of Croatian Higher Education Institutions.” This initiative resulted in recommendations and guidelines based on the practices of other countries that have comparably invested in higher education and provided valuable support in determining the type and scope of investments in public higher education institutions for the entire Republic of Croatia.

As part of the project, investments will be made in:

• network and computer infrastructure
• equipment and related services 
• cybersecurity activities
• Improvement of the existing IT system and linking of records in the VO
• educational support and professional development programs to enhance the competencies of teaching staff for learning and teaching in a digital environment
• support and professional development of expert staff.

Overall project objective

The main goal of the e-University project is to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education by strengthening the flexibility and innovativeness of public higher education institutions through support for investments in digital teaching infrastructure.

Specific project objective

Investments in network and computer infrastructure, audio/video content creation and production equipment, and related services (applications, licenses, and support tools), as well as cybersecurity activities, will ensure the key prerequisites for the continuation of the digital transformation of higher education institutions throughout the Republic of Croatia.

By improving the existing IT system and linking records in higher education, a unified platform will be created. This platform will contain timely and relevant information for monitoring trends at all decision-making levels and will serve as a key database for system monitoring, report generation, analysis, planning, and forecasting. This will enable systematic monitoring, evaluation, and achievement of the goals of program-based funding for higher education institutions.

By investing in digital infrastructure with accompanying educational support for empowering teachers to create digital teaching content, followed by continuous research on the state and application of digital technologies in higher education and business, as well as experimental implementation of a modular education program, the competencies of teachers will be strengthened, and the level of digital maturity of higher education institutions throughout the Republic of Croatia will be raised. 

Project value

84,013,537.72 EUR – The project is fully financed by the NPOO.

Project duration

From March 2022 to June 30, 2026.

Ministry of Science, Education and Youth (MZOM) – Beneficiary of the NPOO investment „Digital Transformation of Higher Education“

End users – public higher education institutions

Target groups

Following the established analysis of the situation and needs, and based on the guidelines for investment criteria in digital teaching infrastructure, network and/or computer infrastructure will be built and/or upgraded in higher education institutions. Institutions will receive advanced network management with a security component, the ability to use advanced network services with guaranteed capacity and connection stability. Institutions will also receive supporting services and tools, as well as digital teaching equipment. The focus across all equipment segments will be on the security component.

Equipment

Public higher education institutions participating in the project will have the opportunity to invest in the following types of equipment:

• Network-LAN - access to the network and educational resources for employees in rooms intended for student education with a reliable high-speed internet connection consisting of a passive network (wires), network ports, and associated active equipment
• Network-WiFi – network access for students using laptops, tablets, smartphones, in learning spaces and other work and common areas. It consists of a passive network (wires) and associated active equipment
• Outfitting hybrid and multimedia lecture halls with projection screens, interactive screens, audio systems, and other equipment
• Audiovisual and conference equipment that can support the use of digital sources during lectures, and equipment that can be used for recording live lectures and hybrid teaching (computer and video conferencing equipment – large studio, small (integrated) studio, hybrid lecture halls, mobile AV devices).

Upgrade and establishment of the Information System for Records in Higher Education (ISeVO)

The project also envisages the upgrade and establishment of the Information System for Records in Higher Education (ISeVO) and the adaptation of the existing information infrastructure for higher education:

• It will create new functionalities and connect existing Ministry records (Registries) into a unified whole.
• It will also integrate other information systems and applications that need to be aligned and adapted to work with the records information system, which are currently part of the higher education system.
• A unique platform will be created that will contain timely and relevant information and will be used to monitor trends at all levels of decision-making (college/university/state).
• By monitoring enrollment quotas and occupancy, student success during their studies, and by adapting existing and establishing new degree programs, it will be possible to more adequately respond to the needs of the VU. 

Education and support

The project also includes education and support, which includes:

• Advisory and educational support from partners
• The opportunity to participate in educational activities that contribute to the development of digital competencies for teaching and administrative staff, particularly related to the implementation of hybrid teaching, the use of audio-visual equipment to improve teaching processes, the creation of digital teaching materials, and cybersecurity.
• Through various activities, the construction of a community of practitioners and the mutual connection of users from different higher education institutions will be encouraged with the aim of exchanging knowledge and experiences related to the application of digital technologies in education and business.
  • An important segment of building the community of practice will be an interactive internet portal, established as a central hub for disseminating and exchanging information, knowledge, trends, and experiences, as well as connecting users around topics related to the implementation of contemporary education in a digital environment. The portal will primarily be intended for university staff as support in applying digital technologies in education through access to digital tools, a repository, and a learning management system, as well as instructions for their use. It will also be intended for publishing professional and scientific articles and for the exchange of experiences and knowledge among higher education professionals.
• Customer support is provided in the form of a mobile team responsible for written, telephone, and on-site support.

Qualified electronic signature and seal

As part of the project, a brochure on qualified electronic signatures and seals has also been created, which is available at link.

Support email address: e-sveucilista@carnet.hr

CARNET will enter into individual agreements with public higher education institutions to regulate mutual rights and obligations.

It is important that each participating institution in the project actively participates in the project activities and fulfills the following obligations:

• Appointment of a responsible person for the planned implementation and timely coordination of project activities.
• As needed, provide the conditions for deploying the passive and active network and upgrading the access network at VU locations.
• After the completion and equipping of the VU, sign the handover protocol with CARNET and the contractor, based on which the VU becomes the user of the IT equipment and is obliged to handle it with the care of a good manager.
• Incorporate teachers and professional staff into project activities according to the project needs and the University of Zagreb.
• Enable students to connect to the network using their own devices in accordance with CARNET recommendations.
• Ensure that they actively participate in the educational programs, events, and activities offered to systematically develop their digital competencies as well as their other competencies for using digital technologies. 
• Ensure employee (teaching staff of the institution) and student participation in research that will be continuously conducted throughout the project and in the process of evaluating project activities and results.
• Upon CARNET's request, provide CARNET with all information necessary for the administration and reporting of the project to the management and control bodies of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPRR).

The educational activities program is intended for teaching, administrative, and IT staff, as well as librarians employed at higher education institutions included in the e-University project.

The program includes workshops, webinars, and lectures for competency development in the following areas:

• Development and Application of Multimedia and Digital Teaching Content in Education
• Planning and implementation of hybrid and online instruction
• Cybersecurity and responsible use of digital technologies

In addition to organized training within the project, educational content for self-study is being developed, such as interactive video lessons, micro-lessons, and e-courses, which enables continuous professional development and the application of acquired knowledge in practice.

All trainings will be conducted in multiple sessions in various cities. 

The e-University project introduces the concept of digital maturity into the higher education system at a national level, aiming to contribute to the systemic digital transformation of higher education in the Republic of Croatia.

Generally: 

• customer support is provided by a regionally distributed team of experts (Mobile Team) 
• written, phone, and field support 
• phone number: 01 6661 555
• email address e-sveucilista@carnet.hr 

Regional division: 

• Split region  
• Osijek region  
• Zagreb and Rijeka regions 

User benefits:  

• In-person meetings and encounters 
• contact person with whom users are familiar 
• Personalized informing about project activities and resolving inquiries and difficulties. 
• developing and maintaining relationships with users and institutions, which we want to keep even after the e-University project. 

The project owner, main partner organization, and project beneficiary is Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNet, and conducts it in partnership and cooperation with relevant institutions: 

The e-University project is financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026.

Croatian Academic and Research Network - CARNET invites public higher education institutions in the Republic of Croatia to participate in a pilot study within the e-University project. The detailed call for proposals can be found at this links.

Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET announces a call for candidates to join the Working Group for the development of a curriculum for the educational program for the development of digital competencies of management and teaching staff at higher education institutions within the „e-University“ project. The detailed call announcement can be found at links.

The deadline for candidate applications for members of the Working Group for the development of the curriculum for the education program for the development of digital competencies of management and teaching staff in higher education institutions within the „e-University“ project has been extended until February 12, 2023, at 11:59 PM.

The Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET is publishing a Call for Expression of Interest from economic entities for the demonstration of software solutions for the creation of digital educational materials within the “e-University” project.

The deadline to express interest is March 1, 2023, by 11:59 PM.

Detailed call for applications can be found on this links.

Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET announces the publication of the Call for Expression of Interest for the participation of public higher education institutions in the activities of piloting and developing a digital maturity system model for higher education in the Republic of Croatia. 

The detailed announcement of the call can be found at this links.

The Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET, invites public higher education institutions in the Republic of Croatia to submit an expression of interest to participate in the development and piloting activities of a digital maturity system model for higher education in the Republic of Croatia within the e-University project.

Detailed call for applications can be found on this links.

At a session of the Senate of the University of Rijeka on June 20, 2023, CARNET presented current activities on the e-University project.

You can find the e-University project presentation at this Links.