e-Universities

CARNET is implementing the e-Universities project with the aim of digitally transforming higher education (HE) in the Republic of Croatia (RH) 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 higher education institutions will be approached systematically. Digital transformation contributes to the flexibility and innovation of education, unifies the raising of organizational, management, infrastructural, and educational categories of development, enables the convergence of public national and EU higher education policies, while continuously following current trends in digital technology development.

As part of preparatory activities for the e-University project, CARNET participated in another project funded through DG REFORM’s Technical Support Instrument. This project, carried out by the OECD in close cooperation with the European Commission and the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth, is titled “Assessing and improving digital readiness in Croatian higher education institutions.” This initiative produced recommendations and guidelines based on the practices of other countries that have made comparable investments in higher education. It also provided valuable support in determining the type and scope of investments for public higher education institutions across 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 higher education.
• educational support and educational programs to strengthen the competences of teaching staff for learning and teaching in a digital environment
• support and professional development of expert staff.

Overall project goal

The general objective of the e-Universities project is to improve the quality and accessibility of the higher education system by strengthening the flexibility and innovation of public higher education institutions through supporting investments in digital teaching infrastructure.

Specific objective of the project

Investments in network and computer infrastructure, equipment for creating and producing audio/video content, and related services (applications, licenses, and support tools), along with cybersecurity activities, will ensure the key prerequisites for the continued digital transformation of higher education institutions throughout the Republic of Croatia.

Improving the existing IT system and connecting records in higher education will create a unique platform containing timely and relevant information. This platform will facilitate trend monitoring at all decision-making levels, serve as a key database for system monitoring, report generation, and analysis, and support planning and forecasting. Ultimately, it will enable systematic monitoring, evaluation, and achievement of program financing goals for higher education institutions.

Investments in digital infrastructure, coupled with educational support to empower teachers in creating digital teaching content, followed by continuous research on the state and application of digital technologies in higher education and business, as well as the experimental implementation of a modular education program, will strengthen teacher competencies and raise the level of digital maturity of higher education institutions throughout the Republic of Croatia. 

Project duration

From March 2022 to June 30, 2026.

Ministry of Science, Education and Youth (MSEY) – Holder of NPOO investment “Digital transformation of higher education”

End users - public institutions of higher education

Target groups

Following a thorough 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, enabling them to use advanced network services with guaranteed capacity and connection stability. Institutions will also receive accompanying services and tools, as well as digital teaching equipment. Across all equipment segments, the focus will be on security.

Equipment

Public universities participating in the project will have the option of investing in the following type of equipment:

• Network-LAN – access to the network and educational resources for employees in premises intended for student education with a reliable high-speed Internet connection consisting of a passive network (wiring), network connections, and associated active equipment.
• Network-WiFi - network access for students using laptops, tablets, smartphones, in study areas and other work and living areas. It consists of a passive network (wire) and associated active equipment
• Equipping hybrid and multimedia lecture halls with projection screens, interactive screens, audio systems, and other equipment
• Audio-visual and conference equipment that can support the use of digital resources during lectures, and equipment that can be used to record live lectures and hybrid classes (computer and video conference equipment – large studio, small (integrated) studio, hybrid lecture rooms, mobile AV devices).

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

As part of the project, the upgrade and establishment of the Information System of Records in Higher Education (ISeVO) and the adaptation of the existing information infrastructure of higher education are foreseen:

• It will create new functionalities and connect the Ministry's existing records (registers) into one whole.
• It will also connect other information systems and applications that need to be harmonized and adapted to work with the system of record in 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 decision-making levels (college/university/state).
• By monitoring enrollment quotas, occupancy, and student success during their studies, and by adapting existing and establishing new study programs, it will be possible to respond more adequately to the needs of higher education. 

Education and support

The project includes education and support: 

• Advisory and educational support of partners
• The opportunity to participate in educational activities that contribute to the development of digital competencies for teaching and administrative staff, particularly in areas such as implementing hybrid teaching, utilizing audio-visual equipment to enhance teaching processes, creating digital teaching materials, and cybersecurity.
• A community of practitioners and mutual connection among users from different higher education institutions will be encouraged through various activities, with the aim of exchanging knowledge and experience related to the application of digital technologies in education and business.
  • An important segment in building a community of practitioners will be an interactive internet portal that will be established as a central place for the dissemination and exchange of information, knowledge, trends, experiences, and connecting users related to the topics of implementing modern education in a digital environment. The portal will primarily be intended for university employees as support in the application of 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 the publication of professional and scientific articles and the exchange of experiences and knowledge of higher education employees. 
• Customer support is provided by a mobile team responsible for written, telephone, and field support.

General 

• User 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 region 

 User benefits: 

• Meetings and in-person meetings 
• Contact person that users are familiar with 
• Information about project activities, as well as answering questions and resolving problems  
• Developing and maintaining relationships with users and institutions, which we want to continue even after the e-University project.

CARNET will enter into individual contracts with public universities in order to regulate mutual rights and obligations.

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

• Appoint a responsible person to oversee the planned implementation and timely coordination of project activities.
• If necessary, ensure the conditions for the implementation of passive and active networks and the upgrade of the access network at Higher Education Institution (HEI) locations.
• After completing the works and equipping the HEI, co-sign with CARNET and the contractor the handover record based on which the HEI will become the user of the IT equipment and will be obliged to handle it with the care of a good businessman.
• Include teachers and professional staff in project activities in accordance with the needs of the project and the higher education institution.
• Enable students to connect to the network with their own devices in accordance with CARNET's recommendations.
• Ensure that they actively participate in educational programs and events designed for the systematic development of their digital competencies and other skills for using digital technologies. 
• Ensure the participation of employees (teaching staff of the institution) and students in research that will be carried out continuously during the project and in the evaluation process of project activities and results.
• At the request of CARNET, deliver to CARNET all information necessary for administration and reporting on the project according to the system management and control bodies of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

The project holder, main partner organization, and beneficiary of the project is the Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET, and it is implemented in partnership and cooperation with relevant institutions: 

The e-Universities project is financed from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021 – 2026.