Universit� degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

EDUNEXT: Unimore Leads the Digital Education Network with 40 Institutions and Six Courses between Modena and Reggio Emilia

The EDUNEXT Digital Education Hub officially launches its educational offering as part of the CRUI-MUR initiatives at Fiera Didacta, marking a significant milestone for Italian higher education. For the first time in Italy, traditional universities are joining forces to offer a structured and high-quality digital education, opening a new chapter for higher education in the country.

The EDUNEXT Network, which brings together 35 universities and 5 AFAM institutions (Higher Education in Arts and Music), is led by the Edunova Centre at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, the project’s lead institution. Its goal is to modernise and make higher education more accessible through an innovative model that integrates Educational Clusters, Open Badges, and Blended Intensive programmes.

Unimore contributes to the EDUNEXT network with five degree programmes. The Department of Economics "Marco Biagi" offers the Master’s Degree in Employment Relations (LM-77), while the Department of Communication and Economics offers the Master’s Degree in Economics and Law for the Organizations’ Sustainability (LM-77/LM-63), focusing on the management of institutions with an ESG perspective. The Department of Science and Method for Engineering introduces a new Master’s Degree in Energy Engineering (LM-30), designed to address the challenges of the energy transition, with an English-language track. The Surgical, Medical and Dental Department of Morphological Sciences, related to Transplant, Oncology, and Regenerative Medicine, offers the Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Education (L-19), which focuses on digital teaching and the application of technology in education, and the Master’s Degree in Well-being and Physical Activity (LM-67), an inter-university programme with the University of Verona, training specialists in motor sciences applied to health and prevention.

The presentation event took place in Florence, in a packed hall, with Professor Claudia Bellini introducing the session and moderating the discussion. The Rector of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Professor Carlo Adolfo Porro, the Director-General of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Engineer Luca Chiantore, and Professor Tommaso Minerva, scientific coordinator of the project, were present to provide an in-depth explanation of the teaching model and the educational offering of EDUNEXT.

The educational offering includes 46 degree courses for the academic year 2025/2026, broken down as follows:

·      7 Bachelor’s Degrees,

·      7 Three-year Academic Diplomas,

·      25 Master’s Degrees,

·      7 Degree Programmes in English.

 

These courses are designed to offer flexibility and quality, combining blended learning (both in-person and online) with advanced digital learning and assessment tools. The content will be delivered in three languages – Italian, English, and Spanish – with the help of advanced AI tools for translating and adapting materials.

The introduction of Educational Clusters allows students to gain both transversal and specialist skills, certified through the Open Badges system, which is recognised across Europe. Additionally, the Blended Intensive model includes periods of online study alongside in-person intensive weeks, promoting interaction and collaboration between universities

At the heart of EDUNEXT's educational offering is the ECOBI model (Educational Clusters, Open Badges, Blended Intensive Programme), an innovative approach that combines three key elements:

 

1.    Educational Clusters: Flexible modular pathways that group related subjects to ensure a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary education.

2.    Open Badges: Digital certifications for acquired skills, allowing students to build an e-portfolio recognised at the European level.

3.    Blended Intensive Program: A learning model that combines online activities with in-person intensive sessions, promoting inter-university exchange and international collaboration.

 

Thanks to the ECOBI approach, students will be able to tailor their learning journey, earning micro-credentials that are recognised in both the job market and higher education.

Following the presentation of the educational offering, a roundtable discussion took place, again moderated by Prof. Bellini, with contributions from Prof Giovanni Betta, Chair of the CUN Educational Commission, Prof. Massimo Tronci, a member of the ANVUR Board of Directors, and Dr Alessio Ancaiani, Director of the Higher Education Institutions Evaluation Area at ANVUR.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to delve into the topic of digital innovation in university teaching. For sector institutions, ensuring high-quality standards in courses involving new digital technologies is essential. This commitment, from course design to accreditation, requires a responsible approach that maximises the benefits of technological innovations while acknowledging their limitations.

The event concluded with presentations of educational initiatives by vice-rectors from universities involved in the network, who outlined innovative projects and educational pathways aligned with the EDUNEXT model, emphasising the importance of cooperation between universities to foster the growth of digital education in Italy.

With the launch of the new educational offering, the EDUNEXT network now involves over 700,000 students and 25,000 lecturers and researchers, promoting internationalisation and collaboration between universities. The roadmap also includes the development of new micro-credentials and an enhancement of digital content, with a particular focus on lifelong learning and the integration of emerging technologies in teaching

For more information about the educational offering and how to apply, visit the official EDUNEXT website: https://edunext.eu.

"EDUNEXT represents a radical change in the way universities collaborate to evolve higher education while maintaining high-quality standards," said Prof. Carlo Adolfo Porro, Rector of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, the project’s lead partner. "Our goal is to create an inclusive, innovative learning ecosystem that prepares students for future challenges."

"The university," said Professor Giacomo Cabri, Delegate for Teaching at Unimore, "has always balanced scientific rigor with the ability to adapt to the changing landscape of knowledge. Today, the challenge isn’t just about using digital tools; it’s about designing a system where modularity, inter-university collaboration, and structured certification of skills are fundamental to teaching. EDUNEXT brings these elements together and introduces a model that expands educational opportunities without undermining the value of the university experience."

Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng