Held at the University of Novi Sad, the 2nd Jean Monnet ENROL School brought together students, academics, and professionals to explore the intersection of environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and innovation in higher education. The event served as a hub for knowledge exchange, offering participants the opportunity to understand how European policy frameworks can be translated into actionable academic strategies.
A central moment of the program was the presentation of the GreenTech Horizons project, introduced by project coordinator Dr. Danijela Ćirić Lalić (Faculty of Technical Sciences). The session spotlighted the project’s commitment to advancing the twin green and digital transitions in partner higher education institutions across Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.
Strategic Vision for Competency-Oriented Education
The dedicated session on GreenTech Horizons highlighted the project’s aim to modernize curricula and strengthen capacity-building efforts in alignment with EU priorities on sustainability and economic resilience. Key points of the presentation included:
- Development of a competency-based learning framework tailored to regional labor market needs;
- Curriculum enhancement and digital platform integration across partner universities;
- Practical skill-building for students in green technologies and digital innovation.
Participants actively engaged in the Q&A session, discussing challenges and solutions related to embedding green and digital principles into academic structures. The conversation emphasized the need to equip future professionals with interdisciplinary, future-ready competencies.
Cross-Sector Dialogue: From Academic Theory to Real-World Impact
The ENROL School successfully facilitated a multi-stakeholder dialogue between academic institutions, local professionals, and students from fields such as engineering, business, and environmental sciences. The presence of participants from both the Faculty of Technical Sciences and other local institutions created a well-rounded discussion environment focused on aligning higher education with industry needs.
Key reflections included:
- Strong interest in the GreenTech Horizons approach to integrating sustainability into education;
- Recognition of the need for hands-on, applied learning models;
- Suggestions for expanding the format to include demonstrations of digital learning platforms and project-based education models.
This feedback underscored the importance of moving beyond policy awareness to practical implementation—ensuring that innovations in education directly support job creation and sustainable economic growth in partner regions.
