Successful Short-Term Exchange Program in Piran, Slovenia

From January 14–16, 2025, the picturesque coastal town of Piran, Slovenia, hosted the COWEB Project Short-Term Exchange Program, organized by the International School for Social and Business Studies (ISSBS) in collaboration with EMUNI University. This pivotal event brought together over 40 participants from Western Balkan HEIs and European partners to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and advance the project’s mission of promoting Virtual Collaborative Learning (VCL) in higher education.

Day 1: Synergies and Networking

The program opened with the OER-CODEX Project Conference, where Dr. Esmir Demaj (Epoka University) presented COWEB as a case study for integrating Open Educational Resources (OER) with Virtual Collaborative Learning. The presentation highlighted how VCL modules are engaging students and academic staff across seven Western Balkan institutions, fostering discussions on innovative collaborative education. The day concluded with a networking dinner that provided an informal platform for idea exchange.

Day 2: Progress, Innovations, and Planning

The second day focused on reviewing progress within COWEB’s VCL modules, emphasizing their contribution to cross-border collaboration and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each tandem team presented updates on their modules, and discussions were facilitated by Prof. Eric Schoop and Mattis Altmann (Technische Universität Dresden) to plan the forthcoming International VCL Module, designed to broaden scalability and interactivity. Additionally, progress on the COWEB Book, a comprehensive compilation of project insights, was reviewed.

Day 3: Hands-On Activities and Strategic Development

Participants engaged in hands-on workshops, drafting the framework for the International VCL Module and outlining chapters for the COWEB Book. Discussions also revolved around strategies to integrate VCL into institutional curricula and sustain the project’s long-term impact. A key focus was on increasing participation in European projects, with Western Balkan partners collaborating with EU counterparts to craft high-quality proposals for Erasmus and Horizon Europe programs.

Key Outcomes and Future Initiatives

As the COWEB Project enters its final year, it remains committed to advancing collaborative learning and equipping students for the global digital economy. Upcoming initiatives include:

• Launching the International VCL Module to engage more students and institutions.
• Finalizing and publishing the COWEB Book, a resource for educators and institutions.