15/05/2026

Webinar series: Emerging trends in digital education

Background and Rationale

Digital technologies are transforming education by improving access, engagement, and personalisation. However, a gap persists between the potential of digital learning and the practical capacity of academics to implement best practices. Addressing this requires inclusive policies, infrastructure investment, and continuous professional development.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption, but current priorities focus on sustainable, inclusive, and innovative integration. In both Africa and Europe, digital education offers opportunities for expanded access, enhanced research collaboration, and improved learning outcomes, while also posing challenges related to infrastructure, equity, and capacity.

This webinar series aims to foster cross-continental collaboration, share best practices, and support institutions in adopting pedagogically sound and ethically responsible digital approaches.

Aim

To explore emerging trends in digital education and equip academics, researchers and higher education professionals in Africa and Europe with practical knowledge, tools and collaborative approaches to enhance teaching, research and institutional innovation.

The series will:

Examine emerging digital technologies in higher education
Promote inclusive and equitable digital learning practices
Strengthen digital pedagogy and instructional design
Foster Africa–Europe academic collaboration
Showcase institutional case studies and best practices
Support capacity building in digital teaching and research ecosystems

Target audience

University lecturers and researchers
Academic leaders and administrators
Instructional designers and e-learning specialists
Graduate students and early-career researchers
ICT and digital transformation officers
Policy makers in higher education

Format and structure

Webinar duration: 90 minutes
Components:
- Expert presentations
- Case studies from African and European institutions
- Panel discussions
- Live Q&A and breakout exchanges
- Resource sharing and networking

Webinar topics

Name of Speaker / Email	Date & Time	Topic	Overview
Mr. TAKU ANGWA OTTO Engineer/Teacher	28 April 2026 14:00–15:30 GMT	Designing Engaging Hybrid and Blended Learning Environments	This session focuses on designing engaging hybrid and blended learning environments that intentionally connect in-person and online learning. Participants will explore practical models for structuring learning activities, building interaction and community, and ensuring clear communication and support across modalities. The session also highlights strategies for assessment, feedback, and technology selection that improve participation, flexibility, and learning outcomes.
Prof. Akinola Samson Olayinka Lecturer	26 May 2026 14:00–15:30 GMT	Student-Centered Digital Pedagogies	This session will explore how educators can design and facilitate digitally supported learning experiences that actively engage students as co-creators of knowledge. It highlights practical strategies for shifting from content delivery to participation, using digital tools to support choice, collaboration, timely feedback, accessibility, and authentic assessment in blended, hybrid, and online contexts.
Prof. Maisa Nasr Farid Professor of Paediatrics	2 June 2026 14:00–15:30 GMT	Digital Tools for Collaborative Research Across Borders	This session introduces practical digital tools and workflows that enable effective cross-border research collaboration. Participants will explore platforms for co-authoring, shared data management, virtual meetings, and project tracking, alongside good practices for communication, version control, authorship, and research ethics. The session also highlights strategies for working across time zones and connectivity constraints while maintaining research quality and security.
Dr. Florence Plockey Librarian	23 June 2026 14:00–15:30 GMT	Open Science and Digital Scholarly Communication	This session introduces the principles and practices of open science and how digital platforms are reshaping scholarly communication. Participants will explore open access publishing, research data sharing, preprints, persistent identifiers (e.g. ORCID/DOI), and responsible use of metrics to increase visibility, transparency, and impact. The session also highlights copyright and licensing (e.g. Creative Commons), research integrity, and practical steps institutions and researchers can take to adopt open workflows.
Forka Lawrantine Teacher	4 August 2026 14:00–15:30 GMT	Digital Skills for Academics in the 21st Century and Beyond	This session focuses on the essential digital skills academics need to teach, research, and lead effectively in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. Participants will explore practical competencies such as digital content creation, effective use of learning platforms, online communication and collaboration, information and data literacy, AI and academic integrity, cybersecurity, and digital wellbeing. The session supports participants to assess their current capabilities and develop a realistic plan for continuous upskilling beyond the webinar.
Emmanuel Kofi Akowuah Director of KNUST E-Learning Centre	29 September 2026 14:00–15:30 GMT	Embedding Digital Skills into Curricula: Institutional Case Studies	This session examines how universities are embedding digital skills across programmes through curriculum redesign, assessment innovation, and staff–student partnerships. Using institutional case studies, participants will explore models for mapping digital competencies to learning outcomes, integrating authentic digital tasks and micro-credentials, and building sustainable support structures (policy, staff development, and learning technology services). The session concludes with practical lessons and a simple framework participants can adapt to their own departments and institutions.
Rev Dr. Charles Nii Ashitey Amanor-Commey	30 September 2026 14:00–15:30 GMT	Designing Engaging Hybrid and Blended Learning Environments	This session focuses on designing engaging hybrid and blended learning environments that intentionally connect in-person and online learning. Participants will explore practical models for structuring learning activities, building interaction and community, and ensuring clear communication and support across modalities. The session also highlights strategies for assessment, feedback, and technology selection that improve participation, flexibility, and learning outcomes.
Roberta Crocetti ProjectFIN srl	1 September 2026 14:00–15:30 GMT	Student Digital Competencies and Future Employability	This session explores the growing importance of student digital competencies in preparing learners for the future workforce. It will examine how higher education institutions can equip students with essential digital skills such as data literacy, digital communication, AI awareness, cybersecurity awareness, digital collaboration, critical thinking, and the effective use of digital tools for innovation and productivity.