Whether it will truly be a paradigm shift remains to be seen in the coming years, but the presentation of Edunext, which took place yesterday in a blended format from the Fourth Hub of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UniMoRe), has undoubtedly marked a turning point in the history of Italian universities.
Edunext is a cross-disciplinary project that brings together 35 universities, 5 AFAM institutions (Higher Education Institutions for Artistic Training), and 55 partners. It was born from the Edunova experience at UniMoRe and is also supported by the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). This initiative represents the largest European community for digital education. A community driven and guided by 200 professionals from the participating institutions, who have pooled their skills and experiences in digital education. Among these professionals, we recognized many familiar faces who have been invited as speakers at Connessioni events dedicated to the world of Education over the past years.
But what does Edunext really mean in practice? More details were provided during the presentation by Tommaso Minerva, Director of the UniMoRe e-Learning Center. The values of Edunext are socially oriented, aiming to improve the educational system as a common good. Minerva repeatedly emphasized that technology is a means, not the end goal of the project, though it will be used systematically and “fearlessly,” starting with AI, which can assist educators in designing new learning paths. Another key concept in Minerva’s speech was the idea of the educational journey, replacing the traditional course structure, which supports individuals throughout their entire lives. Of course, digital education doesn’t just mean “remote learning,” even though the “in-person/remote” debate is a significant aspect of today’s educational landscape. The philosophy of Edunext will focus on enhancing in-person learning when it is meaningful and value-adding, such as in laboratories, experiential activities, meetings, and so on.
The project will also introduce a multilingual approach and the inclusion of new professionals within universities, starting with Instructional Designers and Tutors—a role increasingly central as a “bridge” between instructors and students. Additionally, new educational paths will be established, such as a Ph.D. in e-Learning.
However, the most intriguing aspect is the intention to make educational opportunities truly cross-disciplinary through collaboration between universities, moving away from the somewhat competitive approach of recent years. This will be achieved by establishing shared resources among universities, such as a common library, and by making the knowledge of faculty and staff available for cross-disciplinary educational paths. This will help create an ecosystem for digital education, accessible to over 70,000 students enrolled in our universities.
Good luck, Edunext!
