Between the 20-22nd of May 2025, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, an international cooperation activity under the Erasmus+ programme – the seminar “Erasmus+ digitisation: why green, inclusive and participatory inputs are needed” (Project No. TBV-DE2-2025-LT-3065), organised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), took place.
The event brought together over a hundred representatives from various institutions and organisations, as well as national agencies such as NUFFIC, SALTO, ESN, EESF, ETS Global, the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, THM University of Applied Sciences, and others. Kauno kolegija HEI, represented by Inga NeciunskaitÄ—, International Activities Coordinator at the Alytus Faculty, was one of four Lithuanian higher education institutions in attendance, alongside representatives from Vilnius University, Vytautas Magnus University, and Mykolas Romeris University.
During the three-day event, particular focus was placed on digitalisation, bringing together the four Erasmus+ horizontal priorities: digital transformation, inclusion and diversity, the environment and the fight against climate change, and participation in democratic life. Special emphasis was given to integrating the green agenda into Erasmus+ – and beyond – activities. The practical programme featured in-depth practice-based presentations, such as Michael Hörig’s (Director of the DAAD Regional Office in Brussels) keynote on the “Digital Education Action Plan and the European Digital Education Hub”, a panel discussion moderated by Angeliki Psychogyiou (ACA), entitled “Opportunities and Areas of Tension: How the Horizontal Priorities Work Together”, as well as parallel creative workshops (“Digitalisation x Inclusion & Diversity – Addressing Marginalised Groups in Digital Education”, “Digitalisation x Green – From Carbon Footprint to Digital Handprint: Greening Erasmus+ Blended Mobility”, “Digitalisation x Participation in Democratic Life – From Digital Mobilities to Digital Democratic Participation in Erasmus+”), brainstorming sessions, discussions, experience sharing, participant insights, and reflections.
A particular highlight, warmly received on the 22nd of May, was the presentation by Andreas Deitmeri and David Smid from the Centre for Blind and Visually Impaired Students (BliZ) at THM University of Applied Sciences on “Digital Accessibility in the Higher Education Landscape in Europe”. This presentation explored real-world challenges faced by visually impaired computer users, highlighting different types of visual impairments, the barriers to quick, convenient, and inclusive access and management of digital information, and participation in Erasmus+ mobility programmes. It also showcased innovative solutions and recommendations to improve the inclusion of students and staff with disabilities both within Erasmus+ and in other activities. Some of it could be the establishment of an internal centre similar to BliZ, hiring an “inclusion specialist”, and ensuring that not only institutional websites but also all digital resources, self-service terminals, and other digital services are accessible to people with visual or other impairments. This is particularly relevant for Erasmus+ student and staff mobility, where inclusion should encompass the entire process – from information search and provision, administrative procedures, arrival, inclusive study and work methods, to accommodation and daily needs, which is crucial as digitalisation advances so rapidly. The presentation also mentioned ongoing research into guide robots for the blind ones.
The aforementioned creative workshops added significant value to the event, offering participants not only in-depth presentations, but also opportunities to share insights on sustainable practices in organising Erasmus+ blended intensive programmes and other activities, generate new ideas, and discuss sustainable mobility, institutional and individual initiatives, as well as the promotion of student participation in democratic life. An important message throughout the event was that “big things start small”, and that “sustainability is not just about green travel and digitalisation”, but rather measured, conscious decisions in everyday activities – such as knowing which video conferencing tool (Zoom or Google Meet) is less harmful to the environment, making thoughtful and moderate use of artificial intelligence, carefully considering printed materials, business cards, gifts, implementing sustainable digital processes, or even considering the number of coffee cups consumed per day.
Inga NeciunskaitÄ— actively engaged in discussions and practical activities, exploring how digital tools can boost inclusion and reduce exclusion, encourage student engagement in democratic processes, and develop sustainable digitalisation processes within Erasmus+ and beyond. In conversations with other participants during the creative workshops and other activities, she also shared best practices, such as the installation of natural drinking water taps at the Alytus Faculty, the idea of trying out edible tableware, and the presentation by Dr. Bin Zhang (a visiting associate professor at the Alytus Faculty) on inclusive technology implementation at Kanagawa University, including the testing of guide robots for the blind ones within institutional environment. According to Inga NeciunskaitÄ—, this experience not only broadened her professional knowledge and personal competencies but also opened up new opportunities for collaboration, project idea generation, and a more comprehensive and responsible understanding of digital inclusion, exclusion, and sustainability. The seminar also provided new insights into how to effectively combine blended mobility formats with international partnerships, improving the efficiency of activities within both, internal and international administrative processes. It also underscored that digitalisation should function as a bridge, built on critically considered decisions, aiming to reduce exclusion and open up opportunities in Erasmus+ and other activities.
This international seminar in Germany not only deepened the personal and professional competences of the International Activities Coordinator of the Alytus Faculty, but also brought significant added value to Kauno kolegija HEI as a whole. Participation in high-level international events like this is extremely valuable, as staff engaged in discussions, creative workshops, and practical activities bring back not just theoretical knowledge but also real-world solutions that help modernise and strengthen the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme and other activities.
Kauno kolegija HEI, considering digitalization as one of its strategic priorities, actively promotes and contributes to the professional development of its staff, including participation in international events, with the aim that the acquired knowledge and experience translate into real changes. Therefore, participation in this seminar, following a successful application, not only contributes to the institution’s goal of developing internationalization and cooperation but also demonstrates the its strategic commitment to fostering an innovative, inclusive, and socially responsible higher education environment.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor National Agency can be held responsible for them.
Comments