BLENDED EDUCATION IN WESTERN BALKANS UNIVERSITIES
Call: ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE
(Capacity building in the field of higher education)
Topic: ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE-STRAND-2
Type of Action: ERASMUS-LS
(ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants)
Proposal number: 101179451
Proposal acronym: BEWBU
Type of Model Grant Agreement: ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant
Project website: https://bewbu.net/
Contact person UNIKO: Prof.as.dr. Benita Stavre bstavre@unkorce,edu.al
The BEWBU project aims to build the teacher´s and HEI institutions capacities, and to improve the pedagogical competences of higher education through the integration of blended education in the programs of the Western Balkans universities as a necessity for the education system to be more flexible for new crisis, inclusiveness and democratization of the education process. The focus is the developing of the pedagogical and digital capacity in higher education through integration of BE in the education programs of the WB HEIs as a necessity for the future teachers of the Digital Age and their engagement in regional and European labor market. The implementation of pedagogical practice in the teaching programs of WB partners affects directly the pre-university education system, by preparing the actual students/the teachers of the future with the ability to understand and implement the Blended learning (BL) and Blended teaching (BT) approach in their profession.
Specific objective:
To enhance the pedagogical and digital capacities of academic staff and students through incorporation of innovative learning and teaching methods in the WB HEIs for blended education.
- Professional development of academic staff: Incorporating BE innovative teaching methods will help educators to improve their skills and knowledge, making them more effective in the classroom.
- Improved student learning outcomes: Using innovative teaching methods can help students to better understand and retain information, leading to improved academic performance.
- Increased student engagement: BE can make learning more interactive and engaging for students, increasing their motivation and involvement in the learning process.
Consortium
The consortium is composed of 11 experienced partners, 3 from EU Countries and 8 from Western Balkans (Region 1) and 3 associate partners
EU HEI partners are: i) Tampere University of Applied Sciences, TAMK, Finland; ii) University of León, ULE, Spain; iii) University West, HV, Sweden
WB HEI partners are: i) University of Aleksander Moisiu, UAMD, Albania; ii) University of Fan Noli, UNIKO, Albania; iii) University of Mostar, SUM, Bosnia and Herzegovina; iv) University of Banja Luka, UNIBL, Bosnia and Herzegovina; v) University of Montenegro, UOM, Montenegro; vi) University of Donja Gorica, UDG, Montenegro; vii) University of Prishtina, UP, Kosovo[1]; viii) University of Fehmi Agani, UGJFA, Kosovo
Associate partners
- Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, MESTI, Kosovo
- Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro, MPNI, Montenegro
- Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Hercegovina-Neretva Canton, MONKS HNK, Bosnia and Herzegovina
MESIMDHENIA E KOMBINUAR NE UNIVERSITETET E BALLKANIT PERENDIMOR
Projekti BEWBU synon të rrisë aftësitë e mësimdhënësve, si dhe të përmirësojë kompetencat pedagogjike të arsimit të lartë përmes integrimit të mësimit të kombinuar në kurrikulat univeristare të Ballkanit Perëndimor. Fokusi është zhvillimi i kapacitetit pedagogjik dhe dixhital në arsimin e lartë përmes integrimit të Arsimit të Lartë në programet arsimore të IAL-ve të Ballkanit Perëndimor, si një domosdoshmëri për mësuesit e ardhshëm të Epokës Dixhitale dhe angazhimin e tyre në tregun rajonal dhe evropian të punës. Zbatimi i praktikës pedagogjike në programet mësimore të partnerëve të Ballkanit Perëndimor ndikon drejtpërdrejt në sistemin arsimor parauniversitar, duke përgatitur studentët/mësuesit e së ardhmes me aftësinë për të kuptuar dhe zbatuar qasjen e të nxënit të përzier (BL) dhe të mësimdhënies së përzier (BT) në profesionin e tyre.
Objektiva specifike:
Të përmirësojë kapacitetet pedagogjike dhe dixhitale të stafit akademik dhe studentëve përmes përfshirjes së metodave inovative të të nxënit dhe mësimdhënies në IAL-të e Ballkanit Perëndimor për arsim të përzier.
Konsorciumi
Konsorciumi përbëhet nga 11 partnerë me përvojë, 3 nga vendet e BE-së dhe 8 nga Ballkani Perëndimor (Rajoni 1), si dhe 3 partnerë të asociuar.
Partnerët HEI nga BE-ja janë:
i) Tampere University of Applied Sciences, TAMK, Finlandë;
ii) University of León, ULE, Spanjë;
iii) University West, HV, Suedi.
Partnerët HEI nga Ballkani Perëndimor janë:
i) Universiteti “Aleksandër Moisiu”, UAMD, Shqipëri;
ii) Universiteti “Fan Noli”, UNIKO, Shqipëri;
iii) Universiteti i Mostarit, SUM, Bosnje dhe Hercegovinë;
iv) Universiteti i Banja Lukës, UNIBL, Bosnje dhe Hercegovinë;
v) Universiteti i Malit të Zi, UOM, Mali i Zi;
vi) Universiteti i Donja Goricës, UDG, Mali i Zi;
vii) Universiteti i Prishtinës, UP, Kosovë[1];
viii) Universiteti “Fehmi Agani”, UGJFA, Kosovë.
Partnerë të asociuar:
- Ministria e Arsimit, Shkencës, Teknologjisë dhe Inovacionit, MESTI, Kosovë;
- Ministria e Arsimit, Shkencës dhe Inovacionit e Malit të Zi, MPNI, Mali i Zi;
- Ministria e Arsimit, Shkencës, Kulturës dhe Sportit e Kantonit Hercegovinë-Neretva, MONKS HNK, Bosnje dhe Hercegovinë.
Activities:
- Kick-off Meeting_ Universiteti “Aleksandër Mosiu” Durrës
On January 29, 2025, the #BEWBU Erasmus+ Project was launched at Aleksander Moisiu University in Durrës, with the Rector and partner representatives in attendance. Funded by the European Commission, the project aims to strengthen higher education in the Western Balkans by integrating Blended Education (BE) into curricula, enhancing digital and pedagogical capacities, and promoting inclusivity and modernisation.
Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Dr. Shkëlqim Fortuzi, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gunnar Peterson, and Prof. Dr. Tamara Pribisev Beleslin, followed by presentations of work packages from partner institutions. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing BEWBU’s mission over the next 33 months.
https://bewbu.net/index.php/2025/01/29/kickoff-meeting/
- Workshop at Tampere University of Applied Sciences
The BEWBU project’s (Blended Education in Western Balkans Universities) workshop held at Tampere University of Applied Sciences from April 8th to April 10th, 2025, was a comprehensive event focused on blended education (BE) and hybrid learning.
The event brought together EU educators from Finland, Sweden, and Spain, along with 8 partner Western Balkans institutions, to share insights, discuss country-specific educational practices, and identify training needs.
The project consortium is now ready to continue training of trainers next autumn. The workshop was jointly hosted by the Applied Research Centre (Sanna Ruhalahti) and Pedagogical Innovations and Culture (Jiri Vilppola).
Workshop- Mësimdhënia e kombinuar në Universitetet e Ballkanit Perëndimor u mbajt në Universitetin e Shkencave të Aplikuara të Tamperes 8 -10 prill 2025. Aktiviteti mblodhi së bashku mësimdhënës të BE-së nga Finlanda, Suedia dhe Spanja, së bashku me 8 institucione partnere të Ballkanit Perëndimor, për të ndarë njohuri, për të diskutuar praktikat arsimore specifike të vendit dhe për të identifikuar nevojat e trajnimeve të mëvonshme në kuadër të projektit.
Konsorciumi i projektit tani është gati të vazhdojë trajnimin e trajnerëve vjeshtën e ardhshme.
Postimi II
https://bewbu.net/index.php/2025/04/13/the-bewbu-projects-workshop-held-at-tampere/
- Workshop E. 3. 1. on Best Practices of Blended Education (BE) in EU/WB Higher Education Institutions
The Workshop E.3.1. on Best Practices of Blended Education (BE) in EU/WB Higher Education Institutions. September 9–11, 2025 University West, Trollhättan, Sweden
Over these three days, participants:
- Exploredthe policy framework regulating and supporting Blended Education in universities
- Continued withthe training on BL competences and BE learning design.
- Discussedrecommendations for a catalogue of digital pedagogical competencies
- Workedon developing an assessment plan for Blended Education in WB HEIs
Sharing Experiences: One of the key aspects of the workshop was the opportunity for all participants to share their experiences and learn from each other. By engaging in discussions and exchanging best practices, the BEWBU project fosters international cooperation between Western Balkans and European universities, enriching the learning environment for all involved.
https://bewbu.net/index.php/2025/09/10/blended-education-in-western-balkans-universities-bewbu/
- Workshop E.3.2: Study Visit at the University of León, Spain
The Blended Education in Western Balkans Universities (BEWBU) project held its Workshop E.3.2: Study Visit at the University of León, Spain, from October 7–10, 2025.
This study visit was an important milestone in the BEWBU project, enhancing the exchange of experiences and good practices in blended education while supporting inclusive and innovative learning environments across the Western Balkans.
This four-day event brings together partners from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Finland, Sweden, and Spain to strengthen capacities in blended education and promote innovative teaching methods across Western Balkans universities.
Training Sessions & Workshops included:
- Diverse students and accessible teaching in blended education – Prof. Sanna Ruhalahti (TAMK)
- Self-regulated Blended Learning course design – guided by supervisors Roberto Baelo and Mario Grande (ULE)
- Active and collaborative teaching methods in BE – Prof. Jiri Vilppola (TAMK)
- Digital teaching and learning materials (podcasts, videos, other sources) – Prof. Jiri Vilppola (TAMK)
- Digital guidance, counselling and feedback – Prof. Sanna Ruhalahti (TAMK)
https://bewbu.net/index.php/2025/10/
- BEWBU Blended Education Training Concludes – 27 Digital Badges Awarded
The BEWBU Blended Education Pedagogical Training Programme (2025) has successfully concluded. Coordinated by Dr. Sanna Ruhalahti and Dr. Jiri Vilppola from Tampere University of Applied Sciences, the initiative brought together academic staff and students from Western Balkan universities to strengthen their pedagogical and digital competences.
A key outcome of the training was the awarding of the competence-based digital badge “Digital and Blended Pedagogy Expert.” This open badge formally recognises participants’ ability to design and deliver high-quality blended learning courses, integrate digital pedagogy, and apply innovative assessment methods. In total, 27 participants earned this digital badge, demonstrating their commitment to advancing blended education within their institutions.
With the training phase now complete, the focus shifts to implementation. The newly trained academic staff will begin delivering the blended education courses they have designed, applying their knowledge in real teaching contexts. They will also develop and refine teaching materials aligned with blended pedagogical models. Furthermore, these HE educators are set to play a pivotal role in building institutional capacity by training their colleagues at their home universities, thereby fostering a sustainable culture of digital and blended learning.
Congratulations to all badge recipients for their outstanding achievements. The BEWBU project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, continues to support the digital transformation of higher education through competence-based recognition and collaborative professional development.
Bashkengjitur ketij materiali: Badge 1: Prof,as,dr, Benita Stavre, Badge 2: Dr. Suela Koca. Badge 3: Dr. Lorena Robo