Danubius International University, as a leader, organized, on November 26, in the Senate Hall, the launch of the Pro Digitalization in Education Project - PRODIGY, in the presence of the implementation teams and partners - Egomundi Association, EOS Foundation - Educating for an Open Society, The House of Teachers BRĂILA and The House of Teachers ARGEȘ.

The project aims to increase the number of pre-university teachers who will acquire digital skills and digital pedagogy, to effectively integrate technologies in teaching - learning - assessment practices, to prepare students for the digital age and to increase the quality of the educational act at the national level .

The development of digital pedagogy skills for teachers, including those related to the collection and effective use of available tools and resources in teaching activities, evaluation, communication with parents, creation and exchange of content and digital resources are activities that will take place within this project.

Objectives:

1. CheckmarkConducting professional training programs for the development of digital skills and digital pedagogy for 5000 teachers
2. The publication of at least 2500 open educational materials on the educred.ro platform for the exchange of practices
3. Mentoring activities for participants (target group), for the application in the didactic activity of the skills obtained following participation in the training program, for a period of 3 months
4. Equipping schools from which GT members come with educational hardware and software equipment.

The predicted indicators for this project:

1. Number of teaching staff from state pre-university education (GT) trained in the field of digital pedagogy - 5000 teaching staff, of which at least 1700 from secondary and high school and 2010 from rural areas
2. Open access to educational materials published on a platform of the Ministry of Education that will include a collection of multimedia lessons that will serve as best practice models for each curriculum area/discipline of study, for different levels of education produced by state pre-university teachers (target group) who participated in the training within the Project.

The total value of the requested financing - 19,823,200.00 lei, financed by PNRR.

On November 20, 2024, the Rector of Danubius International University, Dr. Steve O Michael and the Chancellor of Newton University, Dr. Ana Plechata Krausova, signed a memorandum of agreement in furtherance of their mutual vision.  The vision includes expanding opportunities for students and faculty, exploring and implementing innovative collaborative programming, and deepening international cooperation and understanding.

“It is refreshing to have a partner who shares similar understanding of internationalization and who is eager and committed to implementing cost-effective, creative, exchange programs that benefit students and faculty,” said Dr. Michael.  “Newton University is pleased to establish this partnership, and we look forward to all of our upcoming joint projects,” said Dr. Krausova.  Both leaders expressed their gratitude to the leadership of Dr. Dagmar Caganova and her staff for organizing the signing ceremony.

“I foresee a very close relationship between Danubius and Newton.  As I have always said, institutions do not sign agreement, people do on behalf of their institutions and the closer they are, the easier to collaborate and the more fruitful their collaboration,” Dr. Michael noted.

Danubius International University is represented again this year by its President of the Board,  Dr. Andy Pușcă at the 17th AUAP 2024 General Conference hosted by Jagran University Lakecity, Bhopal, India from November 18-20, 2024 on the theme "Paradigm Shift in Education Higher Education: Values for Life".  This transformative event will explore in depth the landscape of education higher education and explore the crucial role of values in shaping the future learning and personal development through higher education development.

ABOUT AUAP GENERAL CONFERENCE

AUAP General Conference provides delegates with opportunities to connect, share best practices, and gain insights into innovative ways in which Asia-Pacific universities are partnering across the region and the world. The AUAP General Conference 2024 program focuses on the impact of such collaborations on the sustainability of International education.

ABOUT ASSOCIATION OF THE UNIVERSITIES OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (AUAP)

The AUAP is a Non – Government Organization (NGO) holding the highest formal consultation rights with UNESCO. Its primary purpose is to be the main platform for interaction and collaboration among members and the voice of universities and colleges in Asia and the Pacific. AUAP organizes regular conferences and workshops for higher education leaders and institutions, to recognize and discuss important issues and challenges facing higher education today. It is an organization that enhances cooperation among institutions, and is dedicated to render service to its members.

The main missions of the AUAP are to promote a culture of quality and innovation in higher education, research and service to the community; to preserve and enhance the values and cultural diversity of Asia and the Pacific towards better understanding and cooperation for socio- economic development and universal peace; and to maintain a platform for interaction and collaboration among members and be the voice of universities in Asia and the Pacific.

The AUAP organizes varied activities for the staff and students alike. We hold faculty development seminars and workshops, joint research activities, and faculty exchange programs. For the students we organize English speech competitions, student debates, student leadership training programs, student exchange programs and student academic Olympiads.

Very recently, we developed an instrument for determining the readiness of institutions in undertaking internationalization programs. Most importantly, the AUAP will soon unveil its Quality Assurance Instrument for rating institutions based on self-evaluation. These instruments are for the use of our members and non-members also.

Website: https://auapgc2024.jlu.edu.in/

Program - Schedule: https://auapgc2024.jlu.edu.in/tantative-program-schedule/

Mioara Lepădatu,

PR Specialist

On November 9, starting at 10 a.m., in room A38, the Danubius International University is hosting the UNESCO Week Symposium: The New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public-Interest Information.

The central theme - "Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) - Challenges and opportunities in the current context", moderator  is Dr. Mirela Curcă, Faculty of Communication and International Relations, Danubius International University

Speakers

Dr. Elena Enache, Audiovisual Inspector at the National Audiovisual Council

Mr. Sorin Rugină, TV producer, will address the topic "Fake news - from the Revolution from 1989 to the present"

Why participate?

Because in an ever-changing world, staying informed means having the power to choose! Whether you are passionate about tech, media or simply curious about the future, this event is for you.

Let's discuss how technology and information are changing, the limits and potential of artificial intelligence in media, and how we can use these new tools for a safer and more informed future!