Driving Digital Transformation in Higher Education: International Digital Week 2025, Université Côte d'Azur

From 16-20 June 2025, I joined over 250 participants from 35 countries and 65 partner universities at the 4th International Digital Week hosted by Université Côte d’Azur - a global platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration on digital transformation and technological innovation.

The week brought together academics, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and innovators to discuss major challenges and opportunities in digital culture, with a strong focus on building institutional readiness for a digitally enhanced and sustainable future.

As part of my contribution, I:

• Delivered two workshops on Digital Identity in Higher Education and Credentialing Systems in Europe, exploring how these technologies can increase trust, transparency, and mobility in education and employment.

• Collaborated with partner universities on a video series exploring "All Things Digital in Higher Education", capturing insights from diverse stakeholders.

• Engaged in Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) under the Ulysseus European University framework, focused on Digital Transformation in Higher Education, Teaching Skills for Educators in a Digitalized Environment, and Enhancing Internationalization through Digitalization.

  
  

  

Why this matters beyond academia:

• For enterprises and employers, digital identity and credentialing systems mean faster, more reliable verification of skills and qualifications, reducing hiring friction.

• Micro-credentials, one of my core areas of expertise, allow companies to participate in shaping targeted learning modules aligned to real industry needs, creating agile upskilling pathways.

• Cross-sector collaboration at events like this ensures that universities are not only keeping pace with technology, but co-creating talent pipelines that directly serve the evolving demands of the workforce.

  
  

Events like International Digital Week demonstrate the power of global cooperation in tackling complex digital challenges. Whether in education, business, or public service, the digital transformation journey is most successful when built on shared knowledge, diverse perspectives, and a commitment to innovation.