This panel discussion will explore the intersection of digital transformation and organizational learning in higher education institutions across Southeast Europe. Drawing on insights from our joint project about Digital Education Enhancement and Policy Engagement for Networks in Southeast Europe (DEEPEN), related projects on digitalisation for sustainability and resilience in the higher education sector and recent research on organizational learning, the panel will examine how tailored co-creative approaches can enhance digital infrastructure and resilience, promote academic excellence, and foster organizational learning processes. The session will address challenges and opportunities for higher education institutions in Southeast Europe, contributing to the broader discourse on organizational education research and its role in fostering integration, innovation, and regional growth.

Theoretical Framework

Recent research has highlighted the importance of organizational learning in higher education institutions, particularly in the context of digital transformation. Argote and Miron-Spektor's framework emphasizes the cyclical nature of experience, knowledge creation, and context in organizational learning.[i] In higher education, this process is crucial for adapting to technological changes and policy shifts.[ii] The DEEPEN project aligns with these theoretical perspectives by focusing on co-creative approaches to digital transformation and organizational resilience. Building on the European Framework for Digital Competence of Educators[iii] as a comprehensive guide for enhancing digital education infrastructure, we explore how higher education institutions in Southeast Europe can effectively navigate the challenges of digital transformation while fostering organizational learning and aligning with EU education policies.

Key Discussion Topics

1. Organizational Learning through Digital Transformation

• Exploring how the implementation of digital infrastructure acts as a catalyst for organizational learning in HEIs.
• Examining the role of co-creative approaches in fostering knowledge creation and sharing across institutional boundaries.

2. Policy Alignment and Organizational Adaptation

• Investigating how HEIs learn to align their policies with EU standards while maintaining their unique institutional identities.
• Discussing the challenges and opportunities in creating learning organizations within the constraints of national and supranational policies.

 3. Building Learning Ecosystems in Higher Education in Souteast Europe

• Analyzing the potential for creating regional learning networks among higher education institutions in Southeast Europe through digital collaboration platforms.
• Exploring how enhanced research capabilities can contribute to the development of learning ecosystems that span institutional and national boundaries. 

Suggested Panelists

Ms. Majlinda Bregu (Secretary General, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Albania)

Expertise: Regional development, EU integration policies, higher education cooperation in SEE

Dr. Marjan Milošević (University of Kragujevac, Serbia)

Expertise: e-learning systems, information security in education, digital competencies

Dr. Maja Ćukušić (University of Split, Croatia)

Expertise: e-learning, digital transformation in higher education, learning analytics

Prof. Dr. Kozeta Sevrani (University of Tirana, Albania)

Expertise: digitalization and internationalisation of higher education, digital technology in teacher education

The session will include a 10-minute introduction, followed by 15-minute presentations from each panelist, concluding with a 30-minute interactive Q&A session with the audience.

Relevance to ECER 2025 NW 32 Special Call

This panel will contribute to the ECER 2025 NW 32 Special Call by examining how organizational learning theories apply to digital transformation in higher education institutions in Southeast Europe, offering insights into fostering academic excellence, organizational resilience and regional growth through organizational learning processes.

[i] Argote, Linda, and Ella Miron-Spektor. "Organizational learning: From experience to knowledge." Organization science 22.5 (2011): 1123-1137. [ii] Dakovic, Goran, and Thérèse Zhang. "Student-centered learning from a European policy and practice perspective." The Routledge International Handbook of Student-Centered Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. Routledge (2020): 562-580. [iii] Punie, Yves, and Redecker, Christine “European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators: DigCompEdu” Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg (2017) doi:10.2760/159770 (online)