The I-HE2025 Conference explored innovations in online, blended and open education to create inclusive, adaptable, and future-proof learning environments. It brought together experts from different disciplines, offering innovative strategies for teaching, learning, research, and leadership. The Conference provided an excellent context for the DAISSy Research Group of the Hellenic Open University (HOU), to present the important results of its projects and initiatives and to network with fellow academics from the EADTU network of members.
HOU is a full member of the EADTU and is always strongly involved in the I-HE Conference, which attracts academics and researchers from more than twenty-five (25) countries on an annual basis. The DAISSy Research Group of the HOU was actively involved in the I-HE2025 Conference, presenting research papers and participating in a series of workshops and networking sessions.
Specifically, two papers, stemming from European research projects in which DAISSy personnel participates, were presented in the Conference. More precisely, the paper “The Role of Open Educational Resources in the Teaching Community: A Case Study of ENCORE”, authored by Prof. Ioannis Paliokas, Prof. Alexandros Tzallas and Prof. Achilles Kameas, presents the results of a mixed methods study, that was carried out in the framework of the Erasmus+ ENCORE project, regarding the perceptions of the teaching community on the ENCORE Open Recognition platform and assesses its potential as an effective enabler of open education practices. Then, the paper “Transforming Greek Classrooms: Fostering the 4Cs through Innovation”, authored by Dr. Aikaterini Nikolakopoulou, Prof. Christos Pierrakeas, Dr. Rizos Haliabalias and Prof. Achilles Kameas, which presents the results of a study involving Greek educators that was carried out in the context of the Erasmus+ 4C-Future project, which explores the integration of 21st-century competencies—Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication (“4Cs”)—in secondary education.
In addition, Achilles Kameas, Professor of the Faculty of Science & Technology of HOU and Director of DAISSy, chaired the “Diversity and Inclusion” session.
Last but not least, the I-HE2025 put special emphasis on the role of networks driving educational innovation. This provided an excellent opportunity for the OpenEU European University Alliance members to meet, discuss and showcase its progress. OpenEU is a network of ten (10) European Open and Distance Learning Universities subscribing to the mission of establishing a learner-centred, inclusive, digital and green open university for all with a European scope. The Alliance works for the digital transformation of Higher Education Institutions, supporting them in the integration of digital technologies for education, resulting in the reinforcement of digital dimension in the European Higher Education sector.
HOU is the OpenEU-member from Greece, and was represented by its Rector, Prof. Manolis Koutouzis, Prof. Achilles Kameas and other members of the HOU academic staff. During the days of the Conference, Prof. Kameas participated in meetings of the OpenEU Executive Board, the Institutional Coordinators and the WP3 Board on Widening Participation, as well as in the launch of the OpenEU Collaboration Platform and the Participatory Workshop to Co - Create Digital Education Futures that was organized by the OpenEU Think and Do Tank.
For more information on the I-HE2025 Conference of the EADTU: https://conference.eadtu.eu/en.
