Posted on September 1, 2025
The University of Bologna (UniBo) is a cornerstone of higher education and innovation, so it’s fantastic that their talented team are involved in forming our Digital4Business Master’s programme.
The programme is powered by four leading European higher education institutions, and here we’re shining the spotlight on UniBo. It was established in 1088, and is the oldest continuously operating university in the Western world and the first degree-awarding institution. With over 90,000 students across its five main campuses plus a branch in Buenos Aires, it ranks among Europe’s largest universities.
The university truly has academic breadth, offering a comprehensive curriculum and is consistently first in Italy for academic reputation, sustainability, and research networks. UniBo brings excellence across digital and analytical disciplines, a deep commitment to sustainability and global impact and strong industry connections. Together with our other prestigious academic partners, the University of Bologna offers Digital4Business students a rare fusion of historical depth, academic excellence, technological innovation, and a global perspective.
Innovative teaching practices and interactive learning
Students undertaking the Digital4Business master’s programme will benefit from the teaching nous of the UniBo team when they take either the Digital Transformation or Innovation modules. Marika Mascitti from UniBo explains: “We focus on the use of new technologies such as AI, the Internet of Things in education and how digital transformation has changed our way of teaching, and learning and has an impact on society.”
Marika adds: “Within the Digital4Business programme, UniBo’s contribution is rooted in an educational and pedagogical perspective, aimed at strengthening critical thinking and raising awareness of the social and human implications of digital transformation. Our focus goes beyond efficiency and innovation in business processes, such as resource optimisation or personnel management, to include a broader reflection on how technologies impact individuals, organisations, and society at large. We promote a responsible, sustainable, and inclusive use of emerging technologies, with particular attention to their effects on the human dimension.”
During this key component of the programme, participants will be supported in developing critical digital leadership skills. They will explore innovative business models, question dominant technological paradigms, and define strategic approaches that balance innovation with social responsibility and human well-being.
The modules will be divided into synchronous and asynchronous activities. The asynchronous sections are structured as an entire lecture that you can do at your own pace. The live sessions will be an opportunity to meet a professional or an academic expert who will deepen your knowledge about the topic. Markika says: “They will present real-world scenarios and hands-on activities to promote your digital skills and enhance your problem-solving skills for real-world-based problems.”
In the Innovation module, students will gain a critical awareness of how creative and innovative strategies can be implemented effectively. The UniBo faculty team will help you learn through gamification, problem-based learning and the flipped classroom approach, which presents the material ahead of the class and uses the live class time to explore it more deeply with the tutor so that students’ questions can drive the content of the session. There’s a mix of live lectures, independent learning at your own pace and laboratory work to cover all the topics.
Bringing together UniBo’s genius and digital innovation
How does your UniBo prepare students for their future careers in digital business or related fields?
Marika: As a team from the Department of Education Sciences at the University of Bologna, our approach to preparing students for careers in digital business is grounded in a strong educational and critical framework. Through the Digital4Business programme, we contribute to developing professionals who are not only capable of navigating digital tools and strategies, but also of critically assessing their implications within organisations and society. Particular attention is given to issues such as the impact of emerging technologies on work environments, the sustainable and inclusive management of digital processes, and the role of human agency in decision-making and innovation. Our goal is to support learners in becoming responsible and thoughtful digital leaders, able to balance technological advancement with social awareness and long-term sustainability.
Preparing graduates for the future
How does UniBo incorporate emerging trends such as AI or big data (or others) into its teaching?
“Our team at the Department of Education Sciences does not reject the use of artificial intelligence in educational practices — on the contrary, we actively promote the development of AI literacy as a key competence for both learners and educators, in line with the principles outlined in the European AI Act and with the institutional guidelines adopted by the University of Bologna regarding the ethical, responsible, and inclusive use of AI in teaching and research contexts.
“For us, AI literacy means encouraging a critical, informed, and reflective use of AI tools—one that recognises their potential to enhance human capabilities without replacing the central role of human reasoning, creativity, and relational competence. In our teaching approach, AI is integrated as a support mechanism that fosters autonomy and active learning. For example, in assessment processes, we guide students to interact with AI tools in ways that allow them to receive personalised feedback on their work, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and build their competencies through iterative, self-regulated learning.
“In doing so, learners are not treated as passive recipients of AI-generated content, but as active, critical participants capable of shaping how these technologies are integrated into education and the broader professional landscape.
This approach is fully aligned with our university’s vision, as reflected in the official policy on Artificial Intelligence, which emphasises transparency, equity, and the protection of human dignity as foundational principles for AI integration in academic environments.
What is your university’s vision for the long-term impact of the Digital4Business programme on European SMEs and the broader business landscape?
“We believe that the Digital4Business programme is a strategic contribution to the long-term digital and cultural transformation of European SMEs and the broader business ecosystem. By combining advanced technological skills with critical, ethical, and pedagogical perspectives, our aim is to foster a new generation of professionals capable of driving innovation in a way that is not only efficient and competitive, but also socially responsible and sustainable.
From our standpoint within the Department of Education Sciences, we believe that lasting impact comes from empowering individuals to understand the broader implications of digital technologies — on organisational structures, labour dynamics, and human relationships. In this sense, Digital4Business supports SMEs not only by strengthening their digital capabilities, but also by cultivating leadership that is attentive to people, context, and long-term value creation. Ultimately, the programme aspires to contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and reflective European business landscape—where digital transformation goes hand in hand with ethical awareness and human-centred innovation.
Interested in learning digital skills and forming an exciting career path?
In the Digital4Business Master’s programme, the University of Bologna (UniBo) combines world-class research, cross-disciplinary teaching, and strong industry partnerships to prepare professionals for a fast-moving digital economy. Alongside our partner universities, UniBo delivers a truly international education that turns advanced knowledge into practical, career-ready impact.
Application deadline is September 8, 2025 — APPLY TODAY
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