Embracing the Digital Future: Highlights from the Digital4Business Plenary Meeting at Universidade NOVA de Lisboa

The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and the need for innovative education and collaboration among businesses and academic institutions has never been more critical. The recent Digital4Business (D4B) Plenary meeting at Universidade NOVA de Lisboa marked a significant step forward in this journey, bringing together representatives from each of our consortium partners. Over two days, from 28 to 29 February 2024, participants engaged in workshops, discussions, and planning sessions aimed at shaping the future of digital education and business collaboration.

Plenary Meeting Overview:

Hosted at the prestigious Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, the meeting commenced with a warm welcome from Professor Miguel de Castro Neto, Dean of NOVA IMS, setting the stage for a series of engaging and thought-provoking sessions. The agenda was packed with insightful discussions ranging from accreditation updates to customer experience workshops, digital pedagogy methods, and the unveiling of the Terawe Platform.

One of the most striking takeaways from the meeting was articulated by Horacio Gonzalez-Velez, the project coordinator from NCI, who emphasised the importance of collaboration in this digital age. He stated, “In an era where digital transformation is not just an option but a necessity, the collaboration between academic institutions and the business sector is pivotal. Through partnerships and shared knowledge, we can unlock the full potential of digital technologies to revolutionise education and business practices.”

Highlights and Decisions:

The plenary sessions on both days were marked by productive discussions and workshops focusing on various aspects of digital business and education. Key highlights included:

• The presentation of the annual work plan, providing an overarching view of Year 2’s objectives and strategies.
• An accreditation workshop aimed at fostering cooperation agreements and outlining the next steps in accreditation.
• Customer experience and digital pedagogy workshops that delved into practical methods for enhancing digital learning and user engagement.
• The presentation of a business plan under WP6, focusing on cost options and fees collection for the upcoming programs.

Significant decisions were made regarding the program structure, delivery sequences for both full-time and part-time programs, and the roll-out calendar and responsibilities. These decisions underscore the consortium’s commitment to delivering innovative and accessible digital education programs.

The D4B Plenary meeting at Universidade NOVA de Lisboa was more than just a gathering of minds; it was a testament to the power of collaboration in driving forward the digital transformation agenda. As Horacio Gonzalez-Velez eloquently put, the synergy between academic institutions and the business sector is not only beneficial but essential in navigating the challenges and opportunities of the digital era. The insights and decisions emerging from this meeting lay a solid foundation for future initiatives, promising to shape the landscape of digital education and business practices for years to come.

The Digital4Business consortium continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in digital education and collaboration. As we move forward, the lessons learned and partnerships forged at the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping a digitally savvy future.