Leaflets and articles

Presenting the leaflets and the articles for VIRTUALLYEDU.

Article - The impact (PDF)

Leaflet 1

Leaflet 2

Articles:

1. VIRTUALLYEDU: Sharing Opinions and Experience

The initiative supports HE institutions' growth strategies by creating a digital skills environment and enhancing virtual cooperation capabilities. By the end of the training program, all participants in this environment are well-equipped to meet the needs of digital education and global communication, including academic staff, youth groups, and trainers in addition to students. Recently, the project hosted the first round of student exchanges, where participants had the opportunity to share their knowledge and enrich their awareness on the variety of the modules, such as Multi Literacy and Multimodality, Cybersecurity, Digital Hate Speech and et cetera.

Kateryna Puhachova, Project Manager, Educator & Facilitator of the exchange program highlights that “the VIRTUALEDU Project is the great and innovative initiative which is  addressing significant issues in contemporary education, the VIRTUALEDU project plays a critical role in supporting digital literacy and fostering cross-cultural connectedness. Its goals are in perfect harmony with what the rapidly changing world requires, especially in higher education”.

Anastasiia Kuchuk, the VIRTUALLYEDU online exchange student, states that “the project is an amazing opportunity to acquire digital skills and gain a broad understanding of topics like digital learning environments. It offers practical tips on improving online learning and highlights beneficial tools while addressing the crucial issue of cybersecurity in our daily lives. The emphasis on cross-cultural communication, a key project objective, helped us engage extensively during the sessions. Through this, we not only learned valuable skills but also enhanced our ability to think critically, listen, understand others, and make inclusive decisions”.

For  more information, contact:

Ali Rashidi, The Head of International Cooperation Department at Folkuniversitetet Uppsala, ali.rashidi@folkuniversitetet.se

Yuliia Kozhukhivska, Assistant Project Manager at Folkuniversitetet Uppsala, yuliia.kozhukivska@folkuniversitetet.se

 

2. The impact of the VIRTUALLYEDU project on academic affairs

The VIRTUALLYEDU project is an Erasmus+ initiative boosting digital skills and virtual exchanges for students, including those at Yerevan Komitas State conservatory, fostering cross-cultural collaboration via online platforms Zoom, focusing on digital maturity, cybersecurity, and innovative EdTech to prepare students for a digital future.

Aram Hovhannisyan: vice rector for academic affairs of YKSC "I would like to especially emphasize that the participation in the VIRTUALLYEDU project allowed the conservatory to improve activities in the field of virtual academic affairs".

Virtual education uses digital tools for remote teaching, while academic affairs manages university programs, curriculum and faculty; together they involve adapting policies for online delivery, ensuring student support in digital spaces, leveraging technology for accessibility and personalized learning and addressing challenges like digital divides, engagement, and involving virtual conduct creating a modern, flexible, but complex educational landscape.

The VirtuallyEdu project benefits academic affairs by boosting digital literacy and cybersecurity skills, fostering intercultural competence through virtual exchanges with diverse peers, introducing innovative digital teaching methods, enhancing employability, and building a global network for students and staff, all while developing crucial skills for the modern digital work -force. It addresses gaps in digital skills, offers flexible learning, and creates sustainable, open-access educational resources for long-term use.

Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory

arkavanesov@gmail.com

 

3. RAISING DIGITAL AWARENESS IN GREECE WITH VIRTUALLYEDU

In the face of rapid digital transformation and growing online risks, VIRTUALLYEDU has emerged as a pioneering initiative promoting virtual exchanges and digital skills education across higher education institutions and youth organisations. Coordinated by Folkuniversitetet Uppsala in Sweden, in collaboration with partners from both EU and Eastern Neighborhood countries, this EU-funded project supports more than 2,500 young learners and educators through online collaboration, open-access courses, and interactive digital literacy training.

Through a comprehensive curriculum delivered on a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform, VIRTUALLYEDU offers ten comprehensive, online courses focused on digital communication, cybersecurity, and ethical technology use. Learners engage in both asynchronous and real-time training modules, including workshops, team discussions, and collaborative assignments, building not just technical proficiency, but also soft skills and cross-cultural awareness essential in today’s connected world.

Strengthening Digital Competence and Inclusion in Greece

Digitalisation is a strategic pillar in Greece’s strategy to modernise its public sector, enhance competitiveness, and bridge the digital divide—thus promoting economic resilience, inclusivity, and alignment with EU digital goals. Although Greece has made strong progress in digitalising public services—particularly in Digital Public Services (DPS), with 75.9% of services for citizens and 86.2% for businesses now available online—challenges remain.

According to Greece’s Digital Decade Country Report (2024) the digital transformation of businesses falls behind, with adoption rates for advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (5.3%), Cloud computing (24.1%), and Data Analytics (33.3%) significantly below EU targets. Additionally, a large portion of the population still lacks basic digital skills, with only 52.4% possessing them— 3.1 percentage points below the EU average. This skills gap limits individuals' ability to access digital public services, engage safely online, and participate in an increasingly digital economy. Moreover, low levels of awareness about digital rights, data protection, and cybersecurity further contribute to mistrust and underuse of available technologies.

Greece’s involvement in VIRTUALLYEDU is particularly significant considering the country’s ongoing efforts to also modernise its education system and the challenges it faces. The project supports these goals by reinforcing inclusive and innovative digital education strategies, such as offering access to online training for students in rural or economically disadvantaged areas. Moreover, it provides opportunities for Greek educators to upskill and actively participate in international virtual exchanges—thus improving their ability to deliver modern, tech-integrated instruction. The project’s commitment to cybersecurity and online safety also resonates deeply in Greece, where internet use among young people is increasingly popular, along with concerns over online abuse and misinformation which are also on the rise.

As part of its responsibilities within the VIRTUALLYEDU project, Metropolitan College in Greece will host a series of targeted training activities. These include the implementation of key courses on topics such as Cyberbullying, Digital Hate Speech, Social Media Safety, Multi-literacy and Multimodality. Delivered both locally and virtually, these modules are designed in alignment with the DigComp 2.2 framework to promote ethical digital engagement and improve digital competencies. The courses aim to equip students, educators, and youth workers in Greece with the necessary skills to navigate digital environments safely and responsibly.

Looking Forward

The benefits of VIRTUALLYEDU in Greece extend beyond the project's duration. The digital curriculum and facilitator training scheme will remain available as open educational resources, enable broader dissemination and continue professional development for educators. The online repository of Metropolitan College will serve as a long-term hub for digital education tools, supporting more institutions and professionals seeking to integrate virtual learning methodologies in their teaching.

As Greece continues to navigate the digital shift, VIRTUALLYEDU not only complements national efforts but elevates them—placing Greek institutions at the heart of a Europe-wide initiative dedicated to education, innovation, and intercultural cooperation.

For  more information on project, contact:

Yuliia Kozhukhivska, Project Manager at Folkuniversitetet Uppsala, yuliia.kozhukivska@folkuniversitetet.se

4. Transforming Education in Georgia: How VIRTUALLYEDU Advances Digital Literacy and Non-Formal Learning. 

The VIRTUALLYEDU project has been instrumental in reshaping Georgia’s educational landscape, marking a critical step toward digitalization, fostering international collaboration, and championing non-formal education. By bridging the gap between traditional education and the demands of a digitally connected world, this groundbreaking initiative has sparked innovation and established cross-border partnerships, creating new learning opportunities for young Georgians aged 18 to 30, particularly those in geographically isolated areas.

A New Era of Digital Literacy

In the digital age, equipping students and educators with robust digital literacy skills is essential. VIRTUALLYEDU addresses this critical need by providing tools and strategies to navigate, analyze, and assess information online responsibly. As Maksim Iavich, a mentor involved with the program, explains: “VirtuallyEDU goes beyond surface-level digital skills. It teaches students to question the sources of their information, assess its credibility, and consider the cultural perspectives it may reflect.”

This approach extends beyond basic technical training, integrating critical thinking, ethical technology use, and intercultural understanding into its curriculum. Through workshops, cross-border projects, and interactive group discussions, VIRTUALLYEDU fosters an environment where students not only develop technical skills but also cultivate respect for cultural diversity and global perspectives.

Liene Metreveli, International Project Manager of the Association “Georgian Youth for Europe,” representing one of the beneficiaries of this project, highlights its transformative nature: “The VIRTUALLYEDU project provides an incredible opportunity to connect with people from diverse cultures, broadening young people's horizons. Through virtual tools, participants gain valuable knowledge and apply it to real-life scenarios. These workshops not only introduce new concepts 

but also teach essential collaboration skills. Participants improve their ability to work effectively with others, a skill that will greatly benefit them in their future job searches. Additionally, they build confidence in using digital tools and engaging in online teamwork.”

Personalizing Digital Transformation

Mentors like Maksim Iavich play a pivotal role in the project’s success. They offer tailored guidance and personalized advice on topics ranging from cybersecurity basics to advanced digital research techniques. This mentorship deepens students' understanding of digital literacy, helping them explore its broader ethical and practical implications. As Iavich notes, “Our goal as mentors is to guide students in developing a lifelong curiosity and respect for digital tools. This isn’t just about preparing them for today’s digital landscape but about equipping them with skills and mindsets that will serve them well into the future.”

Lizi Lagirvandze, a participant in the first VIRTUALLYEDU online exchange and a graduate of the vocational education program for computer networks and systems at Shota Meskhia Zugdidi State University, is also an internally displaced person (IDP) from Abkhazia, a region of Georgia currently occupied by Russia. She states: “This project was a great opportunity for me to develop my digital skills. I’ve learned so many new things from this project, such as how to protect networks, systems, and programs from digital attacks, which was also very interesting to me. What’s also important is that I met many new people and had the chance to work with them and discuss various topics. This was a really interesting experience, and it’s great that we have the opportunity to attend courses virtually.”

Expanding Horizons: The Next Phase

Looking ahead, the VIRTUALLYEDU project is poised to build on its success and expand its impact. The upcoming phase will feature a second round of virtual exchanges, offering new learning and collaboration opportunities. Topics such as Multi-Literacy, Multimodality, Cybersecurity, and combating Digital Hate Speech will take center stage, further enhancing the integration of non-formal education. These initiatives aim to deepen participants’ understanding of contemporary global issues, equipping them with the tools to address these challenges and bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application.

By continuing to prioritize innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration, the VIRTUALLYEDU project is set to remain a transformative force in Georgia’s educational ecosystem.

For more information, please contact the following Georgian project partners:

These organizations are key collaborators in the VIRTUALLYEDU project, contributing their expertise and resources to ensure its success across Georgia.