The EPICUR Forum will offer exciting activities and exchanges around themes directly related to the activities of the EPICUR Alliance. This year, the forum aims to bring together students and staff from our universities around different activities dedicated to the themes of innovation and inclusion. Here is an interview with Athena Vakali Prof. School of Informatics and Trasyvoulos Tsiatsos, Assoc Prof. School of Informatics, at the Aristotle Universitythe, organisers of the panel on mobility without borders.
> What are the main obstacles to mobility without borders and what are the new advances
Our pandemic era has really challenged mobility, especially at higher education level, but at the same time it has redefined the ways we learn and educate, with virtual learning experiences overcoming borders and barriers ! Some main obstacles could be regarded the financial support, the legal framework/recognition of student effort and the language skills of the students. New ways of accreditation like micro-credentials or rewarding could be deployed for specialization track certification or skills recognition.
> How can interactive technologies contribute to the creation of the New Digital and Physical University?
Interactive technologies could definitely contribute in cross reality applications by making the borders between the digital and online ecosystem transparent to our students. AI and data technologies have the capacity to reinforce the next generation University by detecting topics and new norms of hybrid (on-site; online) learning, adapting to potential challenges (eg lockdown) or other unforeseen societal and/or economic critical issues.
> Can you explain what we mean when we talk about innovations in your field ?
Well established or emerging tools and technologies like multimedia and blockchain could be used in order to support adaptive and personalized learning experiences and their accreditation. With educational data analytics and AI, innovative forms of learning modes can be recommended or customized, especially for vulnerable students and/or educators groups who have no easy access to learning and knowledge.
> What should the EPICUR staff and students expect from your thematic?
The aims of our session are numerous, we believe that after attending it EPICUR staff and students will: i) Be aware about the challenges related with the creation of the new digital and physical University for supporting mobilities without borders, ii) Learn the activities of EPICUR and partner Universities to tackle these challenges, iii) Increase their awareness and their knowledge about Data/AI impact on todays educational norms, and iv) be motivated to advance their skills in these areas towards building technology savvy resilient University communities.
