The European University Association – EUA published at the end of March the report of the Thematic Peer Group (TPG) Digitally Competent Teachers, in which CeiED researchers and Lusófona University teachers, Elsa Estrela and Carla Galego, participated. This report is the result of a year of joint work with colleagues from nine higher education institutions in Europe and was coordinated by Philippe Emplit, from Université Libre de Bruxelles, and Thérèse Zhang, from EUA.

The report underlines the need for an integrated approach to the institutional environment, with implications at several levels. Firstly, the need for the existence of a capacity to adapt the educational offer of HEIs, while defending its value. This means that the hybrid and blended learning model can be affirmed, but it is necessary to clearly demonstrate the added value and learning gains of the various digitally supported teaching approaches and delivery modes. Secondly, the importance of training for acquiring or updating teaching skills confirms that HEIs would gain from fostering a culture of lifelong learning and continuous professional development, in addition to ad hoc support and crisis management. Finally, the rapidly evolving nature of digital tools and digitally supported teaching implies that current recommendations will probably have to evolve as well. The ability of HEIs to adapt and develop new approaches is an important asset for innovation-driven societies.

The participation of the members of Universidade Lusófona was not only an opportunity to reflect together on an issue that is quite relevant for HEIs, but also to get to know the different practices of European institutions on this issue, establishing contacts that allow future institutional relationships. This report is of crucial importance in the European policy context by identifying opportunities to better support its members and the wider community of higher education in Europe