NEXT is the Erasmus+ KA2 CBHE project started on November 1, 2023; it finishes on October 31, 2026.

The project is being carried out by the consortium:

  • Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA) – coordinator
  • Czech Technical University in Prague (CVUT) – conso­rtium member
  • Carinthia University of Applied Science (CUAS) – conso­rtium member
  • Dublin City University (DCU) – conso­rtium member
  • Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (ISKPI) – conso­rtium member
  • Odesa Polytechnic National University (OPNU) – conso­rtium member
  • Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (IFNUL) – conso­rtium member
  • Cherkasy State Technological University (ChSTU) – conso­rtium member
  • Accenture (ACT) – associated partner
  • Atos IT Solutions and Services in Slovakia (ATS) – associated partner

The objective of the NEXT project is to narrow the existing gap between the rapid pace of digital transformation, and the training of specialists from different fields, especially those that are not related to IT. The issue is that at present the aforementioned specialists are not sufficiently skilled to efficiently work with digital technologies and tools, and to understand possible pitfalls in their use, including mental health issues and legal matters.

The specific objectives of the NEXT project include the following.

  • Educating students of different specialities on the digital technology, soft skills, legal aspects, and mental health maintenance to help them in getting ready for changing requirements of the modern job market towards next-generation ‘digital’ jobs.
  • Training academic staff to support learners with qualified coaches who can assist them in their studies for digital transformations.
  • Developing innovative learning resources in line with the newest trends in digital technologies.
  • Enhancing students’ teamwork as well as improving their digital skills through carrying out student projects contest.
  • Establishing advanced multimedia laboratories in Ukrainian universities, which will support students by providing them an opportunity of gaining practical experience in using the newest hardware and technologies.

The project’s work plan includes five work packages:

  • WP1 Project management
  • WP2 Analysis of ‘digital’ labour market requirements and ‘digital’ employee’s needs
  • WP3 Capacity building for learner-centred informal ‘digital’ education
  • WP4 Learning resources testing and validation
  • WP5 Launching of learner-centred informal ‘digital’ education
  • WP6 Building of the NEXT-Network
  • WP7 Dissemination and exploitation

More information is available at the NEXT project website (https://nextstudy.eu)

Contact information: [email protected] (official), [email protected] (local contact)