Online Workshop by EU-CONEXUS Office for Development of Study Offers (ODSO)

Bridging the Gap: Designing Industry-Aligned Study Programmes while Preserving Academic Mobility

This workshop is based on the recent experience of the University of Zadar in designing and submitting a new undergraduate programme in Mechatronics and Robotics for initial accreditation. The programme was developed from the ground up at a university traditionally rooted in the social sciences and humanities.

The first part (45 minutes) presents the full development journey: how industry partners from the Zadar region were engaged from the earliest stages, how their input shaped course content and learning outcomes, and how these requirements were balanced with the constraints of horizontal and vertical student mobility within Croatian and European higher education frameworks.

The second part (45 minutes) is a structured, hands-on exercise. Participants—regardless of disciplinary background—will work through a condensed version of this process by designing a short lifelong learning programme on “AI Applications in Your Field.” They will identify relevant industry partners, define programme-level learning outcomes, and outline the competencies and skills their graduates would acquire.

Online Workshop by EU-CONEXUS Office for Development of Study Offers (ODSO)

Workshop Structure

Part 1: Presentation 

  • Introduction  
  • Engaging Industry from Day One  
  • Translating Industry Needs into Learning Outcomes  
  • The Mobility Dilemma: Industry Wants Uniqueness, Accreditation Requires Compatibility
  • Infrastructure and the “Creative Resource” Challenge  
  • Lessons Learned and Reflections  
  • Q&A and Transition to Workshop  

Part 2: Workshop – Designing a Lifelong Learning Programme 

  • Mapping AI to Your Field  
  • Identifying Industry Partners  
  • Defining Programme-Level Learning Outcomes  
  • Competency and Skills Profile  
  • Group Presentations and Peer Feedback  

Learning Outcomes

 Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

  • Describe a structured approach to engaging industry partners in early-stage curriculum design  
  • Explain the tension between industry-driven differentiation and student mobility requirements within the EHEA 
  • Translate industry needs into clear, measurable programme-level learning outcomes  
  • Apply a condensed curriculum design process to their own field, including AI-focused lifelong learning programmes
  • Identify institutional and resource-related challenges in launching new programmes and propose practical solutions

Workshop Information

Dates and Times:  

  • Wednesday, May 6, 10:00 – 12:00 (CEST)  
  • Thursday, May 7, 14:00 – 16:00 (CEST)  

Format: Online  

Trainer: Marko Valčić, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Maritime Studies, University of Zadar  

Number of participants: Maximum 20  

Participants who successfully complete the workshop will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Registration

Registration is open until 3 May 2026. 

Teaching staff interested in participating are kindly asked to register by sending an email to: ijuran23@unizd.hr

The link to the online meeting will be sent to registered participants prior to the workshop. 

Register