South + Islands

Strengthening Digital Skills: South + Islands [Reforço das Competências Digitais: Digital Sul + Ilhas]

The project aims to enhance digital literacy and technological skills in non-STEAM areas through innovative micro-credentials and tailored postgraduate programs. This initiative focuses on addressing skill gaps and employment challenges, particularly in underrepresented regions of Portugal, while aligning with the objectives of the Portugal INCoDe 2030 strategy and the national Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

The consortium offers a diverse range of modular training programs designed for hybrid or remote learning formats. These programs cover areas such as digital literacy, computational thinking, programming, data-driven marketing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and multimedia communication. Additionally, the consortium has developed a 30 ECTS postgraduate program to equip professionals from non-STEAM fields to confidently teach information and communication technologies (ICT).

The project aspires to train 2,400 participants, including young people and professionals, to meet the growing demand for digital and ICT-related skills in the labor market, ensuring that training is accessible and aligned with Portugal’s national digital transformation goals.

The Digital Sul + Ilhas Consortium includes six prominent Portuguese Higher Education Institutions:

• Universidade Nova de Lisboa (including the participation of NOVA IMS) (Coord.) (PT)
• Universidade do Algarve (UAlg) (PT)
• Universidade de Évora (UÉ) (PT)
• Universidade da Madeira (UMa) (PT)
• Universidade dos Açores (UAc) (PT)
• Egas Moniz – Cooperativa de Ensino Superior (PT)

This collaborative effort combines regional expertise to address digital skill gaps and foster innovation in education across Portugal's southern and island regions.

NOVA IMS plays a key role in this project by leveraging its expertise in data science and digital education. NOVA IMS is responsible for developing innovative micro-credential modules, with a focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. Specific contributions include:

• Curriculum Design: Creating modular and flexible learning paths tailored to the needs of non-STEAM professionals.
• Data-Driven Training Modules: Developing courses in data analytics, machine learning, and AI applications to prepare participants for data-intensive roles.
• Digital Infrastructure Adaptation: Ensuring the transition of in-person courses to hybrid and remote formats by leveraging advanced e-learning platforms and methodologies.
• Capacity Building: Providing resources and technical expertise to support participants and faculty in integrating cutting-edge digital tools and practices into their teaching and learning processes.

NOVA IMS also leads initiatives to monitor and assess the impact of the project, ensuring alignment with national and EU objectives for digital transformation and education.

Website: under construction

Funding programme: Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES)

Funding to NOVA IMS: €157 908,92

Duration: 2023 - 2026