Blog

In our blog, we regularly publish articles, opinion pieces, good practices and much more on the future of academic education. Would you also like to publish something with us? Then contact us at kommunikation@hochschulforum.org.

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EU interventions in higher education – Higher impact with a lighter touch?

EU interventions in higher education – Higher impact with a lighter touch?

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission published its proposal for the Erasmus+ regulation 2028–2034. In this article, Peter van der Hijden reflects on how the programme could achieve higher impact with a lighter touch. He discusses key dossiers such as European Universities, european degree labels, and micro-credentials, and outlines pragmatic ways to strengthen effectiveness, innovation, and interoperability in higher education across Europe.

Peter van der Hijden-author-hfd
Peter van der Hijden
18.09.25
Yellow background with a globe, stacked coins topped by a graduation cap, books, and hands holding EU flags. Blue banner reads: “Blog – EU Interventions in Higher Education. Higher impact with a lighter touch? By Peter van der Hijden. Hochschulforum Digitalisierung logo.

AI and Learning Analytics – Impressions from Norway

AI and Learning Analytics – Impressions from Norway

In May 2025, Nina Christ, Julia Geißler, Lisa Ulzheimer (RheinMain University of Applied Sciences) and Christian Hoppe (TU Darmstadt) travelled to Norway with the support of Hochschulforum Digitalisierung. At the University of Bergen, they explored how artificial intelligence and learning analytics are shaping teaching and research - and what strategic, technical and didactic approaches Germany can learn from Norway\'s digitalization of education.

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Lisa Ulzheimer, Christian Hoppe, Nina Christ, Julia Geißler
26.08.25

AI and the Paradigm Shift in Education: From Fear to Opportunity

AI and the Paradigm Shift in Education: From Fear to Opportunity

The education sector is undergoing a paradigm shift driven by artificial intelligence (AI). In this blog article, Steve Joordens, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, considers the implications of this shift for the future of academia. Drawing on his long-standing expertise and his university’s digital transformation initiatives, he takes a step back to consider the broader implications of AI-driven change.

Professor Steve Joordens
Steve Joordens
30.06.25
Picture with an abstract graphic showing a student and the word „A I“. Under that the text: AI and the Paradigm Shift in Education: From Fear to Opportunity. A blog article by Steve Joordens.

Interoperability and Beyond: Building Consensus on the Future of HE in Europe

Interoperability and Beyond: Building Consensus on the Future of HE in Europe

What kind of common vision is needed to ensure access, quality, and shared values in European higher education? Thomas Ekman Jørgensen, Director for Policy Coordination and Foresight at the European University Association, argues that digital interoperability raises political questions that require more than technical fixes – above all, they call for consensus on the future shape of European higher education.

Foto von Thomas Ekman
Thomas Ekman Jørgensen
18.06.25

Integrating (Digital) Wellbeing into Institutional Strategy: What German Universities can learn from the University of British Columbia

Integrating (Digital) Wellbeing into Institutional Strategy: What German Universities can learn from the University of British Columbia

Promoting wellbeing at universities is no longer a peripheral issue: it forms the foundation for successful (digital) teaching and learning environments and is increasingly being strategically embedded on an international level. Universities like the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada recognized this early on and integrated wellbeing deeply into their institutional strategy. For this blog article, Mandy MacRae, Wellbeing Engagement Strategist at UBC, provides insights into the history and significance of the wellbeing initiative and explains how challenges and successes have shaped UBC's journey toward becoming a health-promoting university.

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Theresa Sommer
05.05.25
A picture of flowers and the text: "Integrating (Digital) Wellbeing into Institutional Strategy: What German Universities Can Learn from the University of British Columbia.” By Theresa Sommer.

PURPOSE. POLICIES. PRACTICES: Relevant Aspects for Scaling Learning Space Innovations at Universities

PURPOSE. POLICIES. PRACTICES: Relevant Aspects for Scaling Learning Space Innovations at Universities

What insights can be gained from learning space innovations in other countries for the situation in Germany? In this blog post, Prof. Dr. Katja Ninnemann shares experiences and insights from her research stays in Sweden, Singapore and Australia, summarizing  them into concise hypotheses based on the constructive alignment model. It becomes clear that major changes require appropriate policy frameworks as a base and then often start with small initiatives. Thus, instead of waiting for perfect new buildings, new policy approaches as well as simple and local measures could provide the impetus for the next big learning space innovation Made in Germany.

Katja Ninnemann
Katja Ninnemann
05.05.25

Editor’s Pick: Five Highlights at the University:Future Festival 2025

Editor’s Pick: Five Highlights at the University:Future Festival 2025

Rasmus works at the Stifterverband and the European Digital Education Hub – and shares what he is particularly looking forward to at the University:Future Festival 2025. From AI in education to interoperability and setting the course for education policy: For him, there is plenty of future potential in the program – and the best conversations start during the coffee break.

Rasmus Benke-Aberg
16.04.25

Delegation trip to Estonia: Preliminary insights into modern educational approaches in cyber security and digital teaching

Delegation trip to Estonia: Preliminary insights into modern educational approaches in cyber security and digital teaching

How can universities prepare students for the challenges of cyber security in a practical way - and what can be learned from other countries? As part of a delegation trip to Estonia, Cyber Campus NRW is looking for international impulses for digital teaching, student participation and cooperative education models. The blog post highlights the expectations of the trip and its relevance for the German higher education landscape.

Martin Grothe
14.04.25

Empowering Learning Through Formative Peer- and Self-Assessment

Empowering Learning Through Formative Peer- and Self-Assessment

A common problem in traditional education is that students are passive recipients of feedback. Prof. Steve Joordens explains in this blog article how peer- and self-assessment can make students active participants in the evaluation process. This can turn assessments into an opportunity for reflection and skill development. It also helps students to develop critical thinking and self-awareness, ultimately leading to more meaningful learning.

Professor Steve Joordens
Steve Joordens
10.04.25

Micro-credentials in Ireland: Lessons learned and recommendations for German Higher Education Institutions

Micro-credentials in Ireland: Lessons learned and recommendations for German Higher Education Institutions

In Ireland, the project MicroCreds provides a framework for distributing and establishing micro-credentials. Earlier this year, a delegation sponsored by Hochschulforum Digitalisierung visited three universities in Dublin and one in Waterford to learn more about their system and how standards for using micro-credentials could be established in Germany. This blog post showcases the insights gained during the delegation trip to Ireland on the topic of micro-credentials in January 2025, funded by HFD.

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Malte Kneifel, Thu Van Le Thi, Matthias Spiegel, Leon Weber
03.04.25
Graphic that reads ‘Micro-credentials in Ireland: Lessons learned and recommendations for German Higher Education Institutions’. Above it is an illustration of two students at a desk.
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