Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and new technologies are fundamentally changing the way we live, work, and communicate. And so Palacký University Olomouc has now launched the new Digital Society, Social Innovation and Global Citizenship (DIGISOC) Master’s degree programme, jointly developed with the University of Innsbruck and University of Naples Federico II. It will provide students with key skills for the future via some of the best experts from the three universities in order to understand not only technology, but also its impact on society. Its accreditation was approved by the UP Internal Assessment Board at the end of April and applications are being accepted until the end of June.
The DIGISOC study programme responds to the growing need for professionals able to navigate the dynamically changing environment of the digital society. The study will be conducted entirely in English and in a hybrid format combining online learning with in-person classes in blocks. International mobility, internships, and summer schools are also part of the programme. Students will thus gain not only academic knowledge, but also valuable intercultural experience and the ability to work in international teams at universities, as well as in companies and other institutions.
At UP, the course will be held under the auspices of the Faculty of Law in cooperation with the Faculties of Science and Arts. Palacký University will be the guarantor of education in law (including international and digital law), social and economic geography, and media and communication, with the participation of the University of Naples Federico II. The latter will also provide education in sociology and social education. The University of Innsbruck will be responsible for digital humanities, IT, and digital platforms.
Emphasis will be placed on the development of critical thinking, interdisciplinary approaches, and the ability to use digital tools in the context of socially responsible innovation. Graduates may find employment in a variety of fields – from public administration and the non-profit sector to technology companies and international organisations.
“The study programme is one of the key outputs of the EURIDICE project. I am pleased that we have managed to achieve this milestone so that the first students can enrol this September. Another output of the project will be, for example, lifelong learning courses for academics and the public, which will be acknowledged with microcertificates,” says Markéta Šemberová, the Euridice project coordinator at UP.
The EURIDICE project, and thus the study programme, would not have been possible without the prior establishment of close cooperation in Aurora, the European university network. “We are thus fulfilling the European Commission’s intention for European universities to cooperate closely not only in science and research but also in education, for example in the form of joint study programmes. At the same time, we are applying for the prestigious European Degree Label certification, which ensures the recognition of diplomas in all EU countries and increases the competitiveness of graduates on the international labour market,” adds Michal Malacka, principal investigator of the EURIDICE project at UP.
Those interested in enrolling in the DIGISOC programme can look forward to classes led by experts from various European universities, access to current research, and the opportunity to become part of an active international community. Applications are open until the end of June, and online information sessions are also available. Further information is available here.