ADVANCING DIGITAL COMPETENCIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A REGIONAL ANALYSIS FROM THE WESTERN BALKANS

This study aims to assess how the integration of digital competencies into higher education curricula, focusing on selected social sciences and humanities courses, have advanced digital transformation in higher education and infl uenced both teaching practices and student learning experiences. This study is developed as a regional initiative, within the framework of the Homo Digitalis (HD) project in four Western Balkan countries. The research employs a quantitative approach grounded in the European Commission’s DigCompEdu framework (The Joint Research Centre, n.d.). Data were collected through two structured surveys targeting academic staff (n=14) and students (n=46) in spring 2025. Each instrument captured six competence domains: professional engagement, digital resources, teaching and learning, assessment, empowering learners, and facilitating learners’ digital competence. Internal consistency Cronbach α ≥ 0.92. Findings indicate a signifi cant shift toward digitalization in teaching practices. Faculty members reported active integration of digital tools into course design and delivery, while students expressed overall satisfaction with the accessibility and organization of digital resources. The results demonstrate measurable alignment with European digital education standards. However, persistent challenges were identified, including limited time for implementation and disparities in students’ digital preparedness. The study provides evidence-based insights and policy recommendations that may inform regional strategies for digital curriculum reform. It contributes to a deeper understanding of digital education transformation in the Western Balkans, with implications for improving teaching quality, enhancing student employability, and fostering institutional innovation both regionally and in broader educational contexts.