The COWEB Project, after 3 years of activities, held its Final International Conference and Coordination Meeting at International Burch University, Sarajevo, on October 30–31, 2025. The event brought together project consortium partners, researchers, educators, and policymakers from across the Western Balkans and the EU to celebrate achievements, share research insights, and map the future of Virtual Collaborative Learning (VCL) in higher education.

Across two dynamic days, participants engaged in thematic sessions addressing Pedagogical Innovation and Future-Ready Virtual Collaborative Learning: Technology, Competencies, and Sustainability. Presentations explored innovative teaching methods, institutional strategies, and digital solutions that enhance collaboration, intercultural exchange, and digital literacy among students and academic staff. 

The open-access book, “Higher Education Contemporary Learning Landscape: Virtual Collaborative Learning”, co-edited in the context of the project featuring contributions from all partner institutions, was introduced. 

Access, Read, and Download https://toknowpress.net/ISBN/978-83-65020-54-3.pdf

Dr. Esmir Demaj, COWEB Project Manager, presented key project milestones, reflected on the project’s achievements for the last 3 years, outlined strategies for sustaining its outcomes beyond its official completion, as well as underscored EPOKA’s commitment to advancing education quality through embracing innovative digital pedagogies. EPOKA University was also represented by Dr. Armando Demaj, Head of the Research and Projects Office (RPO), Dr. Nertil Mera, Financial Officer of the project, PhDc. Anisa Isufi who also presented the co-authored paper titled “Assessing Student Performance in VCL Settings: Methods, Challenges, and Good Practices”, and Teaching Assistants Ms. Angela Bajrami and Ms. Rilinda Korbi, who served as e-tutors during the Regional and International VCL Modules.

As the COWEB Project approaches its conclusion, it accumulates a legacy of digital innovation and transformation in education, regional collaboration, and empowering universities to lead the shift toward inclusive, future-oriented learning environments.