SRCE Academy – support for the systematic development of teachers' digital competences

The development of digital competences has become essential for the academic and research community. Teaching in the digital era requires educators not only to possess digital skills but also to critically navigate a wide range of technologies, select appropriate tools, and effectively integrate them into teaching and learning. Within the broader context of digital transformation, higher education institutions increasingly embed the development of teachers’ digital competences into their institutional strategies. A systematic approach to this development is a key prerequisite for innovation in teaching and learning practice.

The University of Zagreb University Computing Centre, SRCE, has been delivering educational and training activities for the academic and research community in Croatia for over 50 years. In response to the growing need for a structured, targeted approach to competence development, SRCE established the SRCE Academy as a professional development platform for employees at higher education and research institutions. This paper presents the initial results of the SRCE Academy, with a particular focus on programmes designed for teachers as a form of continuous professional development. It analyses the outcomes of the pilot phase, including participant feedback and identified benefits. Following the pilot, the programme was further expanded to include courses addressing the use of artificial intelligence in higher education.

The SRCE Academy model supports the systematic and targeted development of digital competencies and demonstrates a scalable approach adaptable to other educational contexts. It illustrates how institutions can effectively strengthen employees' competencies in response to ongoing digital transformation.