Task Forces

Task Force Joint Degrees

The EADTU Task Force on Joint Degrees aims to support member institutions in developing sustainable, high-quality joint degree programmes by sharing expertise, experiences and good practices. It will explore the institutional, academic, legal, technological and financial conditions needed for successful collaboration, including programme design, accreditation and recognition, student support, governance, quality assurance and recruitment. Based on a mapping of existing approaches and institutional strategies, the Task Force will work towards a practical reference model and practical tool for establishing and operating joint degrees.

First results expected in October 2026.

Contributing institutions: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC, Spain), UniDistance Suisse (Switzerland), FernUniversität in Hagen (FernUni, Germany), Hellenic Open University (HOU, Greece), Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED, Spain), Universidade Aberta (UAb, Portugal), Open Universiteit (OUNL, the Netherlands).

Task Force Personalisation

In an era where education is increasingly recognised as a personalised journey, the need for effective strategies to tailor learning experiences to individual needs and preferences has become paramount. The concept of personalisation in education aims to address diverse learner profiles, preferences, and paces, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of educational outcomes. Universities and educational institutions are called upon to develop and implement innovative approaches that align with the personalisation of education, ensuring that all students have access to tailored learning experiences that foster engagement and success. 

Our universities therefore represent a great variety of policies, approaches, expertise and experiences in this field that we would like to share within this dedicated Task Force. 

Final report published in October 2025.

Contributing institutions: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC, Spain), The Open University (OUUK, United Kingdom), Télé-université du Québec (TÉLUQ, Canada), Anadolu University (AU, Turkey), FernUniversität in Hagen (FernUni, Germany), University of Jyväskylä (JYU, Finland), Open University of Cyprus (OUC, Cyprus), Fédération Interuniversitaire de l'Enseignement à Distance (FIED, France), Czech Association of Distance Teaching Universities (CADUV, Czech Republic), Johannes Kepler Universität Linz (JKU, Austria), Universidade Aberta (UAb, Portugal), Open Universiteit (OUNL, The Netherlands), Hellenic Open University (HOU, Greece).
Report

Task Force Green Campus

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) throughout Europe have the shared responsibility to promote environmentally substainable practices. EADTU's task force on Green Campus addresses this need by focusing on approaches specifically tailored to distance and online HEIs, fostering collaboration among partners. Through in-depth research, expert input, and best-practice development, aiming to transform campus management, education, and community engagement, EADTU's report on Green Campus Initiatives presents environmentally responsible approaches across the sector of Online and Distance Higher Education.

The final report was published in October 2024.

Contributing institutions: University of Jyväskylä, Anadolu University, The Open University, Universidade Aberta, FernUniversität in Hagen, UniDistance Suisse, Université TÉLUQ, Fraunhofer-Institut für Umwelt-, Sicherheits- und Energietechnik (UMSICHT)
Report

Task Force Extending Student Numbers & Retention and Student Services

Declining enrollments, study progress issues, high dropout rates, and the need for agile student services continue to be key challenges in online and distance education. Factors like rising costs, competitive job markets, and the appeal of traditional education are impacting online learning. The task force aims to improve participation, study progress, and student services in online education through research, expert consultations, and developing strategies. The task force was divided into working groups focusing on "Extending Student Numbers" and "Retention and Student Services" to address these challenges effectively.

The final report was published in May 2024.

Contributing institutions: UNED, University of Jyväskylä, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, The Open University, FernUniversität in Hagen, Anadolu University
Report

Task Force Diversity & Inclusion

EADTU members have a dedicated task in organising education also for disadvantaged groups of students by offering them easy accessible learning paths made fit for a great diversity of students. Open and distance teaching universities are inclusive, innovative and responsive, promoting social justice and equality of opportunity and represent strategic positioning of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

The Open and distance teaching universities therefore represent a great variety of policies, approaches, expertise and experiences in this field that we are sharing within this dedicated Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion.

The final report was published in May 2022.

Contribution institutions: Anadolu University, UNED, DCU, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, UOC, FIED, Hellenic Open University, University of Ljubljana, FernUni Hagen, Universidade Aberta, Open University of Israel, OUNL, Jyväskylä University, Onderwijs Vlaanderen, JKU, CALED, OUUK
Website and report

Special Interest Group Online Assessment

Recently, EADTU launched a Special Interest Group on Online Assessment. This SIG will share expertise on institutional strategies and expertise and experiences on online assessment. We explore how universities currently address the challenges of online assessment and how they implement of various supportive measures. 

Part of this is making inventory of several operational examples fit for exchange. The group of experts consists of 17 EADTU member university representatives with a specific field of expertise or interest in the field of online assessment.

The final report was published in May 2022.

Contribution institutions: Artevelde University College, UNED, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, UOC, Hellenic Open University, University of Ljubljana, FernUni Hagen; UniDistance, Universidade Aberta, Open University of Israel, OUNL, Jyväskylä University, JYU, CALED, OUUK, Thomas More University College, CSVS / CADUV
Website and report

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
 


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