The Erasmus+ TransLeader project team gathered in Sofia, Bulgaria, on November 16-17, 2024, for a pivotal transnational meeting (A3.1) hosted by the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT).  The Dean of the Faculty of Information Technologies of ULSIT Georgi Dimitrov organized and directed the meeting. Representatives from partner institutions across Poland, Ukraine, Portugal, and Bulgaria joined to advance Work Package 3 (WP3), focusing on developing an innovative curriculum in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) tailored to modern industry needs.

The meeting began with an inspiring talk by Piotr Szymura, Vice-President of Rekord SI, on the company’s mission and its strong partnerships with higher education institutions. He emphasized Rekord SI’s dedication to bridging the gap between academia and industry, providing real-world insights, and supporting the development of cutting-edge IT education frameworks.

The meeting continued with discussions on:

- Project State-of-the-Art: led by Vasyl Martsenyuk and Georgi Dimitrov.
- Quality Assurance Plan: A roadmap to ensure the project’s academic and operational excellence (Eugenia Kovatcheva).
- Evaluation Strategies: Internal and external mechanisms to assess progress and impact, led by Vasyl Martsenyuk and Renata Machlańska (the University of Bielsko-Biala).
- Learning Requirements: Specific competencies needed for AI, IoT, and leadership education, presented by UAlg, ULSIT, and Rekord SI.

One of the key sessions was led by the University of Algarve (UAlg) (Mauro Figueiredo and José Rodrigues), who presented their insights into the learning requirements for Artificial Intelligence. UAlg discussed the essential competencies needed for AI education, focusing on the blend of foundational knowledge, technical skills, and ethical considerations that are vital for students entering the field.

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (TSNUK) (Kateryna Merkulova and Anna Pylypenko) presented findings on gaps in IT teaching and learning approaches in Ukrainian universities. This work highlighted areas requiring reform and will contribute to the competence framework (A3.2) and the transferable IT training model (A3.4).

The collaborative efforts resulted in significant progress on WP3 deliverables, including the competence framework, learning scenarios model, and the first draft of a transferable IT training model. Participants also enjoyed opportunities for cultural exchange through a sightseeing tour of Sofia and a networking dinner.

The TransLeader team left the meeting with a clear roadmap and actionable tasks, reaffirming their commitment to delivering a cutting-edge curriculum that bridges academia and industry. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to shape the future of AI/IoT education!