LearnChain

The motivation for the project focused on enhancing the digital readiness of university students, particularly those from business and economic universities, stems from the critical need to equip these future professionals with essential digital skills. In today’s interconnected world, the ability to navigate digital environments effectively is not only a competitive advantage but a necessity.

The emphasis on cybersecurity and ethical internet use is particularly important, as these skills are crucial for protecting personal and organizational data, ensuring privacy, and maintaining ethical standards in the digital sphere.

Business and economic students, in particular, require robust digital skills to succeed in their careers. The use of the internet and digital tools is ubiquitous in business education, with studies showing that more than half of students believe that management studies would be severely impacted without access to these resources.

Moreover, the internet has become a fundamental tool for research, collaboration, and learning in business education. However, this increased reliance on digital technologies also exposes students to cybersecurity threats and ethical dilemmas, such as data breaches and online harassment.

The European University Association (EUA) emphasizes the importance of digital transformation in higher education, with initiatives like MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) being explored for their potential to enhance access to quality
education.

Events like Digital Universities Europe highlight the need for institutions to adapt to digital changes and collaborate to achieve impactful transformations (source: digital-universities-europe-2023-Spain).

Additionally, Europe faces a significant shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with over 300,000 positions unfilled (OECD Skills Studies, 2024).

Moreover, 82% of higher education institutions in Europe have dealt with cyber-attacks, highlighting the need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness and skills among students and staff (source: Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, UK
universities, etc.). Funding for such a project is justified for several reasons.

Firstly, enhancing digital readiness and cybersecurity skills among business students will better prepare them for the challenges of the modern business environment, where data security and ethical practices are paramount. Secondly, by focusing on ethical internet use, the project promotes responsible digital citizenship, which is essential for maintaining trust and integrity in digital interactions.

Finally, investing in digital literacy and cybersecurity education can have broader societal benefits, such as reducing the risk of cybercrime and fostering a culture of digital responsibility among future business leaders. By supporting such a project, we can contribute to the development of a more digitally savvy and responsible workforce, ultimately benefiting both the economy and society at large.