Higher Learning Exchange

In this episode, we explore the story of DOHE — a global edtech championing group, which is on a mission to support 5,000 startups around the world. Joined by core team members Yuliana, Lucy, and Omar, we explore how DOHE is building a global community that supports education startups and drives meaningful social impact. 🎧 In this conversation, we discuss DOHE’s three key pillars: ·              ...

Billions have been invested in EdTech across Europe… so why are so many innovations ending up in what insiders call “graveyards of innovation”? 🎙️ In this latest episode of  Higher Learning Exchange , recorded at the EIT EdTech Conference 2025 in Brussels, we unpack what’s really going wrong—and what needs to change. Here’s what I learnt about talking to six speakers 👇 Beth Havinga , Managing Dir...

What if education could truly help every person lead a fulfilling, meaningful life? In this thought-provoking episode, host  Carmen Tomas  sits down with educational innovator  Peter , founder of  Educraftor , to explore how active learning and systemic change can reshape our schools, universities — and our societies. Together, we unpack how learning isn’t about transferring knowledge but about ac...

After 30 years of AI evolution, the algorithms have changed, the machines have gotten faster — but have we lost sight of what really matters in education? In this episode, I sit down with AI and education expert Rose Luckin to uncover a powerful truth: while the tech has transformed, the fundamentals of how we learn remain unchanged. Join us as we go back to the basics — and explore why any truly...

🎙️  Writing in Times of GenAI: Past, Present & Future — with Professor Mike Sharples How has AI shaped creative writing over the past four decades — and where is it headed next? In this episode, Professor Mike Sharples takes us on a journey from his groundbreaking AI research in the 1980s to today’s world of Generative AI. We explore what’s changed, what timeless lessons still apply, and how e...

What happens when students take education into their own hands? At the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Pau Martinez and Claudia Herrero have set out to answer that question with  SparkEd , a remarkable initiative driven by the power of student leadership and entrepreneurship. Frustrated by the gap between theory and practice, Pau and Claudia created SparkEd—a vibrant community where students a...

In a previous episode, we explored Minerva University’s groundbreaking educational model. Today, we dive deeper with fresh insight from those who know it best—its students and alumni. Martina Dianda, a current first-year student, shares what it’s really like to study at a university without a traditional campus or exams, where active learning takes center stage. She reveals how Minerva’s unique ap...

Dive into the world of educational technology and innovation with Carmen Tomás as she goes into the origins of SEK Lab and explores the latest trends in Spanish EdTech with industry expert Félix López (SEK Lab Edtech Accelerator Director) 🎓💡. Félix has been at the helm of the SEK Lab, part of the SEK Education Group, for nearly a decade. Under his leadership, SEK Lab has become a pioneering mode...

🎙️  Unlocking Innovation: The CDTM Story  🚀 Join Carmen Tomas and Michael Fröhlich as they dive into the fascinating origins of the  Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM)  🌐! From Munich to Valencia, CDTM is revolutionizing entrepreneurship education for undergrads 📚. 🔍 Michael reveals the secret sauce behind CDTM's success:  rigorous selection ,  multidisciplinary teams ,  real-...

Join  Carmen Tomás  as she sits down with  Inés Martínez , co-founder & CEO of  FarmaLeaders Talento , to uncover an inspiring journey of impact and innovation! This remarkable success story illustrates how innovative collaboration with communities and employers is creating high value learning and talent solutions. What started as a response to gaps in university education has grown into a  th...

In this special and inspiring episode, Bisila Bokoko—public speaker, book author, and business consultant—joins Carmen Tomas to delve into the true meaning of success and the essential skills required for graduates entering the workforce in the 21st century, especially in these rapidly changing times. Tune in to gain valuable insights on how educational organisations can support learners' success...

Curious about the future of higher education? 📚 Join Carmen and visionary founder  Ben Nelson  as they dive into the bold, game-changing philosophy behind  Minerva University ! 🔹  Discover the Minerva method  – a radically innovative approach where students master the art of learning through  active, applied learning both in the classroom and in the real world. 🔹 Say goodbye to fragmented, silo...

In this episode, we dive into the highlights of the first-ever EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology) EdTech Conference, where over 100 key players in the education and tech sectors gathered to shape the future of EdTech in Europe.    Join Carmen Tomas and Martin Vendel to learn about the top four priorities that emerged from the conference—from incentivizing innovation to driving c...

Join Helena Ribeiro, Joana Marto and Magda Fonte for an exciting episode as Helena and Joana share their inspiring journey in designing a blended learning postgraduate course in Advanced Cosmetology. The main objective of this course is to train specialists in the field of cosmetic products: from regulation, formulation, stability, manufacturing and testing. Discover new ways of using online asses...

Join Willem Schoors and Carmen Tomas for an engaging episode as Willem shares his inspiring journey in founding a school rooted in student autonomy and evidence-based principles. He delves into his vision and hands-on experience driving innovation in education, emphasizing the critical role of visionary educational leaders that can articulate a vision for learners. Discover new ways of fostering c...

Join Teresa Rose in this whistle stop tour of all things about skills, AI and learning in organisations. We covered the latest on key skills in demand in AI times. Be prepared to learn about skills-based organisations and also how AI is revolutionising the definition, understanding and skill gap identification. We go on to discuss learning and feedback in organisations. And lastly, what can univer...

This episode highlights the journey and insights of Neuza Pedro, professor and coordinator of the Master in Education and Digital Technologies at the Instituto de Educação of Universidade de Lisboa. This conversation covers everything from designing a fully online programme to the instructional design strategies that keep students engaged and motivated. Neuza Pedro shares her knowledge on the inte...

Douglas Barr shares his experience of programme design. In designing the BSc(hons) Applied Software Development degree for UHI, Douglas explains how the programme is highly relevant to industry and employment with a framework constructed around team and project work. This case exemplifies advanced features of student-centred learning. All student work takes place in teams, and students are respons...

In this podcast episode, Magda Fonte talks to Nikoletta Agonács about the fascinating world of Instructional Design. In this dialogue, Nikoletta unveils the concept of Instructional Design, exploring its responsibilities, functions and the evolution of the term over the years. She highlights the importance of a pedagogical foundation, critical and analytical skills, and the need for effective comm...

Yaz El-Hakim talks about co-founding Verifyed.io. The starting point was creating a tool to prevent educational fraud using blockchain-backed digital certificates. Driven by a vision to enable lifelong learning, Verifyed enables and empowers students to reflect on their learning throughout their studies to improve employability and lifelong learning. Yaz discusses the importance of learners, emplo...

Ronan Gruenbaum (Global Director of Undergraduate Learning and Development) shares his experience of developing and building the Bachelor of Business Administration program to ensure a consistently high quality and holistic learning experience for all students that best prepares them for the world of work or further study. Winner of the MERIT Summit & Awards (Innovation in Higher Education), t...

In this episode of the Higher Learning Exchange podcast, Magda Fonte invited the manager of the NAU platform - Pedro Cabral - to tell us about this service and what it has to offer to Higher Education in Portugal. The NAU platform is a service developed and managed by the FCCN unit of the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), which allows the creation MOOC courses (Massive Open Online Course...