Latin American Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are currently facing major challenges: (1) the number of students enrolled is growing exponentially, while the number of teachers is growing at a much slower rate; (2) teaching is no longer confined to the traditional classroom, and must live together with virtual programmes and blended models; (3) teachers need constant training to be up-to-date; and (4) there is a significant gap between the needs of the industry, and the training students receive in HEIs, which contrasts with rising unemployment rates in the Region. Therefore, it is time to rethink the way forward for HEIs in the Region, based on innovation in teaching-learning processes. The PROF-XXI project aims to build capacities for the development of Teaching and Learning Centres (TLCs) in the HEIs of the Region, taking into account the current educational context. To this end, (1) guidelines and models of TLCs will be developed around three axes: pedagogical, technological and strategic management; (2) 4 pilot TLCs will be installed in the 4 partner HEIs in Latin America, following these guidelines and models; (3) training will be provided to the professionals of the TLCs installed, being these TLCs the basis for the creation and development of Teaching Training Plans in the 4 Latin American HEIs.; (4) the Cooperation Network created in the project will serve to extend the creation of TLCs to other HEIs in the Region. In the short term, this project will improve the quality of education in Latin America, both in partner HEIs and in those which join the Network. This effect will be transferred to the whole of Latin American society through the quality training received by the professionals who graduate from these HEIs, and also through the possibility of replicating the capabilities created from the open materials generated in the project.

DIEGO project answered to the necessity to cover the growing request of energy in Latin America with clean and sustainable sources and to have new professionals able to effectively operate in the sector. All countries involved in DIEGO have a great potential in term of renewable energy generation. The National Governments are promoting national laws to support RES adoption, mainly of small systems, which can contribute to the reduction of poverty and security of supply, meeting the energy needs also in remote areas.The main objective of DIEGO project was to improve the capacities of n. 6 Universities in Latin America (n.2 in Guatemala, n.1 in Uruguay and n.3 in Argentina) on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability, training new experts prepared for the labor market. The European partners (Sapienza University of Rome, University of Cadiz and University of Cyprus) contributed, among other activities, in the development of the courses, in the training of local experts and in the management of the action.DIEGO, according to the specific needs of the Universities, focused on the development of six modules on renewable energy as Solar Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal, Wind Energy, Biomass and Geothermal, Energy Efficiency and Emerging Technologies. More than 100 students have been trained and 26 of them had the opportunity to do a 6 weeks Internship in Europe.The project met all the objectives and produced the following outputs and results: - n. 1 Report about Universities needs and 1 report on “Local needs and national status on renewable energies”.- n. 1 manual on “Methodology for the development of courses on RES” - n. 107 participants to the one-day seminar on Bologna process- 17 bilateral agreements signed by consortium members, - One-week course held at UNIROMA1 on Universities internationalization (13 staff members trained)- n. 6 syllabus and didactic materials developed specifically for each LA universities- n. 6 DIEGO courses accredited into the 6 LA universities- n.1 didactic laboratory set up / improved in each LA university including Video conference tools- n. 2 e-modules delivered on MOOC platform (finalized by 264 students)- n. 215 students selected and successfully approved at least one DIEGO course- n. 26 best students selected in the LA university participating in n. 6 weeks of intensive courses in Europe- n. 5 final conferences organized within the LA universities (n. 227 participants in total)- n. 8 international project meetings- Scientific and dissemination papers followed DIEGO implementation as well as planned joint courses and new collaboration among participants Universities.The Consortium is planning to submit new projects on forecasting calls and to improve the scientific collaboration (mobility of students and staff) also involving Universities in rural areas.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face nowadays new opportunities and challenges arising from the evolution of educational technologies and from the new professional profiles demanded by the labor market. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) have been an opportunity and a challenge at the same time, allowing new ways of lifelong learning, and the provision of quality and open education able to reach even the most disadvantaged groups. The technologies and experience gained through MOOCs are also being used to improve teaching on campus through SPOCs (Small Private Online Courses). However, the MOOC movement, which emerged in the US and was enhanced by Europe, has little impact in Latin America, as it can be seen by the fact that Latin American HEIs are barely represented in the major MOOC initiatives.The MOOC-Maker project proposes to build management capabilities of MOOCs (and SPOCs) in Latin American HEIs so that they can offer quality courses aimed at improving access to teaching and learning programs in Latin America, and developing in students the skills and knowledge required in the 21st century. To do so, the MOOC-Maker project will create an intercontinental network between Europe and Latin America, where the experience, best practices, and success cases from European partners will be the starting point. In the short term, this project will upgrade the educational offerings, teacher training and support services from HEIs in Guatemala, Chile and Colombia, improving their teaching on campus, encouraging lifelong learning of alumni, and contributing to equitable access to education. This effect will be transferred to the Latin American society as a whole, promoting the acquisition of updated knowledge and skills, and promoting the employability of young people.

In the EU-BEGP project nine universities in Latin America (Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru) will collaborate with two universities in EU (France, Spain) towards modernisation of courses and programs in the energy sector, with emphasis upon circular economy towards energy sustainability. The collaboration is inspired by two earlier successful Erasmus+ CBHE projects. It will re-use both the framework and learning material developed from these projects while developing and implementing specific new courses and programs adapted for the local conditions in the partner countries. More specifically it will significantly enhance capacity building on an educator-to-educator basis towards a significant modernisation of energy curriculum in the partner countries. The project will contribute on the paradigm shift towards global-but-local student-centred education in a digital and online learning environment.The EU-BGEP project will allow collaborative creation of learning material to create/update programs and courses, which includes a baseline of 3 Master programs, 1 “Diplomado” program, 3 expert courses, 15 courses, and 7 short courses, with more than 1000 expected students to be trained at the end of the project in all the partner countries. Furthermore, 10 remote labs will be implemented, enabling real experimental experience to students in remote areas, and 10 entrepreneurial challenges will be run in collaboration with local industries, thus contributing to the employability of young professionals. A specific Quality Improvement Process, with transnational and global peer review, will be implemented throughout all the learning resources, ranging from individual modules through courses and full programs.A significant strength of the EU-BEGP project is that it is part of an intended global collaboration of online digital learning resources, courses, and programs in the energy sector (the “EXPLORE Energy Digital Academy”). All material developed will be included in this framework and the EU-BEGP consortium will have full access to all the already existing, and to be developed, high-quality material. Such global collaboration takes this Erasmus+ CBHE project to a higher level by projects building upon each other, strongly increasing the impact far beyond what an isolated CBHE project would reach.

The changes in educational paradigms and development of ICT are promoting the modernization of universities and the establishment of open and flexible study programs, freeing academic boundaries.Quality, accessibility and innovation are concepts that are driving the changes of virtual higher education. ACAI-LA Universities Network undertake the challenge of modernizing and internationalizing higher education, and contributing to development and social cohesion in Latin America, with an academic offer in pursuit of excellence, equitable and innovative.This academic offer will be available in the ACAI-LA Virtual Campus with accessible:- Life long learning program, MOOC.- Master for training of trainers, MOOC, certified by the consortium universities.This university campus will integrate online services for: support to students, support to graduates and job placement, and guidance to teachers in methodologies and innovative educational techniques.The curricula will:- Be open and flexible.- Form its students with ICT skills required by the labour market.- Include educational materials and laboratories, accessible to social groups with learning difficulties because of economic, ethnicity, gender or disabilities reasons.- Be available in: English, Spanish, Mayan and / or African descent languages.A sustainable business model will be supported for capacity building in:- Young graduates.- Teachers, who create innovative educational, quality and accessible resources.This scientific and educational cooperation network shows the diversity in Latin America. The ACAI-LA Network consists of three European universities and eight Latin American, four of which are located in less developed countries of Central America and the others are from South America. This condition will improve the impact, dissemination and exploitation of project results, publications and open educational materials.