This project builds on the established Distance Learning Program and expands it to develop localized course materials. Local instructors at partner institutions will contextualize the course content by providing local examples or case studies while supported by CERGE-EI senior faculty mentors. The localized content will make the course material more relevant, attractive, and understandable for students, fostering their understanding of the course topics, its relevance and its applicability. We work primarily with regional universities serving students outside of the main cities and centers.
Local instructors at the partner institutions collaborate with the main instructors and CERGE-EI mentors to contextualize the course materials and lead the weekly local sessions, featuring tailored course content. Participants will reflect on feedback and finalize course materials for future use at a culminating in-person workshop in Prague in August/September 2025. The developed materials will be published on this website and made available for faculty and students interested in these topics.
The project is co-financed by the governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad+ Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
Broadening access to quality economics education by offering real-time specialized economics courses virtually to underserved HEIs in the region.
By offering the courses in English, it offers applied English language practice in an international learning environment.
Builds the capacity of the partner universities by training local instructors (LIs) to co-lead the courses and develop localized course materials.
CERGE-EI-based main instructors lead the courses from the CERGE-EI's Digital Media Center twice per week, and local instructors from partner universities lead the weekly local sessions. All Local Instructors receive training at the start of their engagement, which prepares them to conduct courses online, navigate online systems, engage students virtually, facilitate discussions in English, and develop country-specific course materials for their local sessions.
Before and during the course, main instructors will hold regular meetings with LIs to support them in the development of the localized materials and delivery of the local sessions.
At the end of the program, all instructors will participate in a workshop at CERGE-EI, where LIs will discuss their experiences, review feedback and finalize the localized course content for future use. LIs will also be invited to participate in further pedagogical training and to network with the peers to encourage future collaboration.
