Professional paper
Online doctoral study, opportunities for academic transformation in the Republic of Croatia
Rudi Štekl
; Veleučilište s pravom javnosti BALTAZAR ZAPREŠIĆ
Abstract
Within the academic community in the Republic of Croatia, there is a legal division according to the level of the Croatian
Qualifications Framework, which separates the university and professional communities. The higher education
community is binarily divided into scientific and professional. In recent years, due to technological advancement, a third
option has emerged "Artificial Intelligence (AI)" which introduces a new paradigm of separating the real and artificial
worlds. AI is present in all spheres of life, including higher education. Higher education, as the highest level of the
educational system, has been undergoing radical transformation in recent years thanks to new technologies and new
education models. The academic community must carry out necessary transformations towards more modern and
meaningful solutions. Introducing an innovative technological model at the postgraduate level is a logical step, although
online studying or distance learning is not a new education model. With the development of technologies, online education is increasingly being adopted by higher education institutions in Croatia. The COVID-19 pandemic period has
removed the stigma associated with online learning, changing the public perception that online studying is merely an
"online course." This innovative technological model offers adaptability and individualization to each participant and
allows mobility through the use of new technologies. The main goal of the research is to determine whether there is a
need for an online doctoral study program in the Republic of Croatia. A survey was conducted with a sample of 50
students from one higher education institution. In conclusion, the market and students determine the perspective of
such innovative education models, from which so-called digital generation students emerge.
Keywords
academic transformation; online doctoral studies higher education
Hrčak ID:
318643
URI
Publication date:
28.6.2024.
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