Awardees

As part of the PROFFORMANCE+ online final event, titled "Teacher Power! – Higher Education Policy in Action with PROFFORMANCE", the winners of the second International Higher Education Teacher Award and the National Bests were officially announced on June 4th.

This international award aims to identify, acknowledge, and celebrate outstanding teaching practices in higher education. Beyond recognition, it provides a platform for sharing innovative approaches and fosters collaboration among institutions across the European Higher Education Area.

In response to the award call, 161 high-quality applications were submitted from six PROFFORMANCE countries—Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Georgia, Hungary, and Serbia—across four horizontal priority areas: Digitalization, Internationalization, Inclusion and Diversity, and Sustainability. Submissions were reviewed by an international jury composed of independent experts in the field.

Seventeen projects were selected for recognition, including 15 absolute winners. Additionally, six projects received the National Best title, with four of them achieving both honors. These best practices were showcased during parallel sessions in the afternoon.

All 161 awarded and submitted good practices are available in the Teaching Excellence Database at https://award.profformance.eu, and participating team members have joined the growing PROFFORMANCE network.

Browse the database to get inspired and discover potential partners for your next collaborative project. We also warmly invite you to become part of the PROFFORMANCE community.

Awardees by Their Main Horizontal Priority Area

1st place - Davorin Peneva, Full Professor, Head of Department, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia 
IntElMSc PARFORCE | Experimental Testing Based on Impact and Resistance: Wind, Fire and Earthquake 

Project participants:
Lars Abrahamczyk
Rüdiger Höffer
Roberta Apostolska
Uwe Kähler
Nuno Lopes

Laudation
Integrating Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and a Learning Management System, this approach effectively enhances virtual high-risk labs by encouraging international collaboration and cultural exchange. Realistic scenarios deepen engineering understanding, while dual assessment and collaborative teaching improve student engagement and learning, making it a valuable advancement in engineering education.

2nd place & national best - Elske Ammenwerth, Full Professor, UMIT TIROL - Private University For Health Sciences and Health Technology, Austria 
ACT-COI – An Asynchronous Community of Inquiry | Building a Community of Inquiry in a fully asynchronous Master program by fostering student activity and interactivity

Laudation
By fostering collaboration and thoughtful guidance, this approach unites remote students in a vibrant learning community. Instructors inspire, while students sharpen critical thinking, digital literacy, and peer feedback skills. It stands as a powerful, adaptable model of student-centered education with enduring impact.

3rd place & national best - Ia Mosashvili, Associate Professor, LEPL - Kutaisi International University, Georgia 
DgWEI | Digital Way in Education and Internationalization​

Project participants:
Salome Pirosmanishvili
Vasili Nikolaev

Laudation
Digital Way in Education and Internationalization project uses classic films and digital tools to connect theory with real-world issues, fostering digital literacy and critical thinking through AI interaction. It’s adaptable across contexts and aligns with broader educational strategies, exemplifying creative, transferable innovation in higher education.

3rd place - Alan Mutka, College professor, Area Head of Web & Mobile computing program, RIT Croatia 
AssessME | AI-Powered Tool for Assessing Programming Assignments and Ensuring Academic Integrity

Project participant:
Martin Žagar

Laudation
AssessMe is an AI tool for evaluating unsupervised programming, offering feedback on originality, progress, and challenges while encouraging responsible AI use. It boosts student confidence and gives institutions clearer learning insights. Its adaptability and ongoing development make it a promising asset for programming education.

3rd place - Vatroslav Zuppa Bakša, Lecturer, Zagreb University of Applied Sciences, Croatia ​
DIGITS | Digital Interactive Gamified Teaching with Social Media and GeoGebra

Laudation
This project successfully applies the DIGITS methodology to foster an engaging, student-centred learning environment in electrical engineering. It blends traditional teaching with tools like GeoGebra, gamification, and online platforms to connect theory with hands-on practice. Students benefit from interactive simulations, real-time feedback, and accessible resources across multiple channels. Its creative use of digital tools makes complex concepts more tangible and learning more active.
 

1st place & national best - Dražen Čular, Full professor, Head od Sport Talent Lab, University of Split, Croatia 
SS&P22 | Students in Science and Practice for the 22nd Century

Project participants:
Ana Kezić
Marijana Čavala
Tea Gutović
Armin Paravić
Kristina Dole
Ivica Zelić

Laudation
The project effectively combines science and sport, fostering critical thinking and essential movement science skills. Its well-structured approach emphasizes skill building and embraces international collaboration as a core element. Cooperation among non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and both public and private sectors strengthens its innovative educational framework. Ongoing reflection and openness to improvement further enhance its impact on higher education development.

2nd place - Antonela Devčić, Senior Teaching Assistant, University of Zagreb, Croatia 
V-LEAD-X | Virtual Learning Engagement and Academic Development through Exchange and Collaboration

Project participants:
Violeta Vidaček-Hainš
Marina Klačmer Čalopa
Karolina Kokot

Laudation
This practice combines virtual international teamwork with experiential learning, enhancing intercultural and professional skills. Its inclusive approach removes travel barriers and supports global collaboration. Aligning with quality education goals, it offers a practical model for digital learning and prepares students for international careers.

3rd place - Barbara Hegyi, Senior lecturer, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education coordinator, 
Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary 
INNOSOCIAL | Innosocial aspects of entrepreneurship: an interdisciplinary approach and course design for raising eco-awareness and developing the social responsibility attitudes of the innovative future changemakers

Laudation
The Innosocial aspects of entrepreneurship course integrates entrepreneurship with social responsibility and eco-awareness through interactive, interdisciplinary methods. Its success at multiple universities and adoption by international partners show its practical impact and adaptability in promoting critical thinking and sustainable innovation in higher education.
 

1st place - Filip Jukić, Senior Assistant (Postdoctoral Researcher), University of Zagreb, Croatia 
FLEX-EMLAB | FLEXible Electric Machines LABoratory

Participants:
Stjepan Stipetić
Martina Kutija
Luka Pravica
Dražen Kubatović

Laudation
The Flexible Electric Machines Laboratory connects theory and practice through hands-on, safe, and sustainable learning in electromechanical energy. Its modular design develops real-world skills and critical thinking while aligning with national and European education goals, setting a high standard for modern, inclusive, and resource-efficient science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

2nd place & national best - Katalin Ásványi, Head of Department of Sustainability Management and Environmental Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary 
CERL for CSR | Empowering Future Leaders: Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability in Higher Education Through Community-Engaged Learning

Participants:
Réka Matolay
Márta Frigyik

Laudation
This innovative program connects students with community partners to tackle real-world challenges through practical projects. By integrating sustainability and social responsibility, it enriches higher education with meaningful collaboration and research. Students develop essential skills while delivering valuable benefits to communities and organizations. The initiative inspires lasting partnerships and fosters leadership rooted in experience and reflection.

3rd place - Eka Devidze,Head of BA Programs in Tourism, LTD -  International Black Sea University, Georgia 
Talking Places | Talking Places' Platform for Safeguarding and Sustainable Development of Intangible Cultural Heritage via Students' Participatory Activities

Laudation
The Talking Places Platform empowers students to preserve cultural heritage using digital tools and community collaboration. It fosters sustainability, critical thinking, and cultural awareness while supporting local artisans. This scalable initiative exemplifies transformative, socially responsible education aligned with global digital and sustainability goals.

4th place - Tanja Kimmel, Head of Textile Conservation Department, University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria 
Climate Action, Now! | Museen im (Klima-)wandel / Climate Action, Now! Museums in (Climate) Change

Participants:
SinaHerrmann
Gerlinde Riedl
Marion Pehab 
Stephan Kuss
Sophie Haslinger 
Florian Auer
Stephanie Bauer
Melanie Brandstetter
Nicole Dania Fölß
Lilli Kainberger
Lisa Pairits
Aliza Cathleen Peisker
Sara Poropat Vesić
Vivien Maria Ranger
Marika Rechtacek
Bastian Rieker
Meira Savic
Ina-Marie Schröder
Ronja Wolf
Julienne Lorz
Verena Kaspar-Eisert
Anne Zimmermann
Karen Henke
Katja Weber
Theresa Öllinger

Laudation
Climate Action, Now! engages students in practical sustainability projects within the cultural sector, collaborating with KunstHausWien. The course blends theory and hands-on experience, delivering scalable strategies to reduce museums’ carbon footprints and exemplifying effective interdisciplinary and interinstitutional climate education.
 

1st place - Martin Deinhofer, Senior Lecturer & Researcher, Project Lead, UAS Technikum Wien (Vienna), Austria 
ASSIST HEIDI | Designing and Implementing Assistive Tools for People with Disabilities
Co-Designing for the Good in Mixed International Teams: https://www.technikum-wien.at/en/course-assist-heidi/
Project Inclusion International, Project No. 33-02

Participants:
Sarah Langer
Alija Sabic
Florian Ellinger
Natascha Toman
Erich Schmid
Oliver Klein
Susanne Buchner-Sabathy

Laudation
This initiative exemplifies innovative, user-centered design by actively involving people with disabilities in co-creating assistive technologies. Its interdisciplinary, hands-on approach advances students’ digital skills while promoting inclusion and social responsibility. International collaboration fosters diversity and accessibility in higher education. It sets a high standard for practical, impactful innovation in assistive technology education.

2nd place - Anikó Sándor, Head of institute, Assistant professor, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary 
We Teach Together! | We Teach Together! Participatory Higher Education Method

Participants:
Csilla Cserti-Szauer
Emese Zagyi
Borbála Bányai
Veronika Kalász
Michael Ochieng' Otieno
Lizanka Oravecz
Vanda Katona
András Futár

Laudation
We Teach Together! promotes inclusive education by integrating disabled co-instructors in all teaching phases. Its clear, adaptable methodology combines digital and traditional tools, empowering participants and enriching learning. This approach offers a meaningful, replicable model for equity, accessibility, and collaboration in higher education.

3rd place - Oliver Ott, Research Assistant and Doctoral Researcher, University of Innsbruck, Austria ​
INNklusion | Assistive solutions for people with disabilities

Participants:
Samet Ersoysal
Lennart Ralfs
Katharina Schmermbeck
Robert Weidner

Laudation
INNklusion offers a transdisciplinary, project-based learning experience where students co-design assistive solutions with people with disabilities. Through participatory design, awareness training, and real-world collaboration, the initiative promotes inclusion, sustainability, and personal growth, while bridging academic knowledge with practical, community-driven impact.
 

 Best of Austria - Elske Ammenwerth, Full Professor, UMIT TIROL - Private University For Health Sciences and Health Technology
ACT-COI – An Asynchronous Community of Inquiry | Building a Community of Inquiry in a fully asynchronous Master program by fostering student activity and interactivity

 Best of Croatia - Dražen Čular, Full professor, Head od Sport Talent Lab, University of Split
SS&P22 | Students in Science and Practice for the 22nd Century

 Best of the Czech Republic - Helena Lohrova, Lecturer, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
TEFE A+ BIP | TEFE A+ BIP: International Teaching Practice Induction Course for Future Teachers of English

Participants:
Prošková Alena
Rostislav Smísšek

Laudation
This initiative excellently prepares future English teachers for diverse international settings with a comprehensive blend of training, hands-on experience, and cultural insight. It cultivates global educators and enriches the international teaching community.

 Best of Hungary - Katalin Ásványi, Head of Department of Sustainability Management and Environmental Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest
CERL for CSR | Empowering Future Leaders: Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability in Higher Education Through Community-Engaged Learning

 Best of Georgia - Ia Mosashvili, Associate Professor, LEPL - Kutaisi International University 
DgWEI | Digital Way in Education and Internationalization​

 Best of Serbia - Jasmina Ciric, Assistant Professor, University of Kragujevac 
SYA | Symbols in Art

Laudation
Symbols in Art blends theory and practice to explore cultural symbolism using traditional and digital tools. It fosters critical thinking, cross-cultural awareness, and artistic expression –offering a sustainable, adaptable model for interdisciplinary learning.

Institutional Label of Excellence