Boosting Engagement in Higher Education

What is the potential of peer assessment in boosting engagement and student success in higher education?

On 14 October 2025, the PeerCollab Project, together with partners Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV), University Consortium for Industrial and Managerial Economics (CUEIM), Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), The Square Dot Team (TSDT), and University of Lodz (UoL), hosted a webinar for #ErasmusDays to explore this question. The online session connected 25 participants representing five countries in Europe, providing an opportunity to share experiences, insights, and perspectives on engagement in higher education.

The webinar gave PeerCollab the chance to share its mission, vision, and approach with the wider community. Guided by the slogan “Shaping future-ready classrooms and creating lasting, positive change in education,” the project aims to foster collaboration and integrate Peer Assessment (PA) into teaching practices. The session also highlighted ways for projects to collaborate, including exchanging ideas on digital learning, inclusive teaching strategies, teacher professional development programmes, and working with edtech partners to develop tools that support peer assessment.

Building on nearly a year of work since the project kicked off in November 2024, PeerCollab shared insights gathered through focus groups and interviews with students, lecturers, and experts. This groundwork has helped shape the project’s implementation.

The session also highlighted five initiatives making a tangible impact across Europe. These projects were invited to share their approaches and demonstrate how they boost engagement in different ways, all reflecting the shared vision of creating meaningful impact through collaboration and active participation. AI Leaders prepares future business leaders with ethical and practical AI skills. ESG Impact Index – SHIFT equips students and staff to advance the SDGs within higher education. B Corp School empowers students to become local changemakers through regenerative activism and entrepreneurship. SAVET strengthens VET teachers’ self-assessment skills and promotes self-regulated learning. ESIC drives social innovation by upskilling workforce and entrepreneurs to tackle green and digital transitions. Together, these initiatives illustrate how engagement-focused approaches can transform learning and create lasting impact.

By connecting peers, sparking ideas, and showcasing collaboration opportunities, the webinar highlighted how engagement-focused initiatives can transform learning, support student success, and create lasting impact across higher education.

Missed the webinar? Catch all the insights by watching the recording on the PeerCollab YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Ye2Vk7l_4lg?si=PB4wjbO2csp33HuM