Digital Education for Impact Alliance

Established in October 2025, DEFIA expands GeSI’s work on digital education as a critical enabler of sustainable development. As technology, labour markets, and societal expectations evolve rapidly, education systems face growing pressure to adapt in terms of skills, curricula, delivery models, and values.

DEFIA responds to this challenge by offering GeSI members a structured space to better understand these shifts, contribute expertise, and help shape future-ready education pathways that support climate action, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.

The alliance was established under the leadership of Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd as Director, and co-founded by the Universidade de Coimbra and Huanghe Science and Technology University (HHSTU), both GeSI member institutions in the education sector.

A Global Expert Alliance

DEFIA convenes leading education experts from universities and institutions connected to GeSI’s membership and the Digital with Purpose (DWP) Summits. Participants engage in their personal capacity, ensuring independent perspectives and open exchange of ideas.

This expert-driven model enables GeSI members to directly access global educational insight while contributing practical experience from industry, technology, and policy contexts.

Strategic Global Linkages

To extend reach and relevance, DEFIA establishes linkages with influential global initiatives and networks active in education and sustainable development, including UNESCO, the OECD, the Learning Planet Institute, and SDSN.

These connections enhance visibility, foster collaboration, and allow GeSI members to engage with emerging global thinking and policy discussions in digital education and skills development.

The Education Transformation Primer

A central DEFIA output is an accessible Education Transformation Primer, designed to support strategic reflection and dialogue. The primer outlines:

Why fundamental changes in education systems are urgently needed

Key shifts required in what we teach, how we teach, and how learning is valued

A high-level framework and early pathways toward implementation

The primer serves as a reference point for members navigating long-term skills, talent, and lifelong learning strategies.

Leadership Subprogrammes: Member-Led Action

DEFIA enables alliance members to propose and lead dedicated subprogrammes under the GeSI–DEFIA umbrella. These may include initiatives such as:

Net-zero university campus coalitions

Curriculum innovation or alternative learning models

Best-practice exchange platforms

Micro-credentialing pilots

Multidisciplinary teams addressing specific education challenges

Approved subprogrammes are funded and delivered by the proposing institution, operate with GeSI oversight, and become integral components of the DEFIA programme, creating a clear pathway for members to demonstrate leadership and shape global education agendas.

For any enquiries about this initiative please contacts us at defia@gesi.org.