Pilot Implementation of Smart Solutions at Academia Maribor Campus

As part of the DG-VET-30 project, Academia – College of Short-Cycle Higher Education in Maribor successfully carried out the first pilot of smart solutions for the digitalization and energy optimization of the learning environment.

In the campus classrooms, the SwitchBot system was installed, enabling centralized management of key devices: projectors, TV screens, air conditioners, and lighting. With a single click, the system allows classroom conditions to be adjusted – from turning on the projector and setting the air conditioning to dimming or switching on the lights. In addition, window sensors were installed to monitor their status, thereby reducing energy loss during heating or cooling.

The integration of these smart solutions marks an important transition from traditional classrooms to smart learning environments, where physical devices are connected to digital infrastructure, enabling both energy savings and an improved user experience.

With this pilot, we achieved several important goals of the DG-VET-30 project:

• Green transition and sustainability – optimizing energy consumption, reducing the carbon footprint, and contributing to sustainable campus operations through better control of devices, lighting, and room conditions.

• Smart learning environment – creating modern classrooms where teaching conditions can be quickly adapted, thus improving the quality of lectures as well as interaction between students and lecturers.

• Digital transformation of VET institutions – introducing smart devices that connect physical and digital infrastructure lays the foundation for further development toward fully digitalized and interconnected campuses.

• User experience for students and lecturers – simple remote management of classrooms allows lecturers to focus more on the teaching process, while students enjoy a more comfortable and adaptable learning environment.

The pilot at Academia Maribor therefore represents an important step toward the development of digitally advanced, energy-efficient, and sustainable VET institutions, serving as an example for the wider European area and supporting the vision of the DG-VET-30 project.