This conference invites colleagues from universities across the region and beyond to engage in reflection and dialogue on how digital competences should be strategically integrated into curricula, teaching practices, and institutional development. Digital transformation is no longer a future aspiration. It is a current imperative! Of particular significance during this conference is the focus on underprivileged and marginalized groups in higher education. As digital transformation accelerates, it is essential to ensure that it does not deepen existing inequalities but rather serves as a tool for inclusion and empowerment.