Dusan Petkovic Chairs Session at IAFOR Barcelona Conference on Education

Dr. Dusan Petkovic,  faculty member, as well as marketing coordinator at Webster Geneva Campus, actively participated in the IAFOR Barcelona Conference on Education (BCE) and Arts, Media, & Culture (BAMC), held in Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 13-16. Petkovic presented his latest research and chaired a session during the conference, which gathered over 440 participants from more than 60 countries. 

The annual IAFOR conference is a prominent international platform fostering interdisciplinary discussions, intercultural awareness and global exchange. Held at the Hotel Barcelona Condal Mar, the event explored pressing educational and cultural issues against the backdrop of Barcelona’s rich history and dynamic cultural landscape. 

Petkovic delivered his presentation titled "Visual Media Production as a Discipline-Agnostic Framework for Interdisciplinary Curricula" as part of the Applied Technology in Education session on Nov. 14. His presentation drew from his experience in course and curriculum design at Sunway University Kuala Lumpur and Webster Geneva Campus. 

The presentation addressed the growing importance of interdisciplinary curricula in modern education and showcased how visual media production can serve as a foundation for courses that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. By leveraging the discipline-agnostic values required for visual media production — such as project management, teamwork, creativity, intercultural competencies and multiple media literacies — Petkovic demonstrated how this approach fosters critical thinking and collaboration among students. 

In his talk, Petkovic also explored the challenges of implementing interdisciplinary curricula, including administrative hurdles and institutional resistance, while reflecting on the transformative impact such education has on both students and instructors. 
In addition to his presentation, Petkovic chaired the Applied Technology in Education session, facilitating discussions on innovative uses of technology and media in educational contexts. 

The research presented was co-authored with Professor Matthew Sansom from BNU-HKBU United International College, China, further emphasizing the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the work. For more information about the IAFOR Barcelona Conference, visit IAFOR’s website.