Annual Training on Regulating Digital Infrastructures and Platforms

• Explore the latest trends in the regulation of digital infrastructure and platforms and integrate them into your work.
• Evaluate the various forces at play through a multidisciplinary approach.
• Draw on the expertise of distinguished speakers, including policymakers, former and current regulators, renowned academics, and industry specialists.
• Broaden your professional network.
• Enhance your skills by exchanging knowledge with professionals from various sectors and industries worldwide.

Our Annual Training caters in particular for the needs of:

• Officials from National Regulatory Authorities, National Competition Authorities and other public bodies.
• Professionals from the private sector.
• Policymakers and decision-makers.
• Academics.
• Lawyers and economists who are interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of specific topics over a short period of time.

Participants can take part in one or two blocks of the Annual Training or enroll in both.

Each block consists of a 6-week-online course. The e-learning activities are carried out via a dedicated online platform (i.e. Brightspace).

Each module features:

Weekly virtual class: every Wednesday, participants gather for a virtual class delivered by a different instructor, a well-known expert on the topic of the week. The virtual class takes place via Zoom Meeting, which allows the participants to actively engage in the class, by asking questions directly via their microphone/camera, as well as via the chatbox, and by replying to poll questions launched by the instructor. The virtual class lasts 90 minutes and it usually takes place between 1.00 and 2.30 PM Central European Time (CET) time zone.

Participants who cannot attend the virtual class due to a different time zone or due to work commitments, can watch the video recordings on the online platform after the virtual class. The video recordings of the virtual class are available on the course online platform after the end of each class.

Participation in the virtual class is highly recommended, but it is not compulsory to receive either the Certificate of Attendance or the Certificate of Distinction at the end of the course. It is compulsory, however, to receive the Certificate of Excellence.

Group exercise: following the virtual class, participants can join an online group exercise based on a hypothetical mock case related to the topic of the virtual class. Via the group exercise, participants can apply to a practical case the theoretical knowledge gained during the virtual class. In addition, by cooperating in solving the mock case, participants can engage in networking with other group members. The group exercise usually lasts between 90 and 120 minutes, and it usually takes place on Wednesday between 3.00 and 4.30/5.00 PM Central European Time. The group exercise is supervised by the weekly instructor and by the course facilitator. Participants, who cannot attend the group exercise due to the different time zone or due to work commitments, can watch the video recordings on the online platform after the end of the group exercise. The video recordings of the group exercise are available on the course online platform after the end of each class. Participation in the virtual class is highly recommended, but it is not compulsory to receive either the Certificate of Attendance or the Certificate of Distinction at the end of the course. It is compulsory, however, to receive the Certificate of Excellence.

Weekly quiz: A self-assessment quiz allows participants to verify their level of knowledge and familiarity with the issues covered during the weekly virtual class.

Reading materials: at the beginning of each week, participants receive carefully selected and up-to-date preparatory readings. The self-study materials allow participants to better understand the content of each module and thus to participate more actively during the weekly virtual class.

Forum of discussions: during the entire training program, participants have an opportunity to discuss issues of interest among themselves, share their knowledge and country case studies, express their opinions and interact with their colleagues as well as submit questions related to topics covered during the weekly modules.

Multimedia resources: participants have access to video recordings and presentations of the virtual classes, as well as to other useful resources, such as websites and preparatory videos recorded for the training.

Group assignment: at the end of each course, participants interested in obtaining the Certificate of Excellence will be asked to submit a final group assignment. The assignment could be either a short essay (max 2.000 words) or a short video presentation on a specific topic relevant for one of the weekly topics of the course. Each group can  include approximately 3-4 participants. The groups will be formed by the Training Officer at the beginning of each block, based on the selected topic. Group members will be responsible for submitting via the course online platform, by the deadline. Further information about the group assignment will be provided during the introductory class at the beginning of the course.

Depending on the level of engagement during the course, participants are entitled to receive 3 types of certificates:

• Certificate of Attendance: participants should complete at least 80% of the weekly quizzes. Expected engagement required to obtain this Certificate: 4-6 hours of learning per week of course.
• Certificate of Distinction: participants should complete every weekly quiz and actively engage in the weekly Forum of Discussion, by posting a message on the online forum. The post should have a length of at least 300 words and add a meaningful contribution to the discussion. Expected engagement required to obtain this Certificate: 6-8 hours of learning per week, including attending 4/6 classes.
• Certificate of Excellence: same requirements to obtain the Certificate of Distinction + attendance of all Virtual Classes + submission of the Group Assignment by the end of the Course. Expected engagement required to obtain this Certificate: 8-12 hours of learning per week of course, including attending all the Virtual Classes.

Attendance in the weekly Virtual Class and the Group Exercise is highly recommended, but it is not compulsory to receive either the Certificate of Attendance or the Certificate of Distinction at the end of the Course. It is compulsory, however, to receive the Certificate of Excellence. Participants who cannot attend the virtual class due to the different time zone or due to work commitments can watch the video recordings on the online platform after the virtual class.

The participants will receive the Certificate after the end of the course and upon verification of the fulfillment of the requirements mentioned above, as well as only once the payment of the tuition fee has been duly completed. The Certificate will be available in PDF format.

The Certificate includes the name of the participant, the date and title of the course, as well as one of the three levels of engagement mentioned above. The Certificate will refer to the title/dates of a single block attended by the Participant. Participants who receive both blocks will be entitled to receive a separate Certificate, referring to their participation in the 2024 CDS Annual Training on Regulating Digital infrastructures and Platforms.

Finally, lawyers who need the actual count of learning hours on the Certificate for the purpose of training credits can contact the training officer at anna.ferrari@eui.eu .

Fee for the Annual Training on Regulating Digital Infrastructures and Platforms (2 courses; 12 weeks of training):

Full fee: 2.500€

Reduced fee: 2.000€ (full time academics, officials from NCAs, NRAs & public bodies, CDS Market Donors).

Single block fee (6 weeks course):

Full fee: 1.500€

Reduced fee: 1.200€ (full time academics, officials from NCAs, NRAs & public bodies, CDS Market Donors).

Student fee: 1000€ (selected post-graduate and doctoral students).

For group applications, and inquiries from EUI researchers, please contact anna.ferrari@eui.eu