MICROGUIDE
Developing Guidelines for the Implementation of Micro-credentials in Higher Education
Micro-credentials allow for a targeted acquisition of skills and competences while not replacing traditional qualifications. Continuous learning recognised through micro-credentials can fill existing and emerging skills gaps, facilitating inclusion in lifelong learning by reaching new learners, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Micro-credentials refer to short, focused learning programs that provide specific skills or knowledge in a particular subject area. They are often competency-based and offer a tangible credential upon completion. The European micro-credential landscape is diverse and includes various providers such as universities, vocational education and training institutions, professional organizations, and online learning platforms. They are seen as a way to address the skills gap and enhance employability, as well as a flexible and efficient way of upskilling and reskilling individuals. For the recognition and quality assurance of micro-credentials there is an ongoing effort to develop frameworks across Europe.
Microguide project wants to contribute to the following activities and will perform analysis of
1) legal framework in the Project partner’s states,
2) Implementation practices,
3) certification and credit evaluation practices,
4) quality assurance practices with the emphasize on the accreditation and external audit issues,
5) National Qualification Framework linking practices and prepare guidelines for the implementation of micro-credentials in higher education, together with examples of Micro-credentials.
Kick off in Belgrade
What is the role of micro-credentials in higher education today and in the near future? What are the features and obstacles of their implementation? And how should the guide, which is the final outcome of the project, help interested parties to integrate micro-credentials in their higher education system?
On July 11, 2022, the transnational consortium of the MICROGUIDE project — University of Belgrade (Serbia), Qualifications agency (Serbia), Fh Joanneum Gesellschaft mbh (Austria), Universidad De Lleida (Spain) and ACEEU (Germany) — met in Belgrade, Serbia in order to discuss these and many other questions. As a result of two productive days, project partners agreed on further steps, such as, the development of the comprehensive report on legal frameworks, features and best practices of micro-credentials in each partner country that will help to come up with the common patterns and obstacles.
Discussion on Legal Frameworks
What are the qualities and shortcomings of the legal framework in the context of micro-credentials implementation in Spain, Austria, Serbia, or Germany? How a proposal for the best legislative model may look like?
University of Belgrade (Serbia), Qualifications agency (Serbia), FH JOANNEUM (Austria), Universidad De Lleida (Spain) and ACEEU (Germany) took part in the second learning training teaching activity (LTT) in Lleida, Spain in order to address these and many more questions.
The goal of this meeting is to identify the qualities and weaknesses of the legal framework in partner countries regarding the implementation of micro-credentials in higher education, and in that sense to define a measure for its improvement. The findings will be used as part of the Logical Framework matrix of the Project to draw the conclusions necessary to produce Guidelines.
First Learning Training Teaching Activity
The beginning of November 2023 was marked by the first learning training teaching (LTT) activity of the Microguide project that gathered the consortium in Graz, Austria. Partners presented key insights of their analysis reports focused on the qualities and shortcomings of higher education system as well as examples of good practices of micro-credential implementation in Spain, Austria, Serbia, and Germany.
Active discussions and exchange of knowledge and experience revealed several challenges in terms of micro-credential accreditation, recognition, and standardisation. It was agreed that a deeper analysis of current legislative frameworks in partner countries is required to understand the entire diversity of regulating principles of micro-credentials as an element of Teriterium education or Continuing education.
Status Quo of Microcredentials
ACEEU hosted the 3rd learning/teaching/training activity in Münster. The meeting was attended by 8 participants (2 from Qualifications Agency, 1 from University of Belgrade, 1 from University of Lleida, 3 from ACEEU and 1 from University of Applied Sciences Joanneum).
The meeting kicked off with the opening speech from ACEEU Chair Thorsten Kliewe and Microguide coordinator Sinisa Djurasevic. Following the opening words, the partners looked into the status quo of the project ( reporting dates have been set for timesheet delivery and other reporting documents).
Following the presentation of German state of certification and credit evaluation practice, the partners had a chance to listen to a German guest speaker Maximilian Köster from University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld. Maximilian got a chance to explain how micro-credentials are administered at his university. Interestingly, micro-credentials are managed within Internationalisation Office as they are closely connected to student exchange and mobility (the so called internationalisation at home). Micro-credentials are a way to simplify and foster more inclusive system for students at risk and students who are for one reason or another unable to carry out the physical international mobility. All partners had a chance to ask questions and discuss with Maximilian about opportunities and challenges in microcredentials.
Day 2 kicked off with the presentation of Serbian accreditation process (delivered by University of Belgrade and Qualification Agency). Following the presentation the discussion followed on the best approach for the micro-credentials in Serbia.
In line with Microcredential goal, Thorsten Kliewe held a presentation on ways we can create synergies and bring knowledge from Microguide to sustain the results of a project INDEED (a teaching course on entrepreneurship skills for teachers). Following the presentation, the partners engaged in a lively discussion on how to create parallels between Microguide and INDEED project.
Day 3 kicked off with summarising the conclusions of the SWOT analysis. It then proceeded with an interactive exercise where partners were asked to create their ideal microcredential on institutional, national and international levels. All insights were captured on canvases that ACEEU prepared. The conclusion of the insights wrapped up the LTTA in Münster.