‍On 17 June, ECIU University presented its third paper on micro-credentials, outlining both actions taken by ECIU University and Europe, and advising on the future of micro-credentials. The European Commission, experts in the field and over 200 participants from all over the world discussed the political commitment and practical implementation of micro-credentials.

Over the past year there has been increased activity from a wider range of policy makers, institutions, and national regulatory bodies relating to micro-credentials, including the adopted Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability, ensuring high-level commitment of 27 EU Member States to the micro-credential movement. Given this policy maturity and call for greater development, 2022 may well be dubbed the Year of the Micro-credential, with media and policy interest reaching a heightened pitch. Download the full paper including all reflections, ECIU best practices and lessons learned, and our 10 recommendations, via the button below.

Download the micro-credentials paper here

At the event, Antoine Kasel, Head of Cabinet Commissioner Schmit, DG EMPL, presented the main conclusions of the Council Recommendation that was adopted by all EU Member States only the day before on 16 June. Mairéad Nic Giolla Mhichíl, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow National Institute of Digital Learning in Dublin City University presented the main conclusions of the paper, Henri Pirkkalainen ECIU University micro-credentials lead and Associate Professor Tampere University reflected on the ECIU University work on micro-credentials and Sheela Kiiskila, Doctoral Researcher Tampere University presented the concept of digital credentials and the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure. Yann-Maël Bideau, policy officer DG EAC, presented the education implications of the adopted recommendation.

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Three of the 10 main recommendations
of the ECIU third micro-credentials paper are:

1. There is a clear need for dedicated financial support to accelerate rollout of co-constructed micro-credentials and to specifically support and upscale projects at the European level to support co-construction. This includes wider infrastructure needed to facilitate micro-credential implementation at scale.
2. Following the outputs of the MICROBOL project, a dedicated and focused effort is required to promote harmonised national legislation and or guidelines in education and training, to remove system-level barriers for micro-credential implementation.
3. European University Alliances are key stakeholders in the design and implementation of the European approach to micro-credentials as cross-cutting networks of institutions committed to innovation. European Universities and Higher Education Institutions must be positioned as key drivers of change.

You can watch the recording of the event here:

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Links to ECIU University’s previous micro-credentials papers:

1.     April 2020, Towards a European Micro-Credentials Initiative

2.     January 2021, Paving the Road for the Micro-Credentials Movement

ECIU University warmly thanks all contributors to the event and paper, especially the main writers of the paper: Mairéad Nic Giolla Mhichíl, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow National Institute of Digital Learning in Dublin City University, Conchúr Mac Lochlainn, researcher at Dublin City University, Henri Pirkkalainen ECIU University micro-credentials lead and Associate Professor Tampere University, Sheela Kiiskila, Doctoral Researcher Tampere University and Miikka Palvalin, researcher at Tampere University.