The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), represented by Dean Dr. Joane V. Serrano joined the MicroCASA Project Consortium held from 28 to 30 October, 2024, at Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). As one of the Philippine representatives, FMDS actively engaged in discussions and workshops centered on advancing micro-credentialing frameworks across Southeast Asia.
Hosted by ADMU, the third roundtable discussion organized by MicroCASA Erasmus+ focused on the theme, “White Paper: Action Plan for Micro-credentials Adoption in Higher Education for Southeast Asian Countries.” The event gathered leading experts from institutions such as the University of Saarland (USAAR) and Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence-National Academic Recognition Information Centres (CIMEA-NARIC), alongside educators and policymakers. Together, they explored strategies for integrating micro-credentials into higher education to improve employability and foster lifelong learning in the region.
The discussions emphasized the importance of micro-credentials in meeting the evolving needs of both learners and the job market. The white paper served as a guide, outlining actionable steps to weave micro-credentials into academic programs, aligning them with industry demands to create a flexible, skills-oriented educational pathway. Speakers highlighted the role of micro-credentials in boosting Southeast Asia’s global competitiveness by providing accessible, relevant education for students and working professionals.
On the second day, participants attended a hands-on workshop on Inxignia, a digital open badge platform for micro-credentials, led by Dr. Achmad Husni Thamrin and Dr. Andrey Ferriyan of the School of Internet (SOI) Asia Project. Through practical activities, attendees created badges and certificates that could be verified via the Inxignia website, offering a streamlined approach to validating online learning within communities. FMDS delegates explored how Inxignia could enhance UPOU’s own micro-credentialing initiatives, contributing to a unified digital credentialing framework in the Philippines.
The event also featured Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, who traced the evolution of digital micro-credential formats, underscoring the need for a consistent definition. Meanwhile, joining virtually from Rome, Aniello Merone of Università Europea di Roma discussed the institutional impacts of micro-credentials and provided four pathways for integrating them into university governance structures.
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On the third day, fully supporting the MicroCASA Project, University of the Philippines (UP) President Angelo Jimenez joined the Project Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting. President Jimenez shared the University’s ongoing efforts to incorporate micro-credentials and expand its approach to diverse learning methods and pedagogies, underscoring UP’s commitment to educational innovation and adaptability.
The three-day consortium, supported by the European Union, marked a pivotal step in the MicroCASA Project’s mission to create a unified, accessible micro-credentialing system across Southeast Asia, which is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. FMDS’s delegation, including Dr. Serrano, Dr. Myra Oruga, Ms. Sydney Rovin Macahiya, and Ms. Dina Mae Rejano, reinforced UPOU’s dedication to innovative educational solutions that meet international standards and address the region’s educational and economic challenges.
Written by Sydney Rovin Macahiya ♦ Edited by Larry N. Cruz ♦ Photos grabbed from the UP Digital Transformation – UP Dx Facebook Page ♦ Crossposted from FMDS Website
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