The UP Open University (UPOU) officially launched its Roadmap to Microcredentials at the opening program of the first ever TriConference, held on August 22, 2023, in response to the evolving needs of learners in the 21st century. Dr. Melinda dP Bandalaria officiated the launch of the roadmap with the playing of the UPOU AVP on Microcredentials.
UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Primo G. Garcia
A microcredential is a proof that attests to a person’s knowledge and skills in a particular subject or area. A learner receives a microcredential after passing an assessment or successfully completing and passing the required assessment in a particular micro-course.
In the pre-conference seminar-workshop that took place on 21 August 2023, Dr Joane Serrano, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies, highlighted the need for universities to offer microcredentials to help professionals re-tool themselves for career advancements and mobility in this new economic order.
In the same conference, UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Primo G. Garcia delved into the challenges of offering microcredentials in the country, including the lack of a national policy framework for microcredentials. In response to these developments and challenges, UPOU launched the “Equipping Filipino Professionals through Lifelong Learning: Roadmap for UPOU Microcredentials.”
As stipulated in the roadmap, UPOU microcredential is expected to be relevant, focused, assessment-based, portable, flexible, and quality-assured. It can also be classified based on scope of learner’s participation, stackability and “creditability,” purpose related to lifelong learning, varied delivery format, and qualification and flexible pathway for crediting.
Dr. Bandalaria also facilitated an activity wherein participants were asked to envision a microcredential program for their respective institutions. As Chancellor Bandalaria said, microcredentials empower learners and professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing world and that universities can start such a program by building on their existing capabilities.
Pre-conference workshop participants listening to the talks on microcredentials.
Written by Nikhaela Valenciano ♦ Edited by Ms. Yasele Yambao and Dr. Primo G. Garcia ♦ Contributed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
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