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. With a low entry barrier, micro-credentials could be an initial step fo...

The aim of the Project was to develop Guidelines for the implementation of micro-credentials in higher education by analysing legal framework, implementation practice, certification and credit evaluation, quality assurance mechanism, and way of linking micro-credentials to National Qualification Frameworks in Project partners states. Based on the results of these analysis, a list of examples of the good practice in the Project partners states, and a proposal for a best model of legal framework, certification and credit evaluation, quality assurance, and linking to National Qualification Framework was made. All these elements, together with 3 micro-credentials examples developed as proof-of-concept were implemented in the Guidelines, as a theoretical basis for their practical application. In this way, Guidelines will serve as a theoretical basis necessary for the practical implementation of MCs in all Project partners states and beyond, giving both legislators and HEIs concrete solutions.

The following Project activities were implemented: – regular monitoring of planned activities and budgeted costs; – presenting all the Project activities, progress and results on the Project website; – analysis of the micro-credential implementation practices in the Project partners states, making a list of examples of the good practice; – analysis of the legal framework in the Project partners states, proposing the best model of the legal framework; – analysis of the micro-credential certification and credit evaluation practices in the Project partners states, proposing the best model of certification and credit evaluation; – analysis of the micro-credential quality assurance practices in the Project partners states, proposing the best model of accreditation; – analysis of the micro-credential to National Qualification Framework linking practices in the Project partners states, proposing the best model of linking; – development of 3 micro-credentials pilots as a proof-of-concept; – Implementation of all analysis results and proposals in the Guidelines for the implementation of micro-credentials in higher education. A Guidelines are presented on the Project websites and were presented on final Conference, with the emphasis on the the implementation of micro-credentials in Serbian higher education.