Arqus microcredential development F2F workshop

The Arqus University Alliance aims to transform European higher education, research and innovation through deep cooperation and progressive integration, in pursuit of an equitable and sustainable future. In order to reach this aim, Arqus seeks to enhance local academic offers at partner universities and ensure that students develop global and forward-looking generic competences through the incorporation of flexible and innovative learning opportunities such as microcredentials. Arqus joint microcredentials offer an innovative and agile approach to meet the diverse needs of Today’s learners.

Microcredentials consist of no less than 3 ECTS credits and certify the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences, for example, a short course or training. They offer a flexible, targeted way to help people develop the knowledge, skills and competences they need for their personal and professional development. More details about microcredentials are provided in their descriptor.

Objectives

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This Arqus microcredential development F2F workshop is an invitation and a unique opportunity for those who are passionate about advancing knowledge, exchanging ideas and are willing to contribute to the microcredentials development in order to push academic landscape boundaries and whole Arqus academic offer forward.

Participants will be provided with expertise and support in designing and developing  microcredentials during the workshop and afterwards to ensure highest quality of prepared microcredential courses.

The organised workshop serves as the very 1st stage of the activity cycle, planned to ensure success in  shaping microcredentials:

1. Workshop in the University of Padua (18^th and 19^th March 2024) regarding microcredential courses development.
2. Designing microcredential courses: creating engaging and relevant microcredentials in their area of expertise. Providing insights, advice, and guidance on curriculum development, assessment, and quality assurance.
3. Teaching microcredential courses: facilitating microcredential courses, offering students the benefit of their extensive knowledge.
4. Collaboration with colleagues, industry partners, and other educational institutions to expand the microcredentials ecosystem.

Expected agenda of the event

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The Arqus microcredential development F2F workshop – Live Agenda is available at this link and will be automatically updated when new details are available.

Application deadlines and procedures

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Academics can apply for the Arqus microcredential development F2F workshop by filling in this registration form.

Registration is open from 9^th to 23^rd February 2024.

Information required for registration.

NOTE: Travel expenses and subsistence will not be covered. Workshop costs, including coffee breaks and lunch will be fully covered by the Alliance. For possible refunds of travel expenses, subsistence and other expenditures, please, contact your International Office or local Arqus microcredentials coordinator (see below).

Selection procedure & criteria

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Up to 3 participants per university in line with Arqus priority areas in Climate Change, Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Heritage will be invited. The selection of participants will be processed in a balanced way, taking into account participants from different universities.

Registrations will be accepted and confirmed once a week by using a first-come-first-served approach.

In case of a large number of participants, they will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Clear goals and intended learning outcomes;
• Sustainability of the action;
• Priority will be given to applications with the Arqus priority areas in Climate Change, Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Heritage.

Outcomes of the workshop

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After the training, applicants will continue the preparation of joint microcredential courses.

Start of period eligible for implementation of developed microcredentials: by the end of the Arqus project. 

Contact information

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In case of any questions related to the development of microcredentials, please, contact the local coordinator of each University:

University of Graz: Katharina Deman katharina.deman@uni-graz.at	University of Granada: Francisca Serrano fdserran@ugr.es
University of Lyon 1: Maeva Sagueton maeva.sagueton@univ-lyon1.fr	University of Minho: Magda Pinheiro magda.pinheiro@reitoria.uminho.pt
University of Padua: Gioia Bottesi gioia.bottesi@unipd.it; Maria Chiara Ferraresi mariachiara.ferraresi@unipd.it	Vilnius University: Vita Remenytė vita.remenyte@vm.vu.lt
University of Wroclaw: Danuta Malicka danuta.malicka@uwr.edu.pl

Update information

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Half of the first day of this workshop (18^th March) will be also available online via Zoom platform.

Agenda of the virtual part is provided here.

Call published on 02 Feb 2024