Arqus participates in the Roundtable discussion on micro-credentials with the Commissioner Mariya Gabriel

Today, 7th February, from 10 to 11:30 (Brussels time), the rectors/presidents of 21 European University Alliances will meet online to discuss the topic of micro-credentials in a Roundtable organised by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) and that will count with the participation of the Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.

The rector of the Université Lyon 1-Claude Bernard, Frédéric Fleury, will represent Arqus Alliance in this event which is part of a series of consultation rounds on the European approach to micro-credentials with the different actors and stakeholders of the education sector and chaired by the Commissioner. 

Background:

The Commission presented on 10th December 2021 a proposal for a Council Recommendation on micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability. A micro-credential is the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning. These learning outcomes have been assessed against transparent and clearly defined standards.

The small learning experiences, such as short courses leading to micro-credentials, allow for a targeted acquisition of skills and competencies adapted to a fast-changing society and labour market while not replacing traditional qualifications.

The Roundtable is organised as a “targeted consultation” to collect the perspectives and inputs of the Alliances regarding the European approach to micro-credentials:

• Apply a common European definition, standard elements, and key principles for the design and issuance of micro-credentials.
• Develop and use micro-credentials with education, training and labour market systems to support lifelong learning and employability.

Roundtable consultation:

Participants will discuss the following guiding questions:

• How can micro-credentials contribute to lifelong learning and inclusion in higher education and make learning pathways more flexible and adapted to learners’ needs?
• How do you intend to make use of the building blocks of the European approach to micro-credentials (definition, standard elements, principles for the design and issuance of micro-credentials)?
• How can the EU support you in developing and offering high-quality micro-credentials, and how can we help you to reach the widest possible audience, especially to disadvantaged groups?
• How do you intend to share your best practices in developing and offering micro-credentials to inspire your peers and contribute to the take-up by the entire higher education sector?

The European Universities are already working on developing micro-credentials on a larger scale, working towards the establishment of European higher education inter-university campuses offering flexible learning opportunities and alternative learning pathways to learners at all stages of their life, across disciplines and sectors. This event is a new opportunity for them to provide their testing experiences, pave the way and inspire their peers.

For more information, you can download the micro-credentials brochure, the agenda and the list of participants.