CZS: New EDUC Microcredential Courses
Masaryk University (MU) and Jaume I University (UJI) are launching specialized microcredential courses.
Microcredentials
What are microcredentials?
Microcredentials (MC), is an English term used to describe small-scale professional courses with demonstrable proof of acquired competences. Upon completion, the participant receives an electronic record - a microcredential - a portable, verifiable and internationally recognised certificate that enables the holder to prove the knowledge, skills and competences acquired in lifelong learning.
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Who are they for?
Microcredential courses (MC courses) are intended not only for students and graduates, as a practical bonus to their regular studies, but also for professionals with many years of experience who need to gain specific knowledge, for example, during a several-week or one-semester course.
The newly acquired knowledge and skills, evidenced by a verifiable electronic record, a microcredential, help the course participatns increase their employability on the labour market and supports their efforts towards their dream career.
Microcredentials can be used not only on the Czech education and labour market, but also abroad through the Europass platform.
Microcredential is
- Transparent - verifiable outputs
- Portable - shareable electronic record
- Stackable - form larger qualifications
- Recognizable - demonstrable validation
What are they for?
Microcredential is
an electronic record, a certificate of the completion of a small-scale learning module expressed in ECTS credits and the achievement of clearly defined and coherent learning outcomes, sets of knowledge, skills and attitudes that constitute capabilities (competencies).
The essence of microcredential education is not new at Masaryk University. It is basicaly professional lifelong training allowing to expand knowledge, increase qualifications and strengthen competences.
A microcredential unit of learning can be a lifelong learning programme within the meaning of Section 60 of the Czech Higher Education Act, but also a subject or a set of several concurrent or related subjects in an accredited study programme.
Unlike regular lifelong learning, microcredential education is regulated by a recommended national microcredential framework, developed through the cooperation of all public universities in the Czech Republic within the National Recovery Plan, MUNI project 3.2.1, Reg. No. NPO_MUNI_MSMT-16606/2022.
How do they differ?
A microcredential is primarily an electronic record that contains information about the holder (learner) and the awarding body (university), as well as about the learning itself and the learning outcomes achieved.
It carries a unique identifier and is stored indefinitely with an electronic seal in a national authentication and verification system, accessible via a non-public hyperlink that can be shared directly or via a QR code.
Together with the electronic record, the participant receives the proof of obtaining the microcredential in PDF format and a JSONLD data file for validation in the Czech authentication and verification system Mikrocertifikat.cz and in Europass using the EDC Viewer.
Microcredential features
- Institutional quality assurance
- Study load between 1 and 60 ECTS
- European Qualification Framework (EQF)
- Type, language and outcomes of learning
- Type and achieved assessment
- Further information
How to use them?
A microcredential issued upon completion of a course takes the form of an electronic record that can be added as a hyperlink or QR code to a Europass profile describing skills, qualifications and experience and a professional profile such as LinkedIn, or directly to a professional CV. A future trainer or employer can easily display information about the knowledge, skills and general competences of the microcredential holder.
It is not only individuals but also institutions and companies that can benefit from MC education and use e-certification for further education of their employees. MC courses can take the form of standard lifelong courses, but can also be tailor-made to customer needs and requirements.
PDF Certificate
The issued microcredential is stored in MUNI Information System (IS MU). It can be displayed in and downloaded from E-Transcripts application after logging into the IS MU.
The automatically generated PDF file consists of two parts, the certificate and the supplement, which contains all MC details and a hyperlink and QR code to the authentication and verification system Mikrocertifikat.cz.
Mikrocertifikat.cz
The hyperlink or a QR code on the certificate enables you access the authentication and verification system Mikrocertifikat.cz to display information about the microcredential, its holder, quality assurance and learning outcomes, as well as the certificate preview. The system also verifies the format, the electronic seal and validity of the particular microcredential.
However, it is the microcredential holder that decides with whom and for how long the access to the authentication and verification system will be shared, for example, in the CV during a job interview or when applying for further training.
Europass EDC Viewer
Each microcredential issued at MU includes a JSONLD file to display, authenticate and verify the microcredential in Mikrocertifikat.cz, as well as within the European Digital Infrastructure of Europass through EDC Viewer, which allows users to view, export and verify credential.
The application can be accessed without logging in. For displaying the microcredential and verifying its validity, upload the relevant JSONLD file by clicking on the Upload Certificate button in the Certificates for Citizens category.
Microcredentials at MU
Národní plán obnovy v rámci projektu MUNI 3.2.1, reg. č. NPO_MUNI_MSMT-16606/2022
RMU, Komenského nám. 2, Brno
Office No. 405
czv@rect.muni.cz