After a successful first working session held in February with representatives of the private sector, the Universitat Jaume I (UJI) has convened this Thursday about twenty representatives of municipalities, associations and professional associations to present the university micro-credentials, a new and flexible training proposal that provides a plus of certification, as they are recognised at European level.

 

The headquarters of the Universitat Jaume I-Empresa Foundation (FUE-UJI) hosted this conference, in which Isabel García Izquierdo, Vice-Rector for Studies and Lifelong Learning of the UJI; Gloria Serra Isierte, manager of the FUE-UJI; María José Aramburu, Deputy Vice-Rector for Studies and Lifelong Learning of the UJI; and Reyes Riera, head of the Training area of the FUE-UJI, took part.

 

The European Commission defines a micro-credential as a qualification that demonstrates the learning outcomes acquired through a short course or module, assessed in a transparent way and which can be offered, among other institutions, by universities. "The advantage of micro-credentials is that they allow people who take them to improve their skills or retrain, updating their knowledge and adapting it to the current reality and the needs of the labour market, without having to take a full higher education programme," said Isabel García Izquierdo, Vice-Rector for Studies and Lifelong Learning.

 

 

During the meeting, the procedure for the implementation of a university micro-credential was explained, as well as the requirements it must meet: it must include certain aspects, such as quality verification procedures, the level of learning according to the European Qualifications Framework, the volume of theoretical work required (in ECTS credits), the practical volume in hours, among others. In addition, it must comply with the principle of transparency, authenticity and portability (in line with European standards EDC, European Digital Credentials).

 

In the case of the UJI, the first micro-credentials offered in the last academic year were on innovative public procurement in local administration, artificial intelligence applied to business and on preparation and management of European projects, although the offer has been expanding, including a dozen new titles for this academic year, 2023-2024.

 

The Universitat Jaume I-Empresa Foundation is in charge of prospecting and coordinating the proposals for micro-credentials, previously approved by the University's Board of Directors and the governing bodies.