Microcredentials

In January 2025, four representatives from Nuremberg Institute of Technology, the University of Rostock and the University of Cologne will travel to Ireland to take an in-depth look at the topic of microcredentials (MCs). The delegation trip to Ireland will provide valuable insights into the pioneering approach of the Irish Micro-credentialing project “MicroCreds”. The aim is to identify good practices and transfer them to German universities and European university alliances in order to drive forward the digital transformation and the introduction of microcredentials (MCs). Thanks to the diverse professional backgrounds of the delegation team, the topic will be examined from different perspectives and discussed in a practical manner.

The focus is on the following questions:

• Policy: What framework conditions has Irish politics created for the widespread introduction of MCs?
• Technology: How are digital credentials issued and managed? What technical solutions are used?
• University practice: How large are MCs in practice (e.g. in ECTS)? How are they accredited and quality assured?
• Internationality: Are MCs divisible and stackable in accordance with EU regulations? What is the student status of students from partner universities in higher education alliances?
• Recognition: How can MCs be integrated and recognized in existing curricula?

Through the exchange with leading educational institutions in Ireland, valuable findings are to be collected and adapted in order to actively promote the introduction of MCs and the digital transformation at German universities. A comprehensive transfer of knowledge is planned in order to make the knowledge gained widely accessible and to promote further development:

• Hangout: The exact date will be announced at a later date.
• Online workshops: Further information will be announced at a later date.
• Blog posts: Further information will be announced at a later date.

Here you will find a task card containing detailed information on the delegation trip. You also have the opportunity to share your suggestions and questions directly with the delegation team.

Delegation team

The delegation team is made up of the following representatives:

• Thu Van Le Thi (Nuremberg Institute of Technology): Teaching and skills development, project management “Micro-Credentials for Data Analytics (MC4Data)”.
• Dr. Malte Kneifel (University of Cologne): Prorectorate for Teaching and Studies, expert for strategic university topics.
• Matthias Spiegel (Nuremberg Institute of Technology): Computer science faculty, technical expert for the implementation of MC4Data.
• Leon Weber (University of Rostock): Staff unit for university and quality development and representative of the EU university alliance EU-CONEXUS.