Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) has successfully implemented micro-credentialing programs across several fields of study, which has led to exceptional outcomes. The graduates who have secured micro-credentials from the university have obtained a wide variety of skills and also developed a comprehensive overview by incorporating innovation and personal interaction.
As per HTF market intelligence, the global micro credential services market is valued at USD 14071.05 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 30050.64 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%.
In this modern era, acquiring new skills has become paramount, and conventional education systems are facing major challenges in meeting the demands of the workforce. Hence, it is important that the higher education landscape switch to micro-credentialing to deliver students with the required skills.
Leveraging Blockchain Technology
Security is key to the educational industry, and maintaining students' documents is the most important. Nowadays, heaps of institutions have started providing micro-credentialing, and many are in the process of achieving it. Institutions mainly use blockchain technology to secure and decentralise the ledger system. Providing the certificates, badge, or whatever document related to the student's achievements and skills becomes seamless. More importantly, it ensures that the credentialing processes are valid and can transfer the micro-credentials to various industries without complications. From the students' point of view, accessing the credentials of their subject is easy, and they can display their expertise successfully. Finally, blockchain technology assists institutions in the progression of micro-credentialing, and institutions can adjust to the ever-changing requirements of the aspirants, nurturing a systematic education ecosystem.
For instance, The University of Nicosia has a platform called digital verification, which is utilized by blockchain technology. It enables students to obtain tamper-proof digital certificates for course completion and earning micro-credentials.
Personalized Learning Pathways
The way of delivering education has drastically changed over the years, with technologies remaining at the forefront and delivering personalized learning experiences. Nowadays, institutions across the globe are embracing micro-credentialing by incorporating personalized learning. They make it happen with the utilization of artificial intelligence technology, and with data analytics, educational institutions can deliver customized learning experiences to students's preferences and performance. Moreover, this also helps students to improve at their own speed, easily access study materials, and get support. Hence, by providing tailored assistance, institutions assist participants in grasping diverse skills and capabilities corresponding to their passions and career goals. When they start investing in technologies, micro-credentialing becomes an unavoidable tool for nurturing continuous learning.
Southern New Hampshire University, a prestigious institution located in the United States, offers microcredentials to students who acquire specific skills. With personalized learning paths, they tailor the educational experience to meet the individual needs of each student, helping them to improve at their own pace.
Jennifer Servi-Roberts, PHD, Associate Vice President, Johnston Community College said "Higher education has a responsibility to prepare our workforce for these new jobs, and many of our students cannot wait to complete a four-year or even a two-year degree, Micro-credential can help fill that gap by providing specialized training in areas that will most make a difference in people's lives"
Global Collaboration and Recognition
In this contemporary business environment, institutions are adopting micro-credentialing with the help of collaboration and recognition. Educational institutions play a vital role in alliances with potential investors, diverse institutions, and governmental firms from overseas markets and the home nation. Besides, the coalition also helps accomplish global standards for micro-credentials and can look into the concerns of different cultural and educational industries. Eventually, micro-credential programs can be offered to students across the globe by harnessing global alliances. It is also important to get accreditation from the respective board and even a mutual recognition partnership so that the process becomes easy for the institutions to transfer and accept micro-credentials across international markets, improving their value in the educational space.
Harvard University's Data Science MicroMasters program exemplifies how the university embraces micro-credentialing in global collaboration with other industry partners and educational institutions. It helps learners become experts in data science programs through plenty of online courses and projects.
Gamification and Immersive Learning
Gamification and immersive learning are utilized by many sectors across the globe, knowing the attractive benefits they offer. Similarly, the educational landscape is also embracing micro-credentialing by integrating gamification and immersive technologies in the form of augmented reality and virtual reality so that more engagement will happen and also effectiveness with respect to micro-credentialing activities. In gamification, educational institutions have the option to use elements such as bar charts and virtual rewards to motivate students to finish micro-credentialing tasks. More importantly, the technologies play a pivotal role in delivering opportunities for experiential learning, enabling aspirants to deal with scenarios and utilize their capabilities in simulated environments.
Stanford University leverages gamification and immersive learning experiences in its online courses to improve engagement and offer students effective interactive opportunities to showcase their learning.
All in all, micro-credentialing is bringing a revolutionary change in the field of the educational landscape with substantial change. Institutions proactively integrate technologies and effective collaborations, making the learning very personal and contributing to the streamlined acceptance of micro-credentialing. Ultimately, this adds value to the lives of students or professionals who want to enroll in the course, get micro-credentials and use them to advance their careers. Undoubtedly, educational institutions will contribute to a heap of expert professionals in the job market with relevant skills and certification, which will develop an efficient workforce.
