Ateneo and UP Open University formally ink partnership on micro-credentials project at 5th International Conference on Open and Distance eLearning

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) together with its academic and industry partners organized the 5th International Conference on Open and Distance eLearning (ICODeL) 2023 as part of the Triconference 2023 held at the UPOU Headquarters in Laguna, Philippines.

The partnership between Ateneo de Manila University, through the Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC), and UPOU was formalized when the two universities signed a memorandum of understanding during the conference. This pivotal ceremonial signing was a key highlight of the preconference, marking a collaborative effort to advance educational opportunities through the MICROCASA project. Present at the signing ceremony were IPC Director Dr Enrique Niño P Leviste, UPOU Chancellor Dr Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies Dean Dr Joane V Serrano, and Dr Carlos Delgado Kloos from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, one of the partners in the MICROCASA consortium.

MICROCASA is the first international project of Erasmus+ aimed at sharing European experiences in micro-credentials and building institutional capacities in Southeast Asia. This collaboration aims to jointly develop, endorse, and provide brief competency-focused educational modules that lead to micro-credentials, all with the ultimate objective of addressing diverse economic and societal challenges.

On the second day of the conference, Ateneo’s Dr Marita Concepcion Castro Guevara and Dr Dennis Batangan together with fellow panelists Dr Cora Añonuevo and Mr Alnard Pagulayan took the stage as speakers in an engaging panel discussion titled "Transforming Higher Education: Empowering Universities through Micro-credentials for Lifelong Learning and Industry Integration" moderated by Associate Professor Peter A Sy.  

During the panel discussion, the significance of establishing a precise definition for micro-credentials in the Philippines was emphasized. It was suggested that such a definition could be incorporated in legislation. The role of regulation in this context was underscored, highlighting the necessity to collaborate with the Philippine Regulatory Commission to streamline the accreditation process for micro-credentials, aligning it with the Philippine Qualifications Framework.

The discussion concluded with a consensus that there should be a willingness to embrace this specific mode of teaching, offering official recognition and widespread acceptance of micro-credentials.

Joining them for the whole duration of the conference were Mr Jacob Carpio, a research associate at IPC, and Mr Gabriel Cruzata, a research intern at IPC.

While the MICROCASA project is still in its early stages, its potential to make a substantial impact on the educational landscape in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, is evident. The collaborative efforts between institutions like the University of the Philippines Open University and Ateneo de Manila University are a promising step towards enhancing the educational system in the region.