TAM Report / Moldova - Micro-credentials

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: The development and implementation of micro-credentials in higher education.

Type of Event: Webinar

Modality: Online

Country: Moldova

Dates: 19 December 2024

Participants: The webinar brought together 50 participants among whom faculty members, researchers, academic administrators, HERE members, as well as industry professionals and stakeholder representatives, all joining online from Moldovan higher education institutions and partner organisations.

THEMES COVERED

• European trends in micro-credentials and their rapid growth
• University–industry collaboration for micro-credential development
• Incorporating emerging technologies into curricula
• Preparing graduates for changing labour market needs
• Establishing action groups to connect universities and industry partners

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Observed practical examples of successful university–industry collaboration
• Engaged in discussion through live questions, comments, and chat inputs
• Gained insight into how micro-credentials are being implemented across Europe
• Increased their awareness of opportunities to develop new partnerships in Moldova

OVERVIEW

The online webinar focused on the development and implementation of micro-credentials in higher education, with the aim of helping Moldovan universities bridge the gap between academic programmes and industry needs, integrate emerging technologies into curricula, and prepare graduates for future labour market demands. The session combined presentation segments with opportunities for participants to ask questions or contribute comments throughout, creating an interactive environment.

The webinar highlighted European developments in micro-credentials, showcasing their rapid expansion and offering concrete examples of university–industry collaboration. The chairperson ensured balanced discussion across the different aspects of the topic, and the online format enabled wide participation shortly before the holiday period.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Establish action groups to bring together universities and industry interested in collaboration.
• Create a network of universities and industries seeking partnerships for micro-credential development.
• Encourage universities to deepen their familiarity with the Erasmus+ programme to build EU partnerships and access innovation-oriented mobility.
• Motivate all higher education institutions to explore opportunities for introducing micro-credentials in relevant disciplines or regions.
• Promote systematic investigation of collaboration possibilities with industry partners to strengthen relevance and employability.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• Cedefop. (2023). The role of micro-credentials in facilitating learning for employment. CEDEFOP. Available at: https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/about-cedefop/public-procurement/role-micro-credentials-facilitating-learning-employment
• European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA). (2023). Approaches to Quality Assurance of Micro-credentials: A report on policies and practices to assure the quality of micro-credentials in the European Higher Education Area. IMINQA Project. Available from: https://www.enqa.eu/wp-content/uploads/IMINQA-MC-report_Approaches-to-Quality-Assurance-of-Micro-credentials.pdf
• Trinity College Dublin (TCD). (n.d.). Micro-credentials. Retrieved 27 November 2025, from https://www.tcd.ie/courses/microcredentials/
• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). (2024, 6 December). Erasmus+ project OCTRA 2 concludes. Retrieved 27 November 2025, from https://www.qqi.ie/news/erasmus-project-octra-2-concludes