TAM Report / Palestine - Micro-credentials

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Towards Better Micro-credentials in Palestine: Design, Implementation, and Recognition

Type of Event: Webinar

Modality: Online

Country: Palestine

Dates: 22–23 September 2025

Participants: Participants included representatives of higher education institutions, vice presidents for planning and development, centres for continuing education, quality assurance units, representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Labour, and private sector stakeholders.

THEMES COVERED

• European approaches and good practices in micro-credential design
• Quality assurance and accreditation of micro-credentials
• Stakeholder roles in the micro-credentials ecosystem
• Co-design methodologies and outcome-based programme design
• Stackability and integration of micro-credentials into the Palestinian NQF
• Institutional strategies and national policy alignment

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Developed a shared understanding of European approaches to micro-credentials and their applicability in Palestine.
• Examined stakeholder roles and quality assurance mechanisms across the micro-credentials ecosystem.
• Explored accreditation, certification, and stackability options for integrating micro-credentials into the Palestinian NQF.
• Co-developed concrete recommendations to strengthen draft national accreditation guidelines and institutional practices.

OVERVIEW

The two-day online TAM webinar focused on strengthening national and institutional capacities for the design, implementation, and recognition of micro-credentials in Palestine. Organised by the National Erasmus+ HERE team, the event combined expert-led presentations with interactive plenary sessions, group exercises, and focus group discussions. The programme addressed the rationale and foundational principles of micro-credentials, European standards and case studies, and the relevance of micro-credentials for employability and lifelong learning in the Palestinian context.

A strong emphasis was placed on practical implementation and policy relevance. Participants engaged in group work on stakeholder mapping, internal quality assurance practices, accreditation pathways, and stackability options. Dedicated focus group sessions supported the co-development of concrete recommendations aimed at refining draft national accreditation guidelines and strengthening institutional strategies. The TAM concluded with agreement on next steps and the identification of follow-up actions at national level.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Focus Group on Developing a Micro-Credentials Policy

Dates: October–November 2025

Audience: 10 participants, including representatives of higher education institutions, vice presidents for planning and development, centres for continuing education, quality assurance units, representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Labour, and private sector stakeholders.

Description: The follow-up activity consisted of a series of focus group meetings aimed at advancing the development of a national micro-credentials policy in Palestine. The meetings brought together key stakeholders to refine quality assurance and accreditation mechanisms, align institutional and national strategies, and identify pathways for integrating micro-credentials into the Palestinian NQF. The activity directly supported the Ministry of Higher Education in preparing a draft law on micro-credentials, with next steps focused on wider stakeholder consultation and feedback.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Refine national accreditation guidelines for micro-credentials in line with European standards and Palestinian realities.
• Establish shared frameworks for internal quality assurance and learner assessment across higher education institutions.
• Develop outcome-based programme design templates to support high-quality micro-credentials.
• Strengthen stakeholder alignment among universities, ministries, accreditation bodies, and the private sector.
• Define clear, phased pathways for integrating micro-credentials into the Palestinian National Qualifications Framework.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2021). Quality and value of micro-credentials in higher education: Preparing for the future. OECD Education Policy Perspectives, No. 40. OECD Publishing, Paris. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2021/09/quality-and-value-of-micro-credentials-in-higher-education_7fefd52e/9c4ad26d-en.pdf
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2023). Micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability. OECD Publishing, Paris. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/03/micro-credentials-for-lifelong-learning-and-employability_13dd81a9/9c4b7b68-en.pdf