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UP starts discussion on PH microcredential framework

| Written by Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

Regine Pustadan of the Office of the Vice President for Digital Transformation sets the tone for the whole-day event by presenting a most basic question. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.

 

The University of the Philippines, through its Office of the Vice President for Digital Transformation and the UP Open University, gathered representatives of sectors relevant to the provision of microcredentials in the Philippines, for a roundtable discussion on standardizing and forming a national framework for microcredentials.

 

Members of academic institutions, government agencies, regulatory and accreditation bodies, industries, and professional associations were part of “Microcredential Standards and Frameworks: Roundtable Discussion,” held Nov. 24 at Microtel, UP-Ayala Technohub, Diliman, Quezon City.  

 

Former UPOU Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria brings up the observation that the employment market is less focused on college degrees, as it is increasingly on skills. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
UPOU Chancellor Joane Serrano (fourth from top left) facilitates a discussion among representatives of government agencies for “framework ideation and harmonization.” Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.

 

The program was introduced by former UPOU Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria, who is part of the UP System technical working group on microcredentials. The other members of the TWG are UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Lorraine Pe Symaco, UP Vice President for Digital Transformation Peter Sy, UPOU Chancellor Joane Serrano, and former UPOU Vice Chancellor and now its Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Assistant to the Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives Primo Garcia.

 

Breakout sessions gathered insights on prevailing best practices, challenges, and policy issues surrounding microcredentials in the Philippines. A call to action was made to form a national consortium under a comprehensive and inclusive National Microcredential Framework, which the TWG aims to draft.

 

Input from industry representatives are gathered in a breakout session facilitated by UP Open University’s Finaflor Taylan (rightmost). Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
Participants of the UP-led multisectoral roundtable discussion on microcredential standards and frameworks pose for a souvenir photograph. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.