University of Amsterdam Introduces and Awards Inaugural Microcredential

The UvA is taking part in the nationwide Microcredentials Pilot. With microcredentials, professionals can prove the quality of individual courses or modules they have taken, to a future employer for instance.

Vicente Alves was the first at the UvA to receive a microcredential for the Data Literacy course. Vicente: ‘I chose Data Literacy because data is so important nowadays. A microcredential will be really helpful if I want to move to another career path. I am a teacher now, but in the future, I may want to do something with data. The credential is verified, comes from a very good university and it looks good on your CV.’

More about microcredentials
During the nationwide Microcredentials pilot, the UvA will set up a system involving digital certificates for short units of study, together with 33 other higher education institutions. These certificates are aimed at professionals interested in taking an individual course or module.

There is a growing need for education aimed at professionals
Microcredentials fit this need perfectly. Geert ten Dam, former President of the Executive Board: ‘Gone are the days when degree programmes provided everything that citizens needed for the rest of their lives. Developments are simply following each other too fast for that. Lifelong development is crucial to keep up with developments in your current job, in preparation for a new career step and for personal growth.’

Valuable educational innovation
Andrea Manneke is programme developer at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies. Andrea: ‘As a pioneer in educational innovation, we are taking a step further by participating in the pilot. Our programme will become even more accessible to a larger target group and we will contribute to the continuous development of professionals.’