Micro-Credentials from European University Alliances: A Norwegian Perspective on ECIU University
At the Nordic digital conference Læring i nord 2024: Micro-Credentials - The Future of Skills Recognition? Trym Holbek from the ECIU Alliance will present Micro-Credentials from European University Alliances: A Norwegian Perspective on ECIU University.
European university alliances are exploring new forms of collaboration and have been tasked by the European Commission with developing and testing solutions to implement micro-credentials across Europe. Since its establishment in 2019, ECIU University has been actively engaged in this effort. Its vision is to create an ecosystem of universities, public and private stakeholders, and organizations, all connected through an open, digital campus – engage.eciu.eu – where individuals can study, build competencies, and contribute to addressing societal challenges. The goal is to transform ECIU University into a new kind of higher education provider, offering flexible, digital, and career-focused education that better integrates with society.
Through position papers, technical pilots, and collaboration with Europass EDC, the alliance has successfully introduced the first solution for issuing digital micro-credentials with electronic seals at the European level. These credentials can be combined into a personal competence passport, allowing individuals to share their achievements with educational institutions, current or potential employers. The presentation will showcase how this system works for learners across European borders and provide a Norwegian perspective.
Trym Holbek is a Senior Advisor and ECIU Institutional Coordinator at the University of Stavanger. He has nearly 20 years of experience in internationalization, with a focus on mobility, project development, and policy within Erasmus+ and other EU programs. From 2019 to 2022, he contributed to building the infrastructure for ECIU University and has participated in national and international working groups. Holbek holds a Master's degree in Philology, specializing in Spanish language and Latin American studies from the University of Bergen, with exchange studies at the Complutense University of Madrid and Purdue University in the United States. He is the Chair of the Researcher Association’s Board for Technical and Administrative Staff for 2024–2026.
"Læring i nord" is a Nordic digital conference held annually in collaboration between EPALE Norway and the Nordic Network for Adult Learning. The conference addresses topics related to lifelong learning, education, and training for adults from a Nordic perspective.
