VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | April – June 2022 10 University of Technology, Jamaica, through its Prior LearningAssessment (PLA) Unit, Office of Teaching and Learning, in collaboration with UTech Academy, in exploring avenues to offer diverse routes of matriculation to higher education, hosted a virtual symposium on March 31, 2022 under the theme “Leveraging Flexible Learning Pathways: The role of Micro-credentials”. The symposium aimed at highlighting microcredentials as a flexible pathway for prospective students to gain entry into the University’s undergraduate and graduate degree programmes, and to become competent and qualified in areas outside of the traditional programmes. Welcoming participants, Dr. Haldane Johnson, Acting Deputy President, noted that the symposium is timely “given the new realities of the higher education and employment landscape in Jamaica”, adding that the objectives align well with the University’s fivestar strategy of service, teaching and learning, access, research and sustainability. Perspectives on the theme were shared by speakers: Dr. Jeanette BartleyBryan, Associate Vice President, Open and Distance Learning, UTech, Jamaica; Dr. Dameon Black, Executive Director, Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC); Dr. Cebert Adamson, Vice President, Students, International and Alumni, Mohawk College, Canada and Ms. Christine Carpenter, Vice President Membership Services, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), USA. In her introduction, moderator, Mrs. Sandy Lawrence, Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator, noted that non-traditional means of matriculation are becoming more c o m m o n p l a c e , and underscored the importance of “maximizing the potential for prior learning assessment to increase student intake.” She indicated that the symposium was geared towards exploring local and international best practices on micro-credentials and their potential to “reach people where they are” in an effort to increase intake into undersubscribed and short courses. Dr. Jeanette Bartley-Bryan, in her presentation ‘The UTech Academy: Formalising a system of Micro-credentials’ outlined that despite the term micro-credential being fairly new, the framework and policy guidelines to enable flexible matriculation have been established, through collaborations across the University. Dr. BartleyBryan shared that the formalization of micro-credentials will mean an increased intake of students. Dr. Dameon Black, Executive Director, Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC) offered his input through a presentation titled ‘J-TECH’s role in developing a Micro-credentials framework’ from the perspective of a regulatory and supervisory body. He noted “employers are driving educators, to think differently”, and expounded on the national need for work-force certification and validation of informal learning “so that stakeholders can appreciate employee’s value and the credibility of their credentials”. Dr. Cebert Adamson, alumnus of the University’s predecessor CAST, in his capacity as Vice President, Students, International and Alumni, Mohawk College, Canada, offered advice and insight on ‘Establishing a system of Micro-credentials: Challenges and Opportunities’. He expounded on the importance of having conversations prior to and during the process of implementing Micro-credentials. He also commented on the importance of considering the type of experience the Unversity wishes for students as “micro credentials would be based on competencies and will validate adaptable, transferable or in demand skills” while being measured by learning competence as opposed to learning hours. Ms. Christine Carpenter, Vice President Membership Services, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), USA offered further insight on ‘Creating Value for Employees and the Industry through Micro-credential Badges’. In her presentation she implored the University to continually “partner with work-based learning partners and organizations”. Consequently, she indicated the importance of the stack-ability of Micro-credentials for adult learners. Dr. Haldane Johnson, Acting Deputy President, UTech, Jamaica Dr. Jeanette Bartley-Bryan, Associate VP, Open and Distance Learning, UTech, Jamaica Dr. Cebert Adamson, Vice President, Students, International and Alumni, Mohawk College, Canada Ms. Sandy Lawrence, PLA Coordinator, UTech, Jamaica Ms. Christine Carpenter, Vice President Membership Services, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), USA. PLA Symposium Explores Micro-credentials as Flexible Learning Pathway
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