OUR statement in “K” 67 year old civil engineer Harilaou Belitsu That professional life requires constant training and flexibility, as footballers must do to stay in the game, accurately reflects the definition of “micro-certificates”. This is certified knowledge offered as part of short-term programs of universities and companies that strengthen and update the knowledge of graduates. This type of education and qualification has gained international prominence in recent years, and distance learning and university digital platforms are not intended to replace or replace traditional higher education through a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.

It is complementary in that it allows certain learning outcomes (thus qualification acquisition) to be achieved in a short period of time. Already Greek Universities and Centers for Lifelong Learning they implement relevant courses live or remotely. In fact, in Greece the last … castle fell recently, resisting the respective Centers, due to the reactions that existed. “The changes recorded in recent years in the organization and functioning of the economy, and the great development of technology require human resources with modern knowledge and skills that will have the necessary flexibility and adaptability to rapid changes,” notes National Higher Education Authority (ETHAAE) in her latest report.

Micro-credentials

Seminars do not replace higher education, but work additionally, giving certified knowledge in a short time.

In particular, microcertificates are certified documents that indicate the learning outcomes achieved, the assessment method, the body that issued them, the level of qualifications received and the credits received. According to the OECD, this fills the existing gap between the knowledge that the traditional curriculum provides and the specific/specialized knowledge/skills that businesses are looking for. Micro-credentials are also an approach that institutions can use to reach non-traditional students. Thus, gradually universities, collaborative schemes of universities through digital course platforms, as well as large companies such as Microsoft and Toyota, began to offer such learning opportunities, that is, courses leading to micro-certificates. It should be noted that the recent pandemic has contributed to high demand for such courses.

The characteristics of microdiplomas are that they are offered through live, online or hybrid courses that cover both general and specialized skills and knowledge. They last from several hours to weeks. Participants are assessed during the visit through quizzes, assignments and/or exams. They are offered by universities, businesses, other agencies and employers.

These courses are already available digitally. For example, in Europe it was developed European MOOC Consortiumwhich includes the main platforms Future Learn, FUN, Miriadax, EduOpen and Openuped, offering around 3,000 MOOCs and representing a network of 400 institutions and businesses. It is estimated that there are at least 15,000 courses leading to microcredit, 75% of which are in the scientific subjects of management and technology. More than 220 million learners worldwide have completed at least one MOOC course, with about 40 million new learners enrolled in the course in 2021 alone.

Do it like football

HARILAOS BELITSOS

“Just as football players need to train constantly to be in shape, so do all professionals.” says “K” Charilaos Belitsos, who attended a program at the Center for Lifelong Learning at NTUA. The 67-year-old civil engineer estimates that he has attended about 70 seminars in his working life. “Our science is on the rise. For example, every earthquake teaches us new things about construction. Also take into account the changes that have been made to the anti-seismic regulations since I studied at the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Patras,” he notes, emphasizing the importance of keeping up to date on his work. And, as he says with a smile, “If you know what they are saying to you at the seminar, you are glad that you were tested. If you don’t know them, you’ll be glad to know them.”

ROSA GEORGIADOU

Rosa Georgiadou, 46, a gymnast at a school in Giannitsa, took advantage of the coronavirus lockdown to earn five certificates by attending courses at the Lifelong Learning Center of the University of Athens. Among the subjects he attended were the management of school divisions, the role of gender in education, adult education. “These are evaluated programs that are useful if I am applying for a change of work environment or an administrative position. Of course, by attending the program, you improve personally and in your work at school,” he adds, emphasizing that “it is important that now every citizen can receive an excellent specialization from anywhere in Greece. To be able to train with the best without changing cities and without leaving your office.”

SOTIRIS RAPTOPOULOS

“The theme of the company is related to the theme of the program I attended. My goal was to expand my knowledge and explore new trends in the industry,” says “K” Sotiris Raptopoulos, 55, is a graduate of the NTUA School of Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Raptopoulos took part in one of the popular KEDIVIM NTUA programs for the inspection and evaluation of bridge structure and technical work. “Just as we recognized that our machine must be regularly checked and maintained, so for the technical work that has been built all previous years, we must understand that something like this is required,” he says, emphasizing that “ in Greece, the valuation of technical objects is in great demand, because technical objects, after their construction, are not maintained, but indulge in the oblivion of time.”

GOSPEL TIMBLALEXI

Evangelia Timplalexi, 44, strengthened her position in the labor market by attending the programs of the Center for Lifelong Learning at the University of Athens. He is a philologist and his programs have included second chance schools, special education, teaching Greek to immigrants and refugees. She herself works in a telecommunications company and at the same time gives private lessons to children. “I try my best to keep up with everything, both work and family. With the EKPA programs, I have accumulated knowledge as well as points for replacement positions and public school assignments.” said K. Ms. Timplalexi, pointing to the specifics of the education sector: “New graduates can enter graduate school and thus improve their position in the rankings of recruited teachers. In our time, there was no such trend.”

MICHALIS PITSIKALIS

24-year-old Michalis Pitsikalis graduated from the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Democritus in Thrace. A few years later, he works as a research and development engineer for a private company based in Drama. At the same time, he attended the program “Study, design, construction, management of low-voltage electrical installations” of NTUA remotely, because. “I had to brush up on my knowledge,” he says. talking to “K”. “The truth is that the initial motivation for participating in the program was personal, as additional knowledge helps me in my work. We must abandon the notion that everything we have learned in university is everything. Developments at work change as innovations and technological developments are “launched”. New knowledge and skills are required.

Open access to knowledge for all Europeans

One of the goals of the European Union for the period up to 2030 is to increase the opportunity for European citizens of all ages and employment status to receive higher education at any stage of their life. “The ability to study in a short time, as well as compliance with certain quality criteria, will ensure the recognition of microdiplomas by universities, employers and other institutions. In this way, micro-certificates will play an important role in building a society focused on lifelong learning and improving the lives of all citizens,” notes ETHAAE. Besides, how – says Thomas Sfikopoulos “K”.The “soul” of the Center for Lifelong Learning of the University of Athens and Honorary Professor of the institution, the courses strengthen the skills of those who attend them, as well as their professional qualifications for possible employment in the state, career changes and to qualify for better wages.

In Greece, in particular, universities are one by one strengthening the programs of Lifelong Learning Centers, where university professors and researchers teach. The most popular subjects are from the field of economics, engineering, special education and training, information technology. The pioneers were the University of Athens and the University of Economics of Athens, while the NTUA wants to regain lost ground after its center was delayed by ideological and political backlash. There was a reaction in the institution because the programs of the centers are based on education.

“KEDIVIM of NTUA was founded in April 2021 and is already ISO 9001 certified and offers a rich program to meet the latest interests of the tech world. NTUA was a pioneer in the field of learning and lifelong learning with the establishment and operation of the Center for Continuing Education in the 90s, but a period of pause followed due to various difficulties and the resulting difficulties, which were postponed along with the “thaw” of two years ago . noticed on “K” rector of the institution Andreas Buduwis. “The combination of KEDIVIM with technology transfer structures and the Energy Competence Center is an important move by NTUA towards the labor market and its connection to innovation,” he adds. The estimated cost of NTUA programs is 800 euros for a program with 130 hours of study (theory and workshops) and 30 hours of practical training.

In KEDIVIM EKPA, which started in 2018, about 1,000 programs have been offered to date, in which 20,000 trainees have taken part. The cost starts from 100 euros and goes up to 2500 euros in very specialized programs for professionals (for example, for dental implants).