Project Introduction-UNESCO-ICHEI

IIOE Micro-Certification Project

The IIOE Micro-Certification Project for Higher Education Workforce Digital Competency Building(hereinafter referred to as the "IIOE Micro-certification Project") is a mechanism developed by the UNESCO-ICHEI IIOE to empower higher education professionals in digital and AI application capacity-building. The IIOE Micro-certification project encourages a competency-based certification approach and flexible learning formats, and establishes a comprehensive support system from aspects including institutional strategic planning, building recognition, course development, and training implementation.

Project Background

Project Objectives

To provide flexible and tailored upskilling solutions for higher education professionals
To develop adaptive definitions and assessment standards for digital competencies, serving as a reference for the professional development of teaching staff, institutional leadership, and academic support personnel
To build a comprehensive content repository to support professional growth, incorporating courses, case studies, and expert-led guidance to foster knowledge exchange and peer learning among institutions
To promote the recognition of digital competency development as a key component of professional advancement through policy discussions, the provision of guidelines, and access to expert consultation

IIOE Course Framework

IIOE adopts "content driven + partner demand" to continuously advances the construction of frontier courses in four areas: "Higher Education Teaching Personnel Digital Competency", "GenAI for Higher Education Professionals", "AI + Discipline", and "AI + Industry".

Higher Education Workforce Digital Competency Reference Framework

IIOE GenAI Courses

Oriented to GenAI-enabled Human-Machine Collaborative Learning

IIOE Course Overview

Aligned with A/B/C/T Competency Levels, and including a number of courses for capacity building

Industry Micro-certifications from Partner Enterprises

TVET Courses

focus on industry-aligned, hands-on digital skills

"AI+Discipline" Course Series

Implementation Plan

Overall Implementation Strategy

In the overall planning of the Micro-Certification Project, IIOE fully respects personalised and localised learning needs, and builds a diversified course system based on the IIOE Digital Competency Reference Framework for Higher Education Workforce (hereinafter referred to as the "Reference Framework"). At the same time, IIOE keeps up with the development trend of AI technology, continuously iterates the course content, and designs exclusive learning paths based on AI characteristics to help learners carry out self-directed online learning efficiently.

IIOE Digital Competency Reference Framework for Higher Education Workforce

IIOE, in collaboration with East China Normal University, has developed the Reference Framework that provides clear definitions and assessment criteria for competency-based learning, as well as complementary guidance materials that provide a pathway for the integration of digital technologies into teaching and learning. At the end of 2024, the IIOE updated the Reference Framework to position the competencies required for leadership management and instructional support staff in HEIs.

Local Recognition of the IIOE Micro-certifications

Policy recognition and endorsement is critical for the IIOE Micro-certifications' success. The IIOE Micro-certifications are jointly recognised by UNESCO-ICHEI, partner institution, industry competency provider, and the overseeing government agencies.

Localisation of the IIOE platform

IIOE develops localised and contextualised courses in conjunction with different organisations to meet the diverse needs of institutions and regions. Universities can identify the required competencies based on the Reference Framework, use IIOE projects or collaborate to develop the most suitable projects, set up their own Micro-Certification learning zones, and share local practical experiences.