Case Study

Development of a Comprehensive Micro-Credentials Platform Client Introduction

We partnered with a leading higher education institution in the GCC region to develop a cutting-edge Micro-Credentials Platform. The platform was designed to automate the management of Professional Certifications and Qualifications (PCQs), streamline data reporting, and support institutional KPIs such as % Certified Graduates and % PCQ-endorsed programs. This initiative was critical for aligning the institution’s academic offerings with industry needs and national economic priorities.

Challenges

The client faced several challenges in managing and leveraging micro-credentials effectively:

  1. Manual Processes:

    The existing system relied heavily on manual data entry, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in PCQ tracking and reporting.

  2. Scattered Data:

    PCQ data was siloed across multiple systems, making it difficult to generate comprehensive insights or monitor attainment effectively.

  3. Scalability Issues:

    The institution needed a platform capable of supporting over 60 academic programs, multiple awarding bodies, and a growing student population.

  4. Compliance and Reporting:

    Accurate tracking of PCQ attainments was essential for meeting institutional KPIs and facilitating planning for PCQ awarding ceremonies.

  5. User Accessibility:

    Students, faculty, and administrators required a unified platform to manage and access PCQ-related information seamlessly.

Solution

To address these challenges, we designed and implemented a robust Micro-Credentials Platform tailored to the institution’s needs. Key components of the solution included:

  1. Career Pathways Framework
    • Automated Data Integration: Developed seamless integration with the institution’s existing systems, such as ERP and Power BI, to streamline data synchronization.
    • Configurable PCQ Management: Allowed administrators to define and manage PCQs, including mapping to courses, levels, and assessment strategies, with versioning capabilities for updates.
    • Centralized Reporting: Implemented a comprehensive reporting suite to track KPIs such as % Certified Graduates, PCQ attainment by program, and individual student progress.
    • User Access Levels:

      Designed role-based access for administrators, faculty, and students to ensure security and relevance of data access.

  2. Enhanced User Experience
    • Student Dashboards: Enabled students to track their PCQ progress, download certificates, and view personalized career pathways.
    • Faculty Tools: Provided faculty with user-friendly interfaces for PCQ result entry and real-time progress monitoring.
    • Administrator Portals: Equipped administrators with tools to manage PCQ agreements, monitor data integrity, and oversee compliance requirements.
  3. Scalability and Flexibility
    • Multi-Awarding Body Support: Designed the platform to accommodate agreements with multiple awarding bodies and manage their unique requirements.
    • Customizable Workflows: Allowed the institution to configure workflows for PCQ approvals, updates, and notifications.
    • Long-Term Sustainability: Incorporated modular features to enable future enhancements, such as blockchain integration for certification validation.
  4. Cost Efficiency Measures
    • Data Centralization: Reduced manual labour and duplicated efforts by automating data flows and centralizing reporting capabilities.
    • Optimized Resources: Leveraged existing infrastructure where possible, minimizing implementation costs and ensuring efficient use of resources.

Results

The Micro-Credentials Platform delivered transformative outcomes for the institution:

  1. Operational Efficiency:
    • Reduced manual data entry by 70%, enabling staff to focus on strategic activities.
    • Streamlined reporting processes, reducing report generation time from days to minutes.
  2. Enhanced Student Experience:
    • Over 16,000 students accessed the platform in its first year, with 95% reporting improved clarity on their PCQ progress.
    • Facilitated issuance of over 25,000 certificates within the first two years, ensuring timely recognition of student achievements
  3. Improved KPI Tracking:
    • Enabled accurate tracking of key metrics such as % Certified Graduates and % PCQ-endorsed programs, supporting institutional planning and decision-making.
    • Supported national-level reporting requirements, aligning with government priorities and standards.
  4. Scalability and Adaptability:
    • Successfully scaled to support over 98% of the institution’s academic programs and multiple awarding bodies.
    • Positioned the institution as a leader in micro-credentials management within the region, attracting new partnerships and opportunities.

Conclusion

The development of the Micro-Credentials Platform exemplifies the power of technology-driven solutions in transforming higher education. By automating processes, centralizing data, and enhancing user experiences, the platform not only improved operational efficiency but also empowered students, faculty, and administrators to achieve greater outcomes. This case study underscores our ability to design and deliver impactful digital transformation solutions aligned with institutional and national priorities.