The Academic Forum themed “Micro-credentials in Non-formal Learning” (the Forum), organised by Hong Kong Metropolitan University Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKMU LiPACE) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) and Credly, was successfully held virtually on 23 August 2023. The Forum, which was attended by over 80 participants, revolved around the latest quality assurance policy development on micro-credentials in Hong Kong.
Professor Reggie KWAN, Provost of HKMU, first delivered a welcoming speech when the Forum commenced. Mr Albert CHOW, Executive Director of HKCAAVQ, and Mr Greg Higgins, Enterprise Account Executive of Credly (APAC), were the keynote speakers. Mr Albert CHOW’s keynote speech, titled "Proposed Approach to Promote the Development of Micro-credentials under the Qualifications Framework in Hong Kong", introduced the global development of micro-credentials to the participants and explained how micro-credentials could be paralleled with the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF). Mr CHOW mentioned that micro-credentials provide a more flexible learning model and platform, allowing learners to pursue continuing education in a way that better suits their own needs. The local industry and relevant stakeholders should learn from the experience of other jurisdictions in the future to improve the implementation of the micro-credentials system in Hong Kong, as well as to cultivate more talents.
Following was a Panel Discussion session moderated by Dr. Kathleen CHIM, Programme Director of LiPACE, HKMU. Discussants included Ms SHING Sze Wai, Associate Director of LiPACE, HKMU, Dr Cissy LI, Head of Hong Kong Baptist University’s Language Centre, and Mr Geoffrey TSUI, Learning Advisor of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi). In addition to sharing their experiences in digital learning and implementation of digital qualifications, the speakers also responded to questions from the participants throughout the discussion session.