CivilsKash
Micro-Credentials: Lifeline for Degrees in Industry 4.0
The rise of the knowledge economy and Industry 4.0 (AI, IoT, data science, cybersecurity) has exposed a widening skills gap, as traditional 3–4 year degree programmes fail to keep pace with rapidly evolving labour-market needs, making lifelong learning essential for employability.
To address this mismatch, higher education globally is pivoting towards micro-credentials, defined by bodies like AACSB and the European Commission as short, competency-based, industry-aligned certifications that verify assessed learning outcomes and enhance job readiness alongside conventional degrees.
Market data highlights their scale: of US $36 billion spent on online degrees in 2019, US $9.8 billion went to micro-credentials, with the online degree market projected to reach US $74 billion by 2025 (HolonIQ).
In India, autonomous colleges can leverage UGC autonomy, NSDC benchmarking, and alignment with the National Credit Framework (NCrF) and NSQF to offer stackable digital badges, nano-degrees, and micro-degrees, potentially availing GST exemptions and new revenue streams.
Well-designed, industry-mapped, and quality-assured micro-credentials are emerging as a strategic tool to future-proof Arts, Science, and Engineering degrees against obsolescence.
To address this mismatch, higher education globally is pivoting towards micro-credentials, defined by bodies like AACSB and the European Commission as short, competency-based, industry-aligned certifications that verify assessed learning outcomes and enhance job readiness alongside conventional degrees.
Market data highlights their scale: of US $36 billion spent on online degrees in 2019, US $9.8 billion went to micro-credentials, with the online degree market projected to reach US $74 billion by 2025 (HolonIQ).
In India, autonomous colleges can leverage UGC autonomy, NSDC benchmarking, and alignment with the National Credit Framework (NCrF) and NSQF to offer stackable digital badges, nano-degrees, and micro-degrees, potentially availing GST exemptions and new revenue streams.
Well-designed, industry-mapped, and quality-assured micro-credentials are emerging as a strategic tool to future-proof Arts, Science, and Engineering degrees against obsolescence.