The University of Split made a major step forward at the European Union level, applying Europass digital credentials, as one of the possibilities offered by the new Europass platform, European digitalization tool of sorts. That is to say, the University of Split was first in the European Union to issue Europass digital certificate and is the first European institution that successfully issued as many as 437 of them to participants in the online international conference Week of Innovative Regions in Europe - WIRE 2020, organized by Split’s Faculty of Economics in January 2021.
Europass Digitaly Signed Credentials are part of the new Europass platform available since July 2020. Certain institutions, such as universities, issue these credentials to individuals to confirm and provide evidence of learning outcomes and qualifications gained, such as diplomas, leading to a better understanding and verification of qualifications as well as other proofs of education. Europass digital credentials can be used for all forms of learning, not just formal education, users can share them with employers, education and training institutions or other organizations that require information on individuals' qualifications when they are applying for jobs or educational opportunities across Europe. They serve as proof that stated qualifications are authentic, also offer a better insight into skills and experience of the credential holder. Digital credentials have the same legal value as paper certificates, and allow institutions issuing digital qualifications and other learning credentials that cannot be illegally altered free of charge.
Digital credentials system is secure and free, and in order to develop and test it, the European Commission started cooperating with EU Member States and other countries in developing this pilot project. University of Split is one of the 18 institutions in the European Union and the only one in Croatia that joined the Europass Digitally Signed Credentials (EDC) pilot project and successfully ran the issuing of first diploma supplements under the leadership of Prof. Mile Dželalija Ph.D., head of the expert group for digitalizing qualifications. The University expanded its activities in this area also to issuing digital credentials for participating in conferences, trainings, etc. Therefore, in cooperation with Assoc. Prof. Maja Ćukušić Ph.D., it issued 437 digital credentials to all participants in the WIRE conference held in November 2020 at the Faculty of Economics. Issuing of credentials continued with the Student Entrepreneurship Incubator, which also confirms participation in trainings with digital credentials issued to participants.
In the European University of the Sea (SEA-EU) Alliance, University of Split is leading activities of digitalizing qualifications and satisfying conditions for introducing the European Student Card. Based on set project goals, one of them being running Europass Digitally Signed Credentials (EDC), an expert group was formed, consisting of representatives from all six universities that make up the Alliance. University of Split’s vision being creating an international university, one that fosters multilingualism, an interdisciplinary European university, University of Split’s inclusion in this pilot project, according to its Rector, Prof. Dragan Ljutić Ph.D. was challenging in increasing University’s visibility and renown.
Ivana Jadrić, SEA-EU project’s technical manager at the University of Split, said that a number of activities have been done within the Alliance to create conditions for running the system smoothly. That means that a working group was formed, key strategic documents and guidelines adopted, after which University of Split successfully issued said credentials. Vice-rector Prof. Đurđica Miletić Ph.D., SEA-EU project manager, emphasized that with these activities the University of Split showed that it has accepted all challenges of digitalization in higher education and that it is proud to be able to share its acquired knowledge with other SEA-EU partners.
The Agency for Mobility and Programs of the European Union’s Europass Center, the European Commission and University of Split started to organize an online virtual event on "EUROPASS DIGITAL CREDENTIAL TO FUTURE - PROOF YOUR POTENTIAL" which will take place May 10, 2021. At this event, it will be possible to learn more about Europass digital credentials and the process of developing this tool. After the event, an interactive web workshop on implementing EDCs is being planned, Its exact date will be announced later on in the Agency’s and the University of Split’s websites and social networks.
More information on Europass Digitally Signed Credentials: https://europa.eu/europass/en/europass-digital-credentials.
More about the SEA-EU Alliance: www.sea-eu.org