Micro-certificates are a new and effective way to implement lifelong learning in higher education and adult learning. Széchenyi István University has launched such short courses to help students and employees acquire specific knowledge in a particular field in response to labour market needs. The recently ended course, for example, provided new knowledge on the dangers of digital space and how to avoid them. 

"The specific feature of the micro-courses is that they are all part of a more complex course at the university. So anyone who takes it earns credits which, if they go on to higher education now or later, can be recognised. It has the great advantage of being targeted, providing specific knowledge that is valuable in the labour market and of great use not only to students but also to external recruits."– said Kata Némethné Farkas, Head of the Centre for Adult Education and Competence Development at Széchenyi István University. She added that the system of micro-certificates can be used to involve practically any age group in university education, since, for example, the institution's robot programming training is aimed at university students as well as at primary school students.

Family safety expert Ákos Pöltl gave a series of lectures to the participants on the dangers of the digital space (Photo: András Adorján)

The short training "Dangers of the digital space", which was held at the Apáczai Csere János Faculty of Pedagogics, Humanities and Social Sciences of the University, recently concluded with great success.The training focused on the negative effects of the digital world on children, the dangers of the online space and prevention techniques. The series of three lectures, mainly aimed at teachers, other professionals working with children and, last but not least, parents, was led by family safety expert Ákos Pöltl. The speaker helped the audience to communicate with children about the digital space, social media platforms and dangers. He also talked about online scams, the impact of smartphones on mental health and how to deal with them. 

"The big advantage of short-term courses is that the knowledge material can be treated as part of a longer training, but those who only need the specific knowledge material can apply and obtain a micro-certificate in a targeted manner," said Dr. Attila Pongrácz, Dean of the Faculty. He added that the completed courses can be put together like a jigsaw puzzle, and the resulting knowledge curve can even cover several semesters of training. "Knowing the dangers of the digital world is a topical issue that teachers need to know, but it is also of interest to parents and even to business professionals. This is why the presentations, which were also available on the Internet, were of great interest and the recordings could serve as a basis for future online training," he stressed.

The micro-training on the dangers of the digital space provided up-to-date knowledge for educators, business professionals and parents (Photo: András Adorján) 

"Our course on digital child protection is currently under accreditation  which includes two postgraduate trainings ending in a certificate, one in law and one which is not for lawyers . One of the subjects of the training is"Dangers of the digital space", so those who obtain a micro-certificate could later receive  credit duering their unvierstiy course".– said Dr. Roland Kelemen, Assistant Professor at the Deák Ferenc Faculty of Law and Political Sciences of the University.

He said that micro-certificates are an excellent complement to postgraduate education, as the short courses focus on a specific area of study. "A good example of this is that we also organise micro-courses on the legal regulation and technological aspects of artificial intelligence, at the request of students in the cybersecurity law programme," he said.

Dr. Zsolt Kovács, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University, emphasized that they have initiated cooperation with the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the development of the micro-certificate system.

He added: "The aim is to use the partnership to provide training on the most topical issues for businesses, related to the latest technologies, with the great advantage of flexibility. "They allow workers to acquire new knowledge and skills without being absent from their daily work," he said.

Imre Pintér-Péntek, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Győr-Moson-Sopron County, said that companies can only be competitive in a rapidly changing world if they are open to new knowledge.

"That's why we support the university in several ways in this field. On the one hand, we are trying to make companies aware of the benefits of micro-certificates and we are promoting the courses among them. We are also helping to launch training courses that provide knowledge that is really important for businesses and that they can use immediately. If necessary, we also help to bring in external lecturers."

- he said.

Those interested in short-term courses should regularly check the Széchenyi István University's "Pathway to Higher Education" website, where you can find the currently available micro-certificate courses.