Building global Capabilities
The 5th ICoBC Symposium, themed “Building Global Capabilities,” aims to address the critical need for recognizing and validating skills and experiences across borders in our increasingly interconnected world.
Building on the themes of previous symposiums—“From Theory to Practice,” “The Journey of the Champions,” “Connecting the Dots,” and “Ensuring Equal Inclusion”—this symposium will explore how digital credentials can enhance the portability of skills and experiences across borders.
The “Building global Capabilities” event focuses on digital credentials, micro-credentials, open badges, digital badges, skill inventories, skill wallets, and digital identity. It brings together thought leaders and innovators to explore how these digital tools can enhance the portability of skills and experiences across borders, creating opportunities for all.
Throughout the day, participants will delve into good practices, global insights, and innovative frameworks that highlight the importance of recognizing and validating diverse learning and professional experiences. The sessions and workshops are designed to inspire action and collaboration, emphasizing the need for flexible, secure, and accessible systems that support lifelong learning and equitable access to opportunities for the global workforce. By focusing on real-world examples and practical solutions, the event aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change in their own contexts.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, the theme of “Building global Capabilities” serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to create a more interconnected and inclusive world. The discussions and insights shared at this event will not only illuminate the path forward but also inspire a renewed commitment to global collaboration and capability-building in all aspects of our lives. Together, we can harness the potential of digital innovations to build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive..
Symposium Programme
Symposium Chair: Nicola Vollmar
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Setting the stage for a day of collaboration and innovation.
Session 1: The Global Landscape – Why Now?
Establishing the urgent need for global capabilities through policy, higher education transformation, and workforce readiness initiatives.
- A leading voice on digital education policy and technology integration at the national and institutional level.
- An expert in higher education transformation, offering a compelling, large-scale case study on work-based learning from Asia.
- A program manager from a major North American university system, presenting a practical case on implementing micro-credentials for career readiness.
Coffee & Networking Break
Session 2: The Technology Deep Dive – What’s in the Toolbox?
Exploring the research, platforms, and critical design principles that underpin a functional and inclusive digital credential ecosystem.
- A lead researcher from a European EdTech innovation center, sharing the latest findings on digital skills and effective learning design.
- An expert from a leading EdTech provider, demonstrating how modern platforms facilitate competency-based assessment.
- A co-founder of an education lab, grounding the discussion on accessibility.
Lunch
Session 3: The Human-Centered Application (Interactive Workshop)
Short, powerful talks on the real-world application of credentials from the employer, learner, and competency evaluation viewpoints, followed by a facilitated workshop.
- A corporate learning expert from the energy sector, focused on aligning credentials with tangible business outcomes.
- A consultant in competency evaluation from a leading North American university, focused on the challenge of recognizing informal learning.
- A programs director from an African foundation, highlighting the critical needs of youth employability and skill development in the Global South.
Coffee & Networking Break
Session 4: Building the Roadmap – From Talk to Action
A forward-looking, facilitated session where experts synthesize the day’s discussions and chart a course for future collaboration and pilot projects.
- The CEO of an innovative, non-traditional tech education college, offering a vision for the future of digital workforce readiness.
- A head of academic innovation from a university, focused on redesigning curricula to embed employability and authentic assessment.
- A learning experience designer with a background in both corporate and top-tier university settings, bridging the worlds of talent strategy and academic development.
Closing Remarks & Next Steps
Summarizing the day’s outcomes and committing to future action.
Partners, sponsors and supporters:
Become a sponsor for the 5th ICoBC Symposium 2025
Organizations that are working in this field have a unique opportunity to showcase their commitment to ensuring equal inclusion and supporting learners from all backgrounds. Sponsorship opportunities are available for those who want to demonstrate their leadership and contribute to the ongoing conversation around digital badges and verifiable micro-credentials.
Previous sponsors and supporters include Accenture, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Speexx, Lightcast / Emsi Burning Glass, Dataport, and relevantive. As a sponsors, you gain the following benefits:
- 2 complimentary registrations at the Symposium
- Hyperlink with company name and logo on the official 2025 Symposium web page
- Company name on promotional emails
- Logo/listing in the ICoBC onsite program as an official sponsor
- Logo displayed on banner at event entrance
- Logo displayed in video recordings
If you want to become a sponsor of the 2025 Symposium, please send us an email.
Participants of previous Symposiums
Organisations:
Access Microfinance Holding AG, AccessHolding, America Succeeds, ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, Atlantic Technological University, Australian Catholic University, Badge Europe, Bayer, Bildungsplattform der WKO GmbH, Bloom Foundation, BMBF, Bookt, Brigham Young University, CanCred by Learning Agents, Certif-ID International OHG, CGFNS International, Concentric Sky / Badgr, Credential Engine, Credivera, CredShare, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Digitary, Education Design Lab, Education in Motion, E-duProof UG, eLearning Africa, Emsi Burning Glass, Essential Skills Program, Fachhochschule Münster, FAO, Forever Day One (4ed1 GmbH), Gear Up, George Washington University, German Testing Board e.V., Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ZDH, Hochschulforum Digitalisierung, Humanitarian Leadership Academy, ICDE, ICoBC, imc AG, Institute of Technology Sligo, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jumia, kcg.edu, Knapp & Associates Int’l, Lightcast, LinkedIn, Microsoft, NAEC, Open University UK, Proctorio GmbH, RANDA Solutions, Regione Emilia-Romanga, relevantive GmbH, Seneca College, Speexx, SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Stifterverband, Studieorganisasjon Folkeuniversitetet, T3 Innovation Network, Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Technische Universität Berlin, The Open University, TU Berlin, TÜV Rheinland International GmbH, University of Huddersfield, University of Kentucky, University of Maine System, UNSSC, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, Visions, Western Governors University, World Bank
Job Titles:
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, Assistant Professor, CEO, CGO, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Co-Founder, Consultant, CTO, Dean, Director, Director Business Development, Director Strategic Partnerships, Director UK Higher Education, Director, Digital Credentials Research & Innovation, Education Designer, Micro-Credentialing, Education Futures Architect, Employment Counselor, Entrepeneur, Founder, Geschäftsführer / Managing Director, Global Head PersCertification, Head of Issuing Authorities, Head of Marketing, Head of Online Learning Innovation, Head of Online learning Student Experience, Head of Platform & Blockchain Development, Head of Product, Instructor, Lead Engineer, Learning Specialist, Manager, Digital Authentication, Managing Director, Network Facilitator/Senior Scholar, Partnerships & Projects, PM, Policy Advisor, President, Product Manager Verifiable Credentials, Professor, Professor, Dr., project coordinator, Project Lead, Project Manager, Provost, Research Professor and co-director, PSCWP, Researcher and project manager, Sales consultant, Senior Account Director, Senior Desk Officer Digital Credentials, Senior Director, Senior Project Manager, Sr. Director, Sr. Staff Development and Learning Assistant, Team Leader Testing, Teamleader, Vice President of Partnerships, VP, Workforce Intelligence & Credential Integrity
The venue
The ICoBC Symposium 2025 takes place at the Atrium Tower, Berlin.
