Symposium 2023 on 21/11/2023

Connecting the Dots

The 2023 ICoBC Symposium will provide a platform for sharing research, best practices, case studies and insights from various perspectives and sectors. We will also facilitate networking and collaboration opportunities among participants who share a common interest in advancing the field of open badges and micro-credentials. Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, policy maker, educator, employer or learner, we welcome you to join us in this exciting event and contribute to the dialogue on connecting the dots.

At the 2023 Symposium, we will discuss how to:

• Elaborate the concept and benefits of a holistic view on the value of open badges and micro-credentials for different stakeholders in the ecosystem of employment, education and learning.
• Identify and analyze the challenges and opportunities for connecting the dots between different sectors and industries that use or could use open badges and micro-credentials as a way of recognition and assessment of skills and competencies.
• Apply innovative and creative strategies to design, implement and evaluate open badges and micro-credentials initiatives that address the needs and expectations of individuals, employers, employees, associations, education providers and training agencies.
• Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to the diverse perspectives and experiences of various actors in the open badges and micro-credentials ecosystem, and foster collaboration and communication among them.
• Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of open badges and micro-credentials initiatives on personal, professional and social development.

Program

Time	Activity
9:30am – 10:00am	Registration and welcome coffee
10:00am – 10:15am	Opening remarks by Armin Hopp, Founder of Speexx and President of the International Council on Badges and Credentials (ICoBC)
10:15am – 11:00am	Keynote speech: Connecting the dots: A holistic view on the value of open badges and micro-credentials Stuart Martin, Founder at George Angus Consulting In this keynote speech, Stuart Martin, a renowned expert in micro- and digital- credentialing, will share his insights on how open badges and micro-credentials can enhance the value of education and industry capability. Drawing from his extensive experience working around the world, as well as being a representative for the Global Apprenticeship Network, he will present a holistic view on the benefits, challenges and opportunities of implementing micro, and digital credentialing solutions across different sectors and regions. He will also showcase some of the innovative projects he has led or contributed to, such as undertaking research into the value of credentials, designing assessment and moderation systems, and creating digital badges for various disciplines. Whether you are an educator, a learning platform provider, an employer, a learner or a policy maker, you will find this keynote speech informative, engaging and inspiring.
11:00am – 11:15am	Break
11:15am – 12:00pm	Session A: How open badges and micro-credentials can support learners’ access, progress and transition in their learning and career pathways Facilitator: Dominic Orr, atingi This session will explore how open badges and micro-credentials can empower learners to showcase their skills, achievements and interests in a digital and portable way. The session will highlight the perspective of the learner, who can benefit from the flexibility, recognition and motivation that open badges and micro-credentials provide. There will be a specific emphasize on inclusion and diversity of the learners. Input Presentation 1: The Power of Digital Credentials: Breaking Down Barriers and Fostering Equal Opportunity by Kim Steenkjær Mortensen, Co-Founder at Diplomasafe In this presentation, Kim, co-founder of Diplomasafe, shares his passion for the intersection of technology, education, and social impact. He firmly believes that digital credentials are a powerful catalyst for breaking down barriers and fostering equal opportunity. Kim explains how digital credentials promote accessibility, merit-based recognition, lifelong learning, inclusivity, and global reach. He also highlights the potential of digital credentials to create a more equitable and inclusive future. Input Presentation 2: Empowering the global workforce in their non-linear Career Pathways with Open Badges, Verifiable Credentials, Verified Skills and Verified IDs at LinkedIn, Rolf Reinhardt, Senior Account Director at LinkedIn In this presentation, Rolf Reinhardt, a Senior Account Director at LinkedIn, will share how LinkedIn enables to leverage Open Badges, Verifiable Credentials, Verified Skills and Verified IDs to empower the global workforce in their non-linear career pathways. He will explain how these technologies can help professionals showcase their achievements, skills and identities in a trusted and verifiable way, and how they can benefit employers, educators and learners in the changing world of work.
12:00pm – 1:00pm	Lunch
1:00pm – 2:00pm	Session B: How employers, associations, education providers and training agencies can benefit from innovative ways of recognizing and validating competencies and achievements Facilitator: Dr. Sabine Zander, imc Session B will explore how different stakeholders can leverage the potential of digital credentials to recognize and validate the skills and achievements of their employees, members, learners and clients. By attending this session, you will learn about the benefits, challenges and best practices of implementing digital credentialing initiatives on the example of employers, associations, education providers and training agencies such as to enhance their reputation, increase their visibility, streamline their processes and foster trust and collaboration with their target audiences. Input Presentation 1: Open Badges for Language Learning: A Case Study from FAO by Irina Melnikova, L&D at FAO In this presentation, Irina Melnikova will share her experience of using Open Badges to recognize and motivate language learning at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). She will explain what Open Badges are, how they can be used to support language learning goals, and what benefits they bring to learners and organizations. She will also showcase some examples of badges that have been created and issued at FAO, and discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing this innovative approach to language learning. Input Presentation 2: A Skill Directory for High Energy Intensive Industries by Jorge Muract, Director at steeluniversity Jorge Muract, the Director of the steeluniversity, will give an input session on the context of two 4 years European projects, European Steel Skill Alliance (ESSA) and SPIRE-SAIS, that he was involved in. These projects aimed to develop a Skill Directory for High Energy Intensive Industries that are connected with ESCO, the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations framework. The Skill Directory describes skills in terms of Learning Outcomes that are aligned with the European Qualification Framework to be compatible with Europass, the online platform that helps people communicate their skills, qualifications and experiences. Jorge Muract will explain the methodology and the platform that were developed to manage and integrate the Skill Directory into different organizations sizes. He will also share some insights and challenges that emerged from the projects and how they can be addressed in the future.
2:00pm – 2:15pm	Break
2:15pm – 3:15pm	Session C How to ensure the quality, interoperability and trustworthiness of open badges and micro-credentials in a global and dynamic market Facilitator: Dr. Jan Renz, Dataport Session C will explore the challenges and opportunities of validating open badges and micro-credentials in a rapidly evolving and diverse market. The speakers will share their insights and best practices on how to ensure the quality, interoperability and trustworthiness of these digital credentials from the perspective of the verifyer. The session will also discuss the current and future trends, standards and policies that affect the recognition and acceptance of open badges and micro-credentials across different sectors and regions. Input Presentation 1: Pioneering Credential Paths: Strategies for Successful Implementation and Recognition of Micro-Credentials by Andreas Wittke, Technische Hochschule Lübeck This presentation introduces a novel approach to facilitate the recognition of micro-credentials across different institutions and disciplines. The presenter demonstrates an AI prototype that automates the process of module recognition using natural language processing and vector-based matching. The prototype allows a student to upload or paste a module handbook from another institution and converts it into a structured format that can be compared with the local module database. The prototype then performs a module comparison and returns a result of full, partial or no recognition. The prototype shows the potential of using AI to streamline and standardize the recognition of micro-credentials in the future. Input Presentation 2: Towards Interoperable Self-sovereign Identities by Hakan Yildiz, Accenture The Input Presentation on Towards Interoperable Self-sovereign Identities by Hakan Yildiz, Accenture, is a brief overview of the concept and benefits of self-sovereign identity (SSI), a decentralized and user-centric approach to digital identity management. The presentation explains the main features and challenges of SSI, such as verifiable credentials, decentralized identifiers, and interoperability standards. The presentation also showcases some use cases and applications of SSI in various domains, such as healthcare, education, and finance.
3:15pm – 3:30pm	Break
3:30pm – 4:30pm	Panel discussion: Challenges and opportunities for connecting the dots in the field of open badges and micro-credentials Moderated by Gudrun Porath, neues lernen In a lively and thought-provoking panel discussion, experts in the field of open badges and micro-credentials explore the challenges and opportunities of this rapidly evolving area of education and training. The panelists discuss a wide range of topics, from the role of technology and assessment to the importance of equity and inclusion. They also debate the best ways to ensure that open badges and micro-credentials are recognized and valued by employers, educational institutions, and learners themselves. Throughout the discussion, the panelists share their insights and experiences, offering practical advice and thought-provoking ideas for the future. From the importance of data privacy and security to the potential of emerging technologies, the panelists explored the many facets of this exciting and dynamic field. Andreas Hörfurther, Co-Founder at CommonSense Sue Martin, Board Member at The eAssessment Association Tim Riches, Co-Founder at Navigatr
4:30pm – 5:00pm	Closing remarks by the vice-presidents of the ICoBC Rolf Reinhardt and Jan Muehlig
5:00pm – 6:00pm	Reception
from 6:00pm	Dinner (for invited guests)

Sponsors and Supporters

Become a sponsor

Previous sponsors and supporters include Microsoft, LinkedIn, Speexx, Lightcast / Emsi Burning Glass, CredShare, Credivera 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 takes place at the Stresemannstraße 123, 10963 Berlin