Broadening the Recognition Ecosystem in VET with Micro-Credentials

This project aims to facilitate the use of the three recent EU developments in the skills recognition and accreditation systems, namely: i) micro-credentials (and specifically open accreditation systems like badges), ii) the multilingual classification of European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) and iii) Europass, the European CV infrastructure The facilitation of accreditation processes takes place by connecting these three recent developments to EURES, the European job market platform. The required middleware to produce digital credentials in the form of badges needs to be developed so the system can automatically connect skills to the Europass CV creation system. It will be much quicker and more efficient to provide an overview of a learners skillset with this proof of recognition in the Europass CV to demonstrate these achievements within the CV and to the marketplace. As partners representing institutions in sectors where skills accreditation is of utmost importance, this development aids the transparency and effectiveness of issuing certifications, beneficial to various stakeholders. Knowing about the use of the created middleware through piloting and testing, the same also enables the reinforcement of career paths because of thevisibility of skills. The BREVET (Broadening the Recognition Ecosystem in VET with Micro-Credentials) project facilitates work processes at various levels by employing a comprehensive and EU-wide language that aids the future workforce to showcase their skillset in the European marketplace and beyond. This allows associated practices and ecosystems to improve their capacities as well, leading to new services and opportunities that are not available or possible with non-digital credentials. This enhanced recognition system will bridge the gap between informal, non-formal and formal recognition, adding value to the entire VET sector and setting an example for other sectors.

Design Science Research Academy

Students and doctoral candidates in Information Systems (IS) are repeatedly confronted with the task of implementing theoretical concepts in practice and evaluating them with users during their studies or doctoral work. In doing so, they often lack the methodological skill set. This is exactly where Design Science Research (DSR) provides support. DSR offers an important paradigm for conducting applicable and rigorous research about real-world design problems. DSR aims to generate prescriptive knowledge about the design of IS artifacts, such as software, methods, models, or concepts. DSR is a promising methodology that intends to generate knowledge on the design of innovative solutions to real-world problems. As such, DSR is specifically useful in contributing to the solution of societally and practically relevant challenges. At the same time, matured methodological foundations are available today, specifically supporting publishing DSR research both at conferences and top-tier journals. DSR has become a permanent teaching component in many undergraduate and Ph.D. programs. The variety of materials, courses, and papers make it difficult to select high-quality materials. Thus, there is a lack of a uniform concept and a DSR curriculum. This is where we want to start with our project and create a well-thought-out DSR curriculum in the form of a “DSR Academy”. This project aims to address these challenges by proposing to build the DSR Academy that will provide high-quality course materials for DSR. The DSR Academy will consist of several modules consisting of three components: (1) interviews with iconic authors from DSR, (2) interactive learning videos for self-assessment, and (3) hands-on DSR projects that enable the transfer of acquired knowledge into practice. Thus, the DSR Academy can be easily integrated into face-to-face classes and represents a unique knowledge collection to accumulate knowledge around DSR and design knowledge generated in DSR projects and make it accessible to others.

Developing Process Mining Capabilities at the Enterprise Level

Digital technologies affect all areas of work. These technologies, whether supporting, substituting, or enhancing human efforts, demand specific skills and competencies from users. Process mining, as a rapidly expanding technology focused on streamlining and enhancing business processes, presents significant opportunities. Recent developments, such as the acquisition of process mining vendor Signavio by SAP for 1 billion Euros and findings from the Global Process Mining Survey by Deloitte (2021), underscore its growing importance. With 63% of survey participants already implementing process mining and 85% of non-adopters planning pilot projects, it is evident that adoption is on the rise. However, despite its potential benefits, there is a lack of understanding on how to effectively adopt, utilize, and manage this technology. Reports indicate instances of misuse or complete discontinuation of use. Therefore, our interest in this project lied in contributing to the support of practitioners and future students in comprehending, assessing, and navigating the implications of process mining. By implementing the project, our aim was to develop process mining capabilities specifically geared towards facilitating its adoption, utilization, and management. Our primary objective was to empower both practitioners and higher education students to embrace the potential of this technology. A pivotal aspect of our endeavor involved conducting a large qualitative study to assess and analyze the needs and expectations of practitioners. Recognizing the relevance of process mining across various organizational settings, our intention was to ensure that our findings remained broadly applicable and readily accessible to all.