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MICRO4ASIA Project Officially Launches with a Successful Kick-Off Meeting

IhfEurope

The MICRO4ASIA project was officially launched with a successful two-day kick-off meeting held on March 13-14, 2025, at Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. The meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative effort among 10 partner institutions to modernize and enhance quality and international cooperation in higher education in Vietnam and Laos.

MICRO4ASIA, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission (Capacity Building in Higher Education) brings together institutions from Europe and Southeast Asia, including:

  • Masaryk University (Czech Republic)
  • University of Siena (Italy)
  • University of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
  • Institut de Haute Formation aux Politiques Communautaires (Belgium)
  • National Economics University (Vietnam)
  • Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
  • National University of Laos (Laos)
  • Laos Banking Institute (Laos)
  • Champassak University (Laos)
  • University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

During the kick-off meeting, project partners engaged in a productive discussion on key project topics, with a particular focus on micro-credentials. A highlight was the presentation by Mgr. Tomáš Chaloupka from Masaryk University, which explored the national framework for micro-credentials in the Czech Republic and its implementation at the university. This session provided a valuable opportunity for sharing best practices, deepening understanding, and fostering meaningful exchanges between Asian and European partners in the field of micro-credentials.

The meeting also covered the project’s overall objectives, expected outcomes, and key activities. Partners reviewed methodologies, implementation plans, and strategies for achieving milestones, and worked together to define roles, set targets, and ensure effective coordination. Networking sessions further strengthened partnerships and laid the foundation for a clear action plan for the next steps in the project.

Objectives of the MICRO4ASIA Project

MICRO4ASIA is designed to achieve three main objectives:

  1. Upgrading the Higher Education System in Vietnam and Laos – By transferring methodologies for developing course-based micro-credentials using European standards as a reference.
  • Enhancing International Academic Alignment – By developing a common recognition mechanism for micro-credentials, fostering academic alignment both regionally (Southeast Asia) and transnationally (Europe-South Asia).
  • Strengthening the Connection Between Higher Education and Employers – By co-developing micro-credentials that enhance learners’ responsiveness to labor market demands, promoting sustainable growth in partner countries.

The project consists of six main work packages (WPs):

  • WP1: Project implementation and management across all partner institutions.
  • WP2: Capacity building and resource development for micro-credentials.
  • WP3: Development, piloting, and recognition of micro-credentials for at least 500 students.
  • WP4: Establishment of the Micro-Credential Recognition Mechanism (CRM) with defined standards and indicators.
  • WP5: Ensuring project quality through a comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) plan.
  • WP6: Dissemination of project progress and outcomes through various communication channels.

The MICRO4ASIA project represents a significant step towards modernizing higher education in Vietnam and Laos, bridging the gap between academia and industry, and fostering international collaboration.

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