PAASCU Explores Quality Assurance for Micro-Credentials

PAASCU held a one-day seminar on “Understanding and Quality Assuring Micro-Credentials: A PAASCU Perspective” on June 15, 2026, at Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City, with members of the Board, Commissions, accreditors, and the Secretariat in attendance. The activity forms part of PAASCU’s efforts to keep its quality assurance framework responsive to new types of credentials while supporting member institutions as they innovate in learning provision.

In his welcome remarks, PAASCU President Br. Bernie S. Oca, FSC, underscored the strategic importance of engaging with micro-credentials in a manner consistent with PAASCU’s mission and mandate. He emphasized that as institutions experiment with micro-credential offerings, PAASCU must be ready to guide them in ways that uphold quality, relevance, and academic integrity.

Convened by the PAASCU Secretariat and approved by the Board, the seminar was facilitated by Professor Anca Greere, an international quality assurance expert. It focused on clarifying what micro-credentials are, how they differ from short courses and traditional qualifications, and the opportunities and risks they pose for learners, providers, employers, and quality assurance bodies. Drawing on international practice, Professor Greere shared how micro-credentials can be designed, assessed, and quality assured to support coherent learning pathways and trustworthy recognition.

Participants also examined how PAASCU’s existing standards on outcomes, curriculum and program design, teaching and learning, assessment, learner support, governance, and internal quality assurance might apply to micro-credential offerings. The discussions identified possible next steps for PAASCU, including the development of guidance notes, clarification of minimum institutional requirements, and consideration of pilot review arrangements, as the association shapes a coherent and context-sensitive approach to the quality assurance of micro-credentials.