Today, an online follow-up meeting was held regarding the previously organized HERE seminar entitled “Flexibilization of learning and micro-credentials in Higher Education – the role of universities, policy makers, and the business sector”, which took place on May 27-28, 2025, at the initiative of the Montenegrin Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE team), in cooperation with the SPHERE network (composed of OBREAL Global – coordinator, and the European University Association – EUA) and the National Erasmus+ Office in Montenegro. The guest lecturer at this seminar was prof. Bernold Hasenknopf, Senior Advisor for European Commitment – President’s Office, Sorbonne Université.
The aim of this follow-up activity was to familiarize the academic community with the seminar’s conclusions and to prepare concrete recommendations for further work, ensuring the sustainability of the outcomes and results of the HERE seminar. The meeting was attended by relevant representatives of the academic community, a representative of the Agency for Control and Quality Assurance in Higher Education, as well as members of the HERE team.
Following the introductory remarks by Vanja Drljević, Head of the National Erasmus+ Office in Montenegro, who emphasized the importance of organizing such activities to ensure the sustainability of the HERE seminar’s results and outcomes, the participants were addressed by prof. Mira Vukčević from the University of Montenegro, president of the HERE team and initiator of this seminar, who highlighted the significance of the topic. Prof. Dijana Vučković from the University of Montenegro, HERE team member, presented the key conclusions of the seminar, while prof. Biljana Šćepanović from the University of Montenegro and Dragica Anđelić from the University Mediterranean, also members of the HERE team, spoke about the next steps regarding this topic.
It was concluded that continuous efforts are needed to raise public awareness about the importance and necessity of micro-credentials and micro-qualifications in the modern era, as they contribute to equipping individuals, particularly in terms of digital and so-called green skills required by contemporary labor market. It was also concluded that there are numerous doubts and ambiguities regarding micro-qualifications and micro-credentials within the academic community. Therefore, it was agreed that in the coming period, an initiative should be launched by all Montenegrin universities to establish a common approach to this topic.
