HEC advances Work on Stackable Micro-Credentials for Pathways

A Workshop on Mauritius’ Micro-Credentials Stackability Framework, organised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), opened today at The Docks in Port Louis, with the participation of the Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr Kaviraj Sukon; the Chairperson of HEC, Dr Ashveen Kumar Kissoonah; the Commissioner of HEC, Professor (Dr) Romeela Mohee; and representatives of higher education institutions, industry partners, professional bodies and Government stakeholders.

Held under the theme “From Micro-Credentials to Pathways”, the two-day workshop marks a further step in Mauritius’ efforts to establish a coherent, quality-assured and nationally recognised micro-credentials ecosystem. The proposed Stackability Framework seeks to enable learners to accumulate learning, transfer credits, gain advanced standing, move between providers and use recognised micro-credentials towards larger qualifications.

In his address, Minister Sukon underlined the importance of establishing a proper framework for micro-credentials under the Higher Education Act. He highlighted the need to provide opportunities for people to acquire relevant skills and competencies over shorter periods, noting that micro-credentials can offer flexible pathways for individuals to develop specialised skills and obtain recognised certification without necessarily undertaking lengthy traditional programmes.

The Minister emphasised that the definition of micro-credentials must be clearly established to ensure that individuals who successfully complete such programmes can formally obtain certification. He also underpinned the importance of allowing learners to select micro-credentials according to their interests, needs and career aspirations, with the possibility of accumulating them towards a qualification or degree.

Dr Sukon called for collaboration among higher education institutions and other stakeholders to establish a credible and transparent system that responds to the needs of learners, employers and the economy.

For his part, Dr Kissoonah stated that a well-defined stacking system could provide learners with reliable pathways. He highlighted HEC’s role in enabling quality, mobility, recognition, and integrity within the higher education system.

As for Professor (Dr) Mohee, she outlined the progress made in developing the national micro-credentials ecosystem. She also highlighted the sector’s response, noting that micro-credentials submitted through the HEC platform include Applied AI Automation for Banking Professionals from Middlesex University; Prevention of Medication Errors and Use of Communication Tools in Nursing from Polytechnics Mauritius; Mastering Clinical Skills in Neonatal and Perinatal Care from the Mauritius Institute of Health; as well as postgraduate-level micro-credentials in accounting and finance management, project management and supply chain management developed by the University of London.

The workshop will enable stakeholders to test the proposed framework against the realities of implementation. Higher education institutions will work in clusters to examine what can be accommodated within existing systems, identify areas requiring institutional or policy changes, and consider practical barriers to implementation.

The initiative forms part of the National Strategy for Higher Education, Science and Research 2025–2035, which promotes flexible and learner-centred pathways while maintaining quality, coherence and academic standards.

24 September 2026

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Topics: Education