Stakeholders convene to refine the mechanisms for approval and recognition of micro‑credentials

A workshop focusing on the approval and recognition of Micro‑Credentials, organised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), kickstarted this morning, in Ebène. It aims to refine the mechanisms for approval and recognition of micro‑credentials, strengthen sector readiness, and advance Mauritius’ positioning as a regional knowledge hub.

The event brought together representatives from the industry, higher education institutions, ministries, regulatory bodies, and international experts to discuss the standards, approval, and recognition processes for micro‑credentials in Mauritius.

The Participation in Tertiary Education 2024 and Snapshot of the Participation in Tertiary Education were also launched in presence of the Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, and the Commissioner of HEC, Professor (DR) Romeela Mohee.

In his keynote address, Minister Sukon emphasised that the approval and recognition of micro-credentials is a strategic conversation about the future of higher education, the future of work and of opportunity in Mauritius. He stressed that micro-credentials are a necessity and a response to change, disruption and the urgent need for lifelong learning.

The Minister pointed out that findings by the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025 indicate that by 2030, 59 out of every 100 workers worldwide will need training; 11 may not receive the reskilling they need; and 63% of employers see skills gaps as the main barrier to transformation.

This, he observed, demonstrate that the old model of education is under pressure, calling for the need of a more flexible, responsive and modular higher education. The Minister affirmed that micro-credentials matter now as the age of one qualification for life is making way for continuous and stackable learning.

Minister Sukon highlighted that micro-credentials allow learning to move at the speed of economic change. “For learners that means quicker access to relevant skills, for employers, that means clearer proof of competence and for institutions, that means new ways to widen participation and strengthen impact”, he said. He added that micro-credentials also allow skills to be seen, verified, and recognized and widen the gate of opportunity.

The Commissioner of HEC spoke of the rapidly changing labour markets across the world and how education systems are under increasing pressure to become flexible, responsive, and more closely aligned to the realities of the society and world of work.

Professor (DR) Mohee underlined that micro-credentials can target specific capabilities gaps, respond to employer demand, support reskilling, and upskilling. According to her, their real strengths lie in their flexibility, and become a bridge between learning and work when they are built around clear learning outcomes, robust assessments, transparent credit value and pathways for recognition or progress, they become far more than an additional certificate.

About the workshop

The workshop seeks contribute to refining the proposed mechanisms and processes through stakeholder input on the approval and recognition of Micro-Credentials. It also aims at strengthening the credibility and recognition of micro-credentials in Mauritius.

The insights gathered will help to support the implementation phase, enabling institutions to submit micro-credentials for approval. In the longer term, micro-credentials will contribute to stronger alignment between higher education and industry skills needs, more flexible learning pathways and enhanced national capacity to respond to emerging skills demands.

30 March 2026

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Topics: Education