Masaryk University has obtained CZK 312 million for the MUNI 3.2.1 project from the National Recovery Plan. The money was used to modernise teaching methods and improve accessibility to university-level education through micro-certificates. The overall aim was to make MU and other universities better able to respond to the changing needs of society.
The two-year project had three specific objectives: transforming the form and content of higher education, creating new study programmes, and supporting joint university projects focused on the digitisation and verifiability of study credentials.
Revolutionising lifelong learning
One of the most significant transformations enabled by the MUNI 3.2.1 project was the overhaul of Masaryk University’s lifelong learning system.
“Previously, lifelong learning consisted more of preparatory courses for further study, teaching within the University of the Third Age, or commercial alternatives to existing programmes of study. Thanks to our project, however, the faculties have started to consider more carefully how to provide education to the public in a way that will help MU graduates and others perform better in the job market. This has created a system that enables us to provide small-scale courses and respond swiftly to changes and market demands by offering lifelong learning courses designed to expand knowledge and skills,” said Monika Jandová, Vice-Rector for Lifelong Learning, Technology Transfer and Sustainability, who was responsible this part of the project.
The new lifelong learning structure allows for the broader use of the MU Information System’s tools and also simplifies and accelerates the preparation of new courses and ensures the secure handling of personal data. “Thanks to the new system, we can now effectively control the quality of lifelong learning. Its creation has also enabled us to offer courses in one place,” added Vice-Rector Jandová.
Micro-credentials
Micro-credentials have become an integral part of the lifelong learning landscape. Micro-credentials are special vocational training courses that culminate in a verification of knowledge, and graduates are provided with an electronic record to confirm this. A micro-credential is thus a transferable, verifiable and internationally recognised certificate. Twenty-six public universities have been involved in the development of this form of training. MU was responsible for analysing international experience in this field, and its experts created a unique, unified micro-credential verification system.
Courses completed with a micro-credential offer flexible, targeted education that meets European standards. One can preview the micro-credential and verify its validity through a direct link or QR code in the microcertifikat.cz and Europass verification systems.
MU currently offers more micro-credential courses than any other Czech university and it also provides methodological support for preparing and implementing quality lifelong learning programmes. “The challenge for the future is to communicate the benefits of micro-certificate courses more effectively, particularly to the private sector, since not everyone currently understands the concept. “A key step, however, which goes beyond the university’s capabilities, is the creation of a national micro-credential framework, which would define who can issue them and under what conditions, thus ensuring public trust in the whole system,” added Vice-Rector Jandová.
Pandemic lessons for the future
One area in which the project has brought about visible change is distance, online and combined learning. “The need to develop these teaching methods became apparent during the pandemic, when we prepared a number of methodological materials on distance and online learning. This project allowed us to support the faculties in this area, both methodologically and financially, so that they could further develop these teaching methods according to their needs,” said Michal Bulant, Vice-Rector for Studies and Quality. For instance, the project has resulted in the creation of the Faculty of Arts’ first fully-fledged distance learning programme in Information Services Design.
According to the Vice-Rector, the university has also started to intensively address the quality of study materials and resources, especially for combined forms of study where full-time and online elements are used concurrently, and the use of electronic study materials in full-time studies. “The growing popularity of digital learning methods places greater demands on teachers’ and students’ skills, necessitating methodological support, training and innovation in digital resources,” Bulant added.
The MU Information System (IS MU) has also undergone a transformation. The intention is and has been to modify it so that it functions more like a learning management system. “The aim is to modernise the system and make it as user-friendly as possible for teachers and students,” Bulant explained.
New study programmes
The project has also led to the creation of several new study programmes at Masaryk University. Some of them were initiated directly by the government as part of the “progressive fields of study” initiative, for which universities competed directly at the Ministry of Education. New programmes in this category include the Master’s programmes in Applied Health Economics and Virology, as well as the Bachelor’s programme in Data Analytics.
The MUNI 3.2.1 project has also helped to create other career-focused programmes that the University selected internally. New Bachelor’s programmes were opened, including Cosmetic Products, Information Services Design and Physical Training, and the Faculty of Pharmacy was able to develop a Master’s programme in Cosmetology and Cosmetic Products. Additionally, some of the existing programmes were substantially innovated, such as Bioanalytical Laboratory Diagnostics in Medicine and Programming and Development.
Vice-Rector Bulant added that developing new study programmes under the responsibility of individual faculties or university institutes is still an important matter. “However, given the demographic trends and the University’s capacity, it will be necessary in future to consider how to synergise and connect existing programmes rather than create new ones,” he explained.
Digitalisation and security
The project also included investments in information systems and technology. Strengthening computing capacity and providing the necessary equipment to ensure the security of digital learning and administrative tasks associated with the studies was seen as essential.
The security of users in the Microsoft 365 environment has been enhanced, and a cybersecurity audit has been carried out. The Moodle e-learning platform has also been made more secure. Concerning the MU Information System, the security of its connection to other components of the collaborative platform – primarily M365 and MS Teams – has been strengthened.
In the area of digitisation, for example, the ability to convert any student-related decision into a paper or electronic form with the same legal effect has been implemented. Furthermore, the anti-plagiarism system is being continuously developed.
The MUNI 3.2.1 project has received support from the National Recovery Plan, Reg. No. NPO_MUNI_MSMT-16606/2022.