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Microcredentials-as-a-Service - fully managed digital certification

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The project management is responsible for the content of the information provided.

Project data

  • Project no: GRS-083/24 
  • Amount of funding: CHF 23'000 
  • Approved: 07.01.2025 
  • Duration: 03.2025 - 07.2025 
  • Area of activity:  First Ventures, seit 2018

Project management

Project description

The project focuses on addressing the challenges of traditional credentialing systems, which are often outdated, prone to forgery, and lack portability. These limitations create significant barriers for students and professionals
who need to demonstrate their qualifications in a globally connected world. Existing digital credentialing solutions primarily target professional skills-based certifications, leaving a gap for standards-based certifications
tailored to curricula and formal educational programs.
To bridge this gap, the project aims to offer a comprehensive Microcredentials-as-a-Service platform. Built on the foundation of the open-source software d-gree, this solution will enable educational institutions, corporate training centers, and informal learning organizations to efficiently issue and manage micro-credentials. The platform will provide a seamless, user-friendly self-service web portal designed to simplify credential management while ensuring compliance with Switzerland’s micro-credential regulations and data structures.
This innovative approach leverages servitization by adopting a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. The payper-certificate pricing scheme ensures scalability and affordability for organizations of all sizes. By focusing on accessibility, security, and compliance, the project delivers a solution that rivals existing systems while addressing the specific needs of educational institutions and training providers.
The anticipated implementation includes an operational SaaS platform with the capacity to support multiple institutions, delivering reliable and efficient credentialing services. The impact of this project lies in its potential to modernize credentialing practices, fostering global recognition of achievements and supporting lifelong learning in a digitally connected world.

Status/Results

The project is scheduled to begin in March 2025, with well-defined objectives and milestones aimed at creating a robust Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for microcredential issuance and management.

Initial Development and SaaSification:
- Establishing the technical foundation for a self-service web portal (SaaS model) integrated with the existing d-gree software, including edu-id authentication to allow for adoption among Swiss HEIs
- Ensuring compliance with Switzerland's microcredential regulations and interoperability with existing educational systems.

Scalability and Outreach:
- Preparing the platform for broader adoption by other educational institutions, corporate training centers, and language schools.
- Conducting market analysis to identify target audiences, refine the value proposition, and develop an effective go-to-market strategy.
- Developing strategic partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability and market relevance.

The project addresses a critical gap in the credentialing landscape by introducing an innovative and scalable Microcredentials-as-a-Service platform. While no interim products or results exist yet, the project lays the groundwork for a fully operational SaaS solution, with the potential to evolve into a spin-off/start-up.

Links

Persons involved in the project

Mehmet Cihan Sakman, Project Leader, Technology Developer
Sepideh Shamsizadeh, Network Development and Outreach
Pham Lac Viet Ha, Business Analyst
Dr.-Ing habil. Josef Spillner, Mentor

Last update to this project presentation  14.02.2025