Master Digital Transformation: Microcredential Addresses Digital Skills in Engineering - Machine Design

When Siemens launches its microcredential, “Expedite - Skills for Industry,” in July, learners will want to tap into a curriculum developed by a company that works with more than 90% of the world’s top industrial companies. In principle, this sets the standard and raises expectations. The program has been developed in response to observable changes across “the academic and the industry side of the market,” according to Dora Smith, senior director, Future Workforce and Academic Strategy, Siemens Digital Industries Software.

https://www.machinedesign.com/automation-iiot/video/55298976/siemens-master-digital-transformation-microcredential-addresses-digital-skills-in-engineering

Empowering Learners With Personalized Microcredentials, Stackable Badges - Hope Alvarez, Syracuse

The University is enhancing its commitment to lifelong learning with digital badges, a tool that recognizes and authenticates the completion of microcredentials. The badges aim to support learners in their professional and personal development by showcasing achievements in short, focused learning experiences. Digital badges will be awarded for various microcredential programs offered by the  College of Professional Studies. Learners can earn digital badges in industries regarding business and management, cannabis, health care, IT, project management and much more. These badges signify specific competencies, skillsets and levels of achievement that can be shared across digital platforms, making them easily visible to potential employers. “With the launch of our comprehensive microcredentials catalog, we’re excited to unlock new opportunities and advance professional journeys in high-demand career areas,” says Arthur Thomas, executive director of the Office of Microcredentials.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/07/02/army-creating-new-artificial-intelligence-focused-occupational-specialty-and-officer-field.html

Advantages of Equipping Students With the Leading AI Tools - Carly Walker, EdTech

Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, and those workers will be expected to have at least a basic level of AI literacy when they begin their careers. Those with a more advanced understanding of how to get the most out of an LLM will have an even greater advantage over their peers. The goal then is to educate students on using AI the same way you would teach them to use, say, lab equipment, a paintbrush or a soldering iron — except that AI, unlike a paintbrush, is still evolving. So, while teaching them remains important, making sure you’re doing so using the latest tools, and keeping up with the next evolution, is just as crucial.

https://edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2025/07/advantages-equipping-students-leading-ai-tools

AI Skilling Boom in Poland – Microsoft engages half a million people in developing competencies of the future - Microsoft

More than 20 projects with Polish organizations and thousands of hours of online training materials & activation in offline space – Microsoft has built a comprehensive educational ecosystem that supports the use of artificial intelligence in everyday life and professional work. In six months, as many as 500,000 people in Poland engaged in learning AI. ”Thanks to the cooperation with Partners from across sectors in Poland, we have made AI training accessible to diverse group of audiences, from users, developers and org leaders,” said Łukasz Foks, Director, AI National Skills for Poland, Microsoft.

https://news.microsoft.com/source/emea/2025/07/ai-skilling-boom-in-poland-microsoft-engages-half-a-million-people-in-developing-competencies-of-the-future/?lang=pl

Saudi Arabia puts micro-credentials at the center of a skills-first hiring revolution - Kais Zribi, Economy Middle East

Saudi Arabia is emerging as a leader in this global shift. With 98 percent of employers in the Kingdom adopting skills-based hiring practices, the country is clearly moving away from traditional models. As the region’s largest economy advances its ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 agenda, the need for a workforce that can adapt and contribute across emerging sectors has never been greater. At the heart of this transformation is a powerful enabler: micro-credentials. Micro-credentials are becoming essential in closing the gap between education and employment. These short, targeted programs help learners build in-demand, job-relevant skills in weeks or months, not years. Unlike traditional degrees that can take time to evolve, micro-credentials are designed to stay aligned with the fast-changing industry needs.

https://economymiddleeast.com/news/saudi-arabia-puts-micro-credentials-at-the-center-of-a-skills-first-hiring-revolution/

The University of Barcelona offers a range of more than 200 micro-credentials, flexible and professionally-oriented training courses

The University of Barcelona is launching, from now until May 2026, a total of 208 micro-credentials across a wide range of disciplines, including arts and humanities, sciences, health sciences, social and legal sciences, engineering and architecture. These are short training programmes — of between 25 and 375 hours — and of a professional nature, which anyone can take: people with or without higher education qualifications.

https://web.ub.edu/en/web/actualitat/w/microcredencials

Bosch Community Fund supports Pawley Lean Community Service Internships - Oakland University

The first Oakland University - Pawley Lean Institute Community Service Internship started in the fall of 2019. The program was an innovative partnership between the Pawley Lean Institute and Boston’s Lean Enterprise Institute. The initiative was developed to put “Lean Thinking” into projects at non-profit, community service organizations. This would provide an opportunity for an Oakland University (OU) student to earn money via an internship and strengthen their resume with the completed project. The community service organization would implement a more efficient process through the completed project and any funder to the program would meet its community service outreach vision.

https://oakland.edu/oumagazine/news/SECS/2025/bosch-community-fund-supports-pawley-lean-community-service-internships

Here Are the Odds of Landing a Summer Internship at Goldman Sachs or JPMorgan - Sharin Shibu, Entrepreneur

Goldman Sachs had a 0.7% acceptance rate for its 2025 summer internship, which began last week.

The bank noted that it was “the most competitive” internship application cycle in its history.

The firm is already conducting final interviews for next year’s internship class.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/goldman-sachs-internship-acceptance-harder-than-harvard/493960

Remote Internships for University Students: For College Students in the USA - Michael, the Licking News

Remote Internships for University Students have gained traction, as they bring opportunities for students who want to gain work experience while not being tied to a specific location. The concept of working from anywhere seems to be a smart move, as it balances academics and career growth. On the ground level, Remote Internships for University Students seem to be a viable situation because they bring flexibility, industry exposure and more. But from a deeper perspective, it also raises some significant questions about whether it should really help a student or just be a trend.

https://www.thelickingnews.com/remote-internships-for-university-students/

Brandeis University's Hornstein Program offers full scholarships to recently laid-off federal workers - Brandeis University

In response to the wave of recent federal layoffs, Brandeis University’s Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program will offer a limited number of full-tuition scholarships to eligible former federal employees and contractors. The initiative, which is available to candidates for the fall 2025 semester who wish to pursue a master’s degree within the Hornstein program, is designed to support talented professionals seeking to develop careers in Jewish nonprofit and communal sectors. Through this scholarship, applicants can choose to pair their Hornstein degree with a Master of Public Administration (MPP) or Master of Business Administration (MBA), pathways that provide them with the fundraising, strategy and human-resources skills they need to make successful career transitions into the Jewish communal sector. “These scholarships reflect our deep respect for individuals who have dedicated their careers to the public good,” said Liora Norwich, director of the Hornstein Program. “We are proud to offer this opportunity to build new leadership pathways for those who wish to now serve the Jewish community.”

https://www.brandeis.edu/stories/2025/may/of-note/hornstein-scholarship-federal-workers.html

Morgan State University Awarded State Grant to Train Displaced Federal Workers as Certified Teachers - Morgan State U

In a forward-looking response to Maryland’s urgent call to strengthen its educator workforce, Morgan State University is launching a transformative initiative that provides displaced federal workers with a streamlined pathway into the teaching profession. Backed by a $100,000 Teacher Quality and Diversity Grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), Morgan’s new Transitioning to Teaching: A Strategic Response to Both the Diverse Teacher Shortage and Employment Crisis in Maryland program provides strategic innovation and impact that answer the state’s dual challenge of teacher shortages and employment displacement. The grant is part of Gov. Wes Moore’s $1-million statewide effort to help Marylanders — especially those displaced by recent federal layoffs — transition into new, stable careers in education. Morgan was among 11 institutions selected to receive funding to develop targeted retraining and licensure programs.

https://www.morgan.edu/news/morgan-awarded-grant-to-train-displaced-federal-workers

Cybersecurity Company Launches In-House 'University' Training Program -Patrick Kennedy, Star Tribune

Struggling to find enough qualified professionals in the field, the Minneapolis-based NetSpi started "NetSpi University," which pays for six months of training for new employees who lack experience. As cyber threats increase, companies need more protection to keep pace. Cyber crime losses exceeded $16 billion in 2024, a 33 percent increase over the prior year, according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Minneapolis-based NetSpi specializes in proactive security by building up a company’s cyber protections and testing those systems rather than taking a reactive approach.

https://www.govtech.com/education/higher-ed/cybersecurity-company-launches-in-house-university-training-program

Lincoln University pilots one-year Employment Academy certificate Katie Grawitch, KBIA

Lincoln University is collaborating with the Missouri Department of Social Services on a pilot program for its Employment Academy, a one-year certificate program that combines credit-bearing online coursework with internship opportunities across Missouri. The inaugural spring semester of the program saw 11 students taking online courses across five “cohorts” or concentrations, including cybersecurity, direct care, office administration, accounting and administrative associate. After completing two eight-week online sessions, students with a 2.5 GPA or higher are eligible to complete a paid internship program during their second semester. 

https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/lincoln-university-pilots-one-year-employment-academy-certificate/article_ea838dc5-0e05-41b8-a187-798a3361095c.html

Transforming your university into a forward-facing, future-ready institution. - Steven Mintz, Inside Higher Ed

In today’s fast-paced market, traditional degree programs are increasingly seen as too rigid or broad to meet the demands of employers and learners alike. Universities are addressing this gap by experimenting with microcredentials, modular certificates and digital badges that target specific skills and competencies. These focused learning modules can be stacked over time, allowing students to build up a portfolio of verified skills that complement their larger degree programs. This model offers flexible and affordable pathways for career advancement, enabling learners to update their expertise in areas like digital literacy, data analysis or emerging fields such as artificial intelligence.

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/columns/higher-ed-gamma/2025/06/27/transforming-your-university-forward-facing-institution

Who are AI leaders in Africa’s expanding digital ecosystem? - Maina Waruru, University World News

According to Coursera’s 2025 Global Skills Report, South Africa is the most artificial intelligence (AI)-advanced country in Africa and 61st in the world. Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco are in positions 68, 78 and 80, respectively. Other African countries making it to the top 100 globally include Ghana, Rwanda, Botswana, Egypt, Zambia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda and Cameroon. The report covers data collected from 109 countries, representing 56% of the world’s recognised sovereign states. A new feature in the report is the AI Maturity Index, a comparative analysis of global readiness that assesses progress in AI learning, research and innovation. The micro-credentials education company ranked South Africa, Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco as ‘emerging’ in AI-readiness and the rest of the continent, alongside numerous countries in Asia and Latin America, as ‘lagging’.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=202506231127283

Samaritan’s Feet Offers Transformational Internship Opportunities for College Students - CIAA

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is proud to share three dynamic internship opportunities now available through Samaritan’s Feet International, an organization dedicated to creating a world with zero shoeless children. These internships provide meaningful, hands-on experience for undergraduate and graduate students seeking to make a global impact through nonprofit service and leadership. Samaritan’s Feet is a humanitarian aid organization that serves and inspires hope by providing shoes to those in need around the world. With the belief that a new pair of shoes can be a foundation for a better life, the organization has distributed millions of pairs of shoes to children in over 100 countries.

https://theciaa.com/news/2025/6/25/about-the-ciaa-samaritans-feet-offers-transformational-internship-opportunities-for-college-students.aspx

UW-Whitewater Continues Support of Workforce Needs - Kari Borne, UWW

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been awarded funds for the development of three microcredentials designed to meet regional workforce needs. The grants provided by the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA) are part of the organization’s Microcredential Project, which targets individuals seeking employment or upskilling in high-demand fields. “For decades, the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education has offered professional development programs in areas like teacher education and counseling, and with these microcredentials, we will now be able to meet growing workforce needs by fast-tracking people into high-demand careers,” says Matt Vick, dean.

https://www.uww.edu/ce/uw-whitewatersupportsworkforceneeds

How Microcredentials Are Revolutionizing the Higher-Education Business Model - Kristin D. Hultquist, Stephanie M. Murphy, Manhattan Institute

One notable external force causing internal change is the growing influence of “microcredentials.”[1] These shorter-term credentials are integrating into traditional degree pathways, and trustees of public colleges and universities should examine the role of these credentials in the baccalaureate programs of their institutions. Shorter-term credentials can provide substantial benefits for public four-year institutions, including improved return on investment on baccalaureate degrees, better alignment of skills with market demands, increased transparency, and greater responsiveness to labor-market changes. These benefits are most likely to be realized when a validated market analysis is conducted, clearly identifying the competencies needed from today’s students.

https://manhattan.institute/article/how-microcredentials-are-revolutionizing-the-higher-education-business-model

A regional framework for microcredentials is on its way - UNESCO

A recent study by the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO IESALC) underscores that microcredentials are not merely a complement to traditional education but a strategic necessity for the region’s future. The study, Mapping Microcredentials in Latin America and the Caribbean: Towards a common framework, offers targeted recommendations for policy-makers and providers, laying the groundwork for a regional framework of minimum standards on microcredentials.

https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/en/articles/regional-framework-microcredentials-its-way-university-world-news

Why upskilling in AI and cybersecurity is crucial for today’s digital-first workforce - Bhavna Dubey, Times of India

From banking and healthcare to retail and logistics, digital transformation has reshaped nearly every sector in the last decade. But with this surge in automation, data storage, and cloud-based services comes an urgent parallel concern: cybersecurity. Organisations today are not just looking to innovate; they’re also trying to defend. And that’s where professionals with hybrid expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity are increasingly stepping in.The modern professional, whether from a technical, managerial, or operations background, is no longer expected to oversee workflows. They're now required to understand algorithmic decisions, evaluate risks, and ensure system integrity, all while driving digital value for their organisations.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spotlight/why-upskilling-in-ai-and-cybersecurity-is-crucial-for-todays-digital-first-workforce/articleshow/121969663.cms

Building a Quality Microcredential Program: SUNY’s Microcredential Story - SUNY

SUNY’s policy-driven approach to microcredentials centers on faculty innovation, academic quality, partnerships with industry, stackable pathways to degrees, and portability to ensure value beyond the issuing institution. In a competitive environment where so many companies, universities and organizations are offering short-term credentials, SUNY has encouraged a niche for higher education that is responsive to regional and state needs and that leverages the power of student/faculty interaction, student supports, career and academic guidance. SUNY microcredentials: 1) provide the skills, knowledge, and experience to allow the learner to obtain a job or advance in a job; and 2) wherever possible, provide a pathway to additional credentials, including an initial or advanced degree..

https://www.suny.edu/microcredentials/build-a-program/