Background
The recent global developments have increased the need for managing change. One of the components of this developmental change is the digital transformation of the education sector. To a large extent, digital technologies are redefining the perspective of the society towards learning, particularly the roles of institutions delivering education. Seeking more efficient ways of delivering knowledge and skills, various leading higher education institutions. Learners across the globe now have access to competency-based micro-courses such as MOOCs that help professionals to learn specific skills. Moreover, easy access to digital learning material such as digital books, online tutorials, video courses and various learning websites contribute to the transformation of learning globally. Due to these changes, online learning is being regarded as a valuable way of acquiring skills.
Micro-credentials (MCs) seem to be a natural result of this digital transformation in education as they prove to be an alternative approach to career and professional development. Micro-credentials ensure that an individual’s competencies, skills and accomplishments are recognized within a framework, they are granular in nature and are both employee and employer-driven which makes them a valuable area for exploration also for stakeholders in higher education. They clearly have value in higher education institutions (HEIs) because they inspire connected and lifelong learning for the professional development of students, educators and communities in formal learning settings.
Due to its role in higher education, Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC) would like to conduct a benchmark research and explore micro-credentials as a valuable asset that can help HEIs in their transformation processes as they strive for quality assurance in their institutions. The British Council in Turkey will work with THEQC to conduct this baseline research in order to support quality assurance reform activities. THEQC and the British Council in Turkey would like to learn more about the functioning of micro-credential ecosystems in the UK and Turkey with its strategies, policies, applications and infrastructure in order to assess the value of micro-credentials as a potential credentialing system that could add to the overall quality of HEIs in Turkey.
We are looking for a joint research team to conduct this baseline research on behalf of the British Council in Turkey and Turkish Higher Education Quality Council.
The research will identify the following:
- Evaluation and approval processes of MCs conducted by legal authorities.
- Determining the actors that will provide MCs,
- Determining the education methods that MCs will be delivered with,
- Providing quality assurance of MCs,
- Assessment methods for MCs.
- Certification and transfer/portability of MCs (recognition),
- Integrating MCs into the higher education system at different levels.
Note: For details, please see Request for Proposal (RFP) document.
Who might apply?
- Only joint applications will be accepted (the research team should include one lead researcher from Turkey and one researcher from the UK).
- Must have experience and have taken active role in decision making processes regarding quality assurance in higher education and be familiar with the European Qualifications Framework
- Must be proficient in field-research methodologies
- Must have at least five years of post-doctoral or ten years of higher education experience (academician/specialist/administrator)
- Must have proficiency in English language reading/writing/speaking skills
- Knowledge of and/or experience in delivering MCs is preferred.
Funding: The maximum cost for this procurement is 15,000 GBP. For commercial evaluation please see 13.4 in the Request for Proposal document.
Lead researcher from Turkey must submit:
- Supplier Response (Annex 2) – (Please reply all the parts under Annex 2, and include your research proposal against related part)
- Pricing Approach (Annex 3)
by 8 September 2021, 23:59 UK time
Note: The British Council will not cover any costs beyond the requested budget, including international travel expenses.
Timeline:
Activity |
Date/time |
| RFP issued to bidding suppliers | 11 August 2021 |
| Deadline for clarification questions (Clarification Deadline) | 22 August 2021 |
| British Council to respond to clarification questions | 25 August 2021 |
| Deadline for submission of proposals by potential suppliers (Response Deadline) |
8 September 2021 |
| Final decision | 14 September 2021 |
| Contract concluded with winning supplier | 17 September 2021 |
| Contract start date | 20 September 2021 |
For submitting the application and clarification questions, please contact:
Fuat Uluğ
Education Projects Coordinator
Fuat.Ulug@britishcouncil.org.tr
+90 552 232 58 26
*Please feel free to contact us for your accessibility needs for the application.
**Only successful candidates will be notified.