Empowering Digital Learning: UMPSA’s Synergy in EdTech Initiatives for Micro-Credential Content Development

KUANTAN, 6 July 2023 - When push comes to shove, humans adapt. In today’s digital age, where online education is pertinent, initiatives to provide exceptional digital content and enhance the overall learning experience stand out as a testament to Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah’s unwavering commitment to achieving UMPSA25 strategic planning.

Through Micro-Credential (MC), UMPSA’s digital learning aims to increase productivity and intelligent technology in academic management based on an educational approach ‘beyond campuses’ and ‘beyond borders’. 

It is also included in the digital transformation initiative of developing the UMPSA Learning Management System platform that offers online courses to students, the local community and abroad.

In upholding the strategy, the collaborative synergy between the Centre for Instructional Resources and e-Learning (CIReL), UMP Advanced Education and the Centre for Modern Languages (CML)’s dedicated module developers is set to transform the language and linguistics courses at UMPSA, lighting a brighter student future, especially for postgraduate candidates or keen individuals who inspire to pursue their studies at the institution.

From 4 to 6 July 2023, the enchanting landscapes of Holiday Villa Cherating set the stage for a captivating journey as the e-Learning Unit at CML hosted an immersive workshop and meeting entitled Bengkel dan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Penggubalan Kandungan Digital untuk Micro-Credential (MC) Kursus-kursus Akademik Prasiswazah Pusat Bahasa Moden.

The initiative is to facilitate MC digital content development for selected CML courses.

Twenty-one subject matter experts (SMEs) from the Department of English Language were actively involved in developing four Linguistics Strand courses, i.e., Phonetics and Phonology, Semantics, Morphology and Syntax.

The team received tireless onsite technical support from CIReL physically (onsite) and UMP Advanced Director, Dr. Ahmad Johari Mohamad, online to assist in setting up the Integrated Learning Management System for Universality (ILMU), the official UMPSA online learning platform for outside communities.

This collaboration marked a significant step for CML in showcasing its academic courses to the international online learning arena.

The first two days of the workshop were dedicated to intensive meetings and workshops where module developers engaged in discussions and practical exercises.

The crux of the event was the production of high-quality learning materials – the original content videos.

The workshop benefitted from the presence of CML’s technical staff, who provided essential equipment such as cameras, green screens, and teleprompters to ensure the creation of top-notch educational videos.

On the concluding day of the event, the module developers presented and reported their progress to Dr. Nor Yazi Khamis, the CML e-learning Coordinator overseeing the initiative.

On behalf of the CML Management team, she extended the management’s appreciation and support to the module developers’ commitment and dedication to advancing CML and UMPSA’s digital learning ecosystem.

The workshop’s closing featured words of inspiration by the Dean of CML, Associate Professor Dr. Nik Aloesnita Nik Mohd Alwi.

The dean congratulated the module developers on their outstanding commitment and perseverance.
She expressed her unwavering enthusiasm for the impending launch of the micro-credential modules and encouraged all participants to expedite their work for the official introduction scheduled for October 2023.

For UMPSA25, CML deems UMPSA does not cease only to embrace the ever-expanding EdTech but stands to empower today’s digital learning giants through quality Micro-Credential.

By: Amy Zulaikha Mohd Ali and Abdul Jalil Abdul Rahim, Centre for Modern Languages