Integrated RPL & APEL Level 6 Accredited Online Programme for Entrepreneurs Erasmus Project

Project Title

Integrated RPL & APEL Level 6 Accredited Online Programme for Entrepreneurs

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Cooperation between educational institutions and business; Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits)

Project Summary

Entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of economic growth and job creation as it creates new companies and jobs, opens up new markets, and nurtures new skills and capabilities. The level of entrepreneurship and its nature varies widely between the Member States, and the reasons for low enthusiasm for an entrepreneurial career are therefore diverse. Some Member States with higher levels of entrepreneurship are less successful than others at helping new and small enterprises to grow. A report by the European Commission (Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan) highlights that generally, would-be entrepreneurs in Europe find themselves in a tough environment as current education might not offer the right foundation for an entrepreneurial career.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (VPL) is the process where credit is sought for learning which has not previously been assessed and awarded credit by an academic institution or professional organisation. It is learning which has taken place through a range of personal experiences often including unstructured informal and formal learning experiences. In many fields, the skills, knowledge and abilities that are acquired through this type of learning can be just as relevant as those gained by students following formal accredited educational programmes. VPL is a way to provide evidence and gain credit for relevant experiential learning. This is particularly relevant in the field of entrepreneurship. An applicant with years of entrepreneurial experience could probably follow a Masters programme in Entrepreneurship more easily that an applicant who is in possession of a first degree but without any exposure to business-related subjects.

The scope of the project is to leverage the infrastructure and competencies of the partners in e-learning and the collective expertise and resources of the partners in creating a programme which would encourage entrepreneurs to pursue studies at Level 7. The programme would provide a structured manner in which VPL and RPL frameworks can be integrated with innovative online coursework including game-based learning to enable participants to earn the required 180 ECTS credits at Level 6.

This project will include the recruitment of suitable candidates to the proposed RPL&VPL4Entrep Pilot Programme which will be run over a twelve-month period. Their progress on this programme will be carefully analysed to check for any system modifications which may be required to ensure the effectiveness of the RPL&VPL4Entrep Programme. A three month period for post programme evaluations and reporting is included as an integral part of the implementation process.

In view of the current Covid-19 crisis, the project is timely since it focuses on the online provision of the complete review, evaluation and delivery of related course content. The legacy of Covid-19 will certainly be a greater appreciation of the value of online services and this project will provide an online solution to experienced entrepreneurs to get recognition for their academic and experiential entrepreneurial accomplishments. The Covid-19 crisis has put unprecedented stresses and strains on the European Union and global trade in general. Already, unemployment estimates by EU entities show higher numbers than experienced in the 2008 financial crisis. There is going to be a need for entrepreneurs to re-build a decimated SME sector and this project will help prepare these entrepreneurs for this challenge by aligning their competences and qualifications.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 445939 Eur

Project Coordinator

AEA LTD & Country: MT

Project Partners

• PANEPISTIMIO IOANNINON
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI BARI ALDO MORO
• EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES CONTINUING EDUCATION NETWORK
• ZILINSKA UNIVERZITA V ZILINE
• AllSecure Ltd
• VILNIAUS UNIVERSITETAS