IMCC 2026 - 1st International Micro-Credentials Congress

Keynote Speakers

Oonagh McGirr

Inaugural Director, WAM Foundation & International Education Consultant

Structural Reform

A global higher education leader specialising in structural reform, TVET workforce development and flexible learning pathways.

Global Advocacy

Inaugural Director of the WAM Foundation, driving global advocacy for qualification unbundling and new approaches to learning recognition.

ILO Consultancy

Expert consultant to the International Labour Organization (ILO), leading country-level research and supporting the development of national frameworks for micro-credential implementation.

System Innovation

Her work focuses on system-level innovation, micro-credential leadership, capability building, policy experimentation and cross-border expertise exchange to strengthen institutional capacity worldwide.

Professor Olgun Çiçek

Senior Researcher, University of Ljubljana (Horizon Europe Microcredentials Project)

International Expertise

An international expert in quality assurance and accreditation, microcredentials, and internationalisation strategies for higher education institutions globally.

Governance & Advisory

Over the past three decades, he has held senior advisory, governance, and external examiner roles across higher education institutions, quality assurance agencies, Ministries and international organisations, including INQAAHE in Spain, CHEA-CIQG in USA, TNE Institute in the UK and various national and regional networks in ten countries and three continents.

Quality & Recognition

His expertise on microcredentials focuses on the quality assurance, recognition and credibility of microcredentials. He delivers keynotes and participates in panels and workshops on microcredentials around the globe.

Association Leadership

Founding member and international coordinator for the Association of Microcredentials in Türkiye.

IMCC 2026 is supported by

Gazi University and Micro-Credentials Association, Türkiye are jointly organising the 1st International Micro-Credentials Congress.

Gazi University

Micro-Credentials Association, Türkiye

An international platform for skills, trust and lifelong learning

The 1st International Micro-Credentials Congress - IMCC 2026 will be held in Ankara on 12-13 October 2026, co-organised by Gazi University and the Micro-Credentials Association, Türkiye.

The Congress is designed as an international platform bringing together universities, public institutions, employers, professional organisations, quality assurance bodies, technology providers, training institutions and policy actors to discuss the future of micro-credentials and their role in education, employment and lifelong learning.

Micro-credentials are rapidly becoming an important instrument for recognising short, focused and measurable learning outcomes. As labour markets evolve, individuals increasingly need flexible ways to demonstrate specific skills, while employers require reliable evidence of competences beyond traditional degrees.

In this context, micro-credentials offer an effective bridge between education and the world of work, supporting upskilling, reskilling, career transitions and more inclusive access to learning opportunities.

IMCC 2026 will address key issues such as quality assurance, recognition, digital credentials, national and international qualification frameworks, employability, skills-based recruitment, higher education innovation, vocational and professional learning, and the role of artificial intelligence in skills assessment and guidance.

Panel Topics

Topics are listed below for information purposes. Panelists will be announced progressively following confirmation of their participation.

Towards a Coherent Micro-Credentials Policy

Micro-credentials can only deliver their full value when they are supported by a coherent policy framework. Without clear principles on quality assurance, recognition, credit transfer, digital certification and institutional responsibilities, micro-credentials may remain fragmented and lose credibility among learners, employers and education providers. This panel will explore how policy alignment can help build trust, support lifelong learning, strengthen employability and ensure that micro-credentials become a meaningful part of national and international qualification systems.

Integrating Micro-Credentials into Learning Processes

Micro-credentials become most effective when they are integrated into structured learning processes. Their value depends on clear learning outcomes, appropriate assessment methods, quality-assured delivery and meaningful links with broader educational pathways. This panel will discuss how universities, vocational institutions and training providers can embed micro-credentials into curricula, continuing education programmes and lifelong learning strategies in a coherent and learner-centred way.

Micro-Credentials and Employability

Micro-credentials have strong potential to improve employability by making specific skills, competencies and learning outcomes more visible to employers. As labour markets change rapidly, individuals need flexible ways to demonstrate upskilling, reskilling and job-relevant capabilities beyond traditional qualifications. This panel will discuss how micro-credentials can support career development, skills-based recruitment, workforce mobility and closer alignment between education and labour market needs.

Congress Calendar

Milestone Date
Congress 12-13 October 2026
Submission of abstracts deadline 06 September 2026
Announcement of accepted abstracts 13 September 2026
Registration 14-25 September 2026
Programme announcement 01 October 2026
Publication of the abstracts booklet 05 October 2026
Publication of the proceedings 15 December 2026

Registration Fees

The congress participation fee is TRY 5,000 for participants from Türkiye and €200 for international participants.

A 50% discount on the participation fee is available for university students and teachers employed by the Ministry of National Education of Türkiye.

Payment Information

TL Payments

Recipient: Mikroyeterlilikler Dernegi

IBAN: TR60 0006 4000 0014 2291 5410 41

EUR Payments

Recipient: Mikroyeterlilikler Derneği

IBAN: TR85 0006 4000 0024 2294 4113 98

Bank name: Türkiye Is Bankasi

SWIFT/BIC: ISBATRISS

Participants who experience any difficulty in completing the transfer are kindly requested to contact the Organising Committee by e-mail at: imcc2026@microcredentials.org

Call for Papers

The Call for Papers for IMCC 2026 is now open. You can submit your abstracts through the Microsoft CMT service. This service is provided for free by Microsoft and they bore all expenses, including costs for Azure cloud services as well as for software development and support.

Submission Scope

The Congress will welcome contributions related to micro-credentials, lifelong learning, employability, digital credentials, skills recognition, quality assurance, education policy, vocational and professional learning, and the use of artificial intelligence in skills assessment and guidance.

Submissions are welcome from all stakeholders (universities, public institutions, employers, professional organisations, quality assurance bodies, technology providers, training institutions and policy actors).

The Congress welcomes submissions in both English and Turkish.

Abstract for Presentations

The abstract should be between 300-500 words, excluding references, and include the following sections:

Problem statement
Purpose, research question(s) and method
Findings and discussions (if applicable)
Conclusion
Keywords

All submitted abstracts will be evaluated by at least two expert reviewers within the framework of a double-blind review process. Acceptance or rejection decisions will be based on the reviewers’ evaluations.

Submit Your Abstract

Committees

Congress Chairs

Prof. Dr. Gürcü Koç – Gazi University
Dr. Ejder Yelken – Micro-Credentials Association

Advisory Board

Prof. Dr. Hasan Tezer
Prof. Dr. Yüksel Kavak
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Balcı
Prof. Dr. Sibel Aksu Yıldırım

Organising Committee

Melih Aral
Dr. Sena Gencan
Dr. Aysun Güneş
Mustafa Karataş
Funda Kurt Keskin
Prof. Dr. Gürcü Koç
Dr. Mete Kurtoğlu
Dr. Ejder Yelken
Dr. Yasemin Yelbay Yılmaz

Scientific Board

Sponsorship Opportunities

For sponsors, IMCC 2026 offers a valuable opportunity to be associated with a forward-looking agenda at the intersection of education, skills, technology and employment.

Sponsorship will provide visibility among decision-makers, academics, training providers, employers and innovation actors who are shaping the future of lifelong learning.

By supporting the Congress, sponsors will contribute to the development of a reliable micro-credential ecosystem that responds to changing skills needs, strengthens collaboration between education and industry, and supports individuals in building future-ready careers.

Download Sponsorship File (PDF)

Contact for Sponsorship and Congress Enquiries

imcc2026@micro-credentials.org

Contact IMCC 2026