Speaker
Description
This conceptual paper examines the role of stackable credentials in addressing the persistent tension between professional commitments and academic advancement within contemporary higher education. Anchored in the context of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), the study explores the implementation of the Stackable Micro-credential MBA programme, designed to support lifelong learning among working professionals, particularly businessmen. The programme adopts a flexible micro-credential structure, offering one micro-credential (MC) per month, thereby enabling participants to accumulate academic credits progressively without disrupting their professional responsibilities. Drawing on the principles of lifelong learning and modular education, this paper conceptualises stackable credentials as a transformative pathway that redefines traditional degree structures into more accessible, learner-centred formats. The analysis highlights how such models align with national higher education agendas and the Malaysian Qualifications Framework, ensuring academic rigour while enhancing flexibility. Furthermore, the paper discusses the implications of this approach for widening participation, fostering continuous professional development, and promoting inclusive education. It argues that stackable credentials represent a strategic innovation in higher education, particularly within emerging economies, by bridging the gap between workplace demands and academic aspirations. The study contributes to the discourse on alternative credentialing systems and their potential to reshape the future of higher education.
