During the international EPIC conference, attended by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) Strategic Partnership Vice-Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adas Meskenas and the Head of Digital Badge System Development Dr. Ingrida Lescauskiene, the VILNIUS TECH digital badge system received particularly favourable attention from other participants.

This year's EPIC conference on open learning, open recognition technologies and practices focused on reviewing digital badge systems. The experiences were shared by developers, researchers, and business representatives from twelve countries, such as the United States, Australia, France, and more. The University's digital badge system was presented by Dr. I. Lescauskiene, the Head of Digital Badge System Development. The presentation gave a detailed overview of the gamification-based hierarchical badge system initiated a year ago, designed to recognize students' progress in learning as well as additional competencies gained during the university's informal activities. The presentation also discussed the impact of badge system creation and development on social sustainability.

"During the conference, everyone could see that the VILNIUS TECH digital badge system is unique in that it evaluates competencies acquired during informal activities, as opposed to the usual practice in other higher education institutions. As a university, we believe that in order to shape an all-round alumnus we have to not only provide professional knowledge but also offer opportunities to acquire other competencies. It is through the development of skills, community, communication, and leadership competencies that we, as a university, can influence society and digital badge system enables this contribution," said Vice-Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. A. Meskenas.

According to Dr. I. Lescauskiene, digital badges are one of the modern ways to record and validate a person's experience and skills acquired during their course of study. In order to effectively use them for learning recognition, they have to be analysed in university environments.

"It's rewarding to know that VILNIUS TECH is not behind these trends and is seeking for ways to properly recognise essential competencies acquired by students during their informal activities such as teamwork, public speaking, leadership, volunteering, etc.," said Dr. I. Lescauskiene.

The VILNIUS TECH digital badge system is designed to assess and encourage students' participation in informal activities, during which they acquire various competencies essential for the job market and social contribution. More information can be found here.