Towards an ecosystem for digital credentials: projects and challenges of the University of Turin for Lifelong and Lifewide Learning certifications

Lifelong Learning has become increasingly important over the last few years due to the need to implement and constantly improve one’s competencies and knowledge, in order to adapt to social and professional changes. This made informal and non-formal learning as crucial as formal learning and it has promoted the development of a system of digital certifications complementary to the traditional certifications one. The University of Turin has been testing methodologies and technological innovations for digital transition since 2016 using Bestr, the Italian digital credentialing platform created by CINECA, in order to valorize the competencies acquired in the academic system and connect them with the job market and the employers’ needs. The aim of this article is to delineate the development phases of the various and complementary projects implemented on this matter, which have allowed the IT Systems, Website Management, E-Learning Division to reach in 2023 the necessary IT and teaching expertise, and to realize a project entitled “Bestr Ecosystem for digital credentials at the University of Turin: Open Badge, Blockcerts and Blockchain for lifelong and lifewide learning”