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Certification of ICT skills: a bridge between Universities and Industries

Certification of ICT skills: a bridge between Universities and Industries. N.Scarabottolo – AICA – Italy nello.scarabottolo@unimi.it UNI CTRY ’07 Genzano di Roma – May 26 th 2007. Summary. Introduction Italian University System after Bologna pan-European agreement (1999)

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Certification of ICT skills: a bridge between Universities and Industries

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  1. Certification of ICT skills:a bridge between Universities and Industries N.Scarabottolo – AICA – Italy nello.scarabottolo@unimi.it UNICTRY ’07 Genzano di Roma – May 26th 2007

  2. Summary • Introduction • Italian University System after Bologna pan-European agreement (1999) • The CampusOne project: ECDL in Italian Universities • The IT4PS project: problem oriented usage of ICT tools • The EUCIP4U project: certification for ICT professionals Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  3. ICT certifications • Based on ex ante definition of competence syllabus: • Universities and Industries involved. • Clear separation between training and (third part) assessment. • No self-referentiality risk but no evidence of training differences. • Suitable for: • instrumental competences (English, ICT skills); • vendor-dependent ICT products. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  4. Summary • Introduction • Italian University System after Bologna pan-European agreement (1999) • The CampusOne project: ECDL in Italian Universities • The IT4PS project: problem oriented usage of ICT tools • The EUCIP4U project: certification for ICT professionals Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  5. Universities in Italy • From 2001/02, curricula restructured according to Bologna pan-European agreement: • 3 + 2 + 3 years degree scheme; • ECTS accounting based on 60 CFUs per year; • course names defined by single universities; • each course must belong to a class; • horizontal topics (English, ICT basic skills) compulsory for all courses. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  6. Summary • Introduction • Italian University System after Bologna pan-European agreement (1999) • The CampusOne project: ECDL in Italian Universities • The IT4PS project: problem oriented usage of ICT tools • The EUCIP4U project: certification for ICT professionals Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  7. The CampusOne project • Launched in 2001-2004 by Conference of Italian Universities Rectors (CRUI). • Particular attention to basic skills in computer usage. • Focusing and funding on certification of basic skills to: • avoid self-referencing in assessment of horizontal capabilities; • encourage mobility of students. • Initially, support to the ECDL scheme. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  8. ECDL in universities University students slightly more focused to obtain a certification. START license far more interesting for Universities than for other people Dimensions of the ECDL programme in 2003 Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  9. ECDL growth Sharp increase after the initial setup of the CampusOne project. Number of University licenses over the years Progressive shift towards FULL certification. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  10. ECDL impact At the end of the CampusOne project, a significant amount of new students certified. Percentages of certified freshmen Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  11. Summary • Introduction • Italian University System after Bologna pan-European agreement (1999) • The CampusOne project: ECDL in Italian Universities • The IT4PS project: problem oriented usage of ICT tools • The EUCIP4U project: certification for ICT professionals Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  12. The IT4PS project • Advanced skills in usage of spreadsheets and databases. • Aimed at enhancing problem solving capabilities instead of package knowledge. • Three areas of application: • Economy; • Medicine and pharmacy; • Statistics for social sciences. • Teaching material and books produced. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  13. The IT4PS certification • 1 hour test for solving a real problem – in one of the application areas – with advanced usage of spreadsheet or database. • Result-based vs. solution-based evaluation. • Tested mid 2007 and launched as an Italian certification (AICA). • Final goal: to export IT4PS at the European level through CEPIS. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  14. Summary • Introduction • Italian University System after Bologna pan-European agreement (1999) • The CampusOne project: ECDL in Italian Universities • The IT4PS project: problem oriented usage of ICT tools • The EUCIP4U project: certification for ICT professionals Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  15. EUCIP certification • CEPIS EUropean Certification scheme for Informatics Professionals. • Two levels of certification: • EUCIP core (PLAN, BUILD, OPERATE) • basic knowledge in applied Informatics; • certification based on multiple choice tests. • EUCIP elective (professional profiles) • specific profiles (e.g., network manager, software developer); • tests based on competence portfolios. • Incorporates the IT administrator certification. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  16. IS Manager IS Quality Auditor Enterprise Sol.Cons. Business Analyst Logistics & Autom.C. Sales and Applic. C. Client Services Mgr IS Project Manager IT Systems Architect IS Analyst Web & Multimedia M. Systems Int.&Test.E. Software Developer Database Manager X-Systems Techn. TLC Engineer Network Architect Security Adviser Network Manager Configuration Mgr Help Desk Engineer IT Trainer PROFESSIONALLEVEL ELECTIVE PROFILES VOCATIONAL STRUCTURE Based on the needsof User industry and IT services industry ELECTIVE MODULES Typically 800 hours of study time Mix of vendor and vendor-independent courses and qualifications PLAN The use and management of information systems BUILD Acquisition, development and implementation of information systems CORE LEVEL Typically 400 hours of study time Compulsory for professional level OPERATE Operations and support of information systems SPECIALIST LEVEL IT Administrator Project Support Specialist Call Centre Operator EUCIP scheme EUCIP core. Needs 400 study hours, typically part of the curricula of computer engineers and scientists during their 3-years University courses. • EUCIP elective. Up to June 2006: • 22 profiles defined; • 8 profiles activated, with complete specification document. • Competence portfolios – including vendor-dependent certifications – evaluated by a commission. • 800 study hours can be included in a master degree or +2 University course. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  17. The EUCIP4U project • Launched in 2004 by AICA, CRUI Foundation and the Italian inter-University ICT Consortium CINI. • Aimed at introducing EUCIP into Universities: • starting with EUCIP core for computer engineers and scientists; • involving in EUCIP core also economists and technical managers; • evolving towards EUCIP elective for computer engineers and scientists. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  18. EUCIP4U activities • Mapping of EUCIP core syllabus into University curricula. • Activation of University Competence Centers (CCUs) to deal with EUCIP tests. • Trials to evaluate actual coverage of EUCIP core syllabus by students. • Production of e-learning courses for EUCIP core. • Real certification tests to disseminate EUCIP. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  19. Trials June 2004 • 10 Universities, around 200 3rd-year students in computer engineering and sciences. • Trials based on 453 multiple-choice questions. Success threshold 60 %. • Results: • PLAN test resulted by far the most difficult one: • business-style English language not familiar for computer engineers and scientists; • PLAN topics badly covered by University curricula. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  20. Tests end 2004 • Performed after specific teaching on PLAN topics. • Real certification tests: • 90 minutes for each module; • 45 multiple-choice questions for PLAN; • 40 multiple-choice questions for BUILD & OPERATE; • success threshold 60 %. • Results: PLAN test still the most difficult one. Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  21. Activities up to end 2006 • Special offer tu students: €100 for e-learning course on PLAN and EUCIP core test. • 7 e-learning courses on PLAN followed by about 700 students. • Results of the final tests: … still around 1/3 of computer engineering and sciences students not passing EUCIP tests. Increasing percentage of students passing PLAN, but… Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  22. EUCIP4U lesson • Tuning between University curricula and EUCIP syllabus required. • Poor knowledge of non-technical English. • EUCIP core cannot be the final certification for computer engineers and scientists: need of elective profiles. • Students feedback shows the importance of recognition of EUCIP by the job market (i.e., ICT Industries) ! Extreme Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

  23. Thanks a lot for your attention !!! Genzano di Roma, May 26th 2007

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