The MAINSTREAM project conducted a two-day online capacity building training on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), focusing on credit recognition, workload calculation, and inter-university academic mobility. The training was held virtually and brought together academic registrar, and internationalization staff from partner universities across Africa and Europe.
The training was facilitated by Prof. Ralf Schlauderer from Hochschule Weihenstephan Triesdorf (HSWT), with active participation from representatives of MAINSTREAM partner institutions, including universities from Uganda, Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, Togo, South Africa, Germany, and others.
Objective of the Training
The objective of the training was to strengthen institutional capacity among MAINSTREAM partner universities in managing credit transfers, recognizing academic performance across institutions, and supporting student mobility in line with international best practices.
Day One: Foundations of the Credit Transfer System
The first day focused on the conceptual and technical foundations of the European Credit Transfer System. Participants were introduced to the rationale behind ECTS, including its role in harmonizing academic systems, facilitating student mobility, and improving transparency in recognition of academic performance.
Key areas covered included:
- Definition of a European Credit and its calculation based on student workload
- Relationship between contact hours, self study, and total workload
- Structure of semesters and allocation of credits per module
- Importance of aligning curricula with labor market needs
- Challenges universities face in recognizing credits earned at partner institutions
The session emphasized that ECTS is not merely a mathematical calculation but an academic tool that supports meaningful learning outcomes and flexibility in curriculum design
MAINSTREAM Credit transfer syst…
Day Two: Practical Application and Institutional Processes
The second day focused on the practical implementation of credit transfer systems. Using real examples, participants explored how credits are documented, evaluated, and recognized within institutional systems.
Topics discussed included:
- Structure and interpretation of module handbooks
- Use of transcripts of records for credit recognition
- Online learning agreements and Erasmus style workflows
- Handling incoming and outgoing student mobility
- Managing timetable conflicts and unavailable modules
- Recognition of partial research and thesis work during mobility
Participants reviewed real case scenarios involving students studying abroad and demonstrated how equivalent modules are identified and recognized without requiring students to repeat coursework. The session strongly reinforced the principle of flexibility while maintaining academic standards
MAINSTREAM Credit transfer syst…
Key Outcomes
The training resulted in a shared understanding among partner universities on:
- Using workload and learning outcomes as the basis for credit recognition
- Avoiding duplication of learning for mobile students
- Promoting transparent and predictable credit transfer processes
- Strengthening cooperation among MAINSTREAM institutions through aligned academic practices
Participants also discussed the need for a common framework or guiding document among MAINSTREAM universities to further standardize recognition of academic performance across institutions.