Digital Badge Policy

This policy applies to all digital badges issued by the University in the name of the University of Auckland. 

To provide a framework for the development, approval, design and issuing of digital badges.

Digital badges allow the University to recognise the achievements and accomplishments of students, staff members and other University learners. Digital badges can easily be shared electronically via social media and other online platforms, allowing recipients to showcase specific skills and accomplishments. The digital format of badges enables stakeholders to quickly view and understand what the badge represents.

Approval of digital badges

1. Digital badges may be approved for credit-bearing and non-credit bearing achievements or accomplishments.
2. University of Auckland digital badges must be issued in a digital badge category approved by the University Executive Committee (UEC).
3. New digital badge categories may be proposed for approval as per the Digital Badge Procedures.
4. Only badges approved in accordance with the Digital Badge Policy and Procedures may be issued.
5. Each category of digital badge will have a nominated Category Approver.
6. The Category Approver is responsible for approving new digital badges within the specific category.
7. The Category Approver must ensure that any new digital badge meets the digital badge criteria outlined in this policy prior to approval.
8. The following categories have been approved by the University Executive Committee for the issuing of Digital Badges:

• Achievement - badges recognise the achievement of specific skills or knowledge through the completion of formal learning. An example is a micro-credential.
• Professional development - badges recognise the learning activities people engage in to develop or maintain their skills and knowledge. An example is a short course approved in accordance with the Short Courses Policy.
• Co-curricular experiences - badges recognise the experiences undertaken by a student during their student journey at the University. An example is an AUSA Executive role.
• Milestone - badges recognise the achievement of a significant milestone within a student’s qualification. An example is the award of First in class within a specific course.

Digital badge criteria

9. A University of Auckland Digital Badge must be:

• meaningful and specific – Digital badges will be issued to recognise specific meaningful achievements or accomplishments and must be based on approved standards and criteria.
• portable – The University will use the Open Badges technical standards to ensure that its digital badges are accessible and can be shared widely.
• verifiable - Digital badges issued by the University of Auckland will be able to be validated for authenticity.
• quality assured – Digital badges issued by the University of Auckland must be quality assured and reflect high standards of integrity and credibility.
• relevant – Digital badges issued by the University of Auckland must be relevant to external stakeholders.
• Consistent – Digital badges issued by the University of Auckland must be consistent in style and validated and issued centrally to maintain quality and value.

Digital badge features

10. All digital badges issued by the University will comprise the badge image and the metadata associated with the digital badge. The metadata must include:

• badge name
• short description
• earning criteria
• issuer
• skills and competencies demonstrated
• issue date

11. All digital badges issued by the University of Auckland must use the approved digital badge designs.
12. All digital badges issued by the University must comprise the badge image and the specified metadata associated with the digital badge.

Revocation or withdrawal of a digital badge

13. The University may withdraw an approved category or an approved individual digital badge from the digital badge programme through the process outlined in the Digital Badge Procedures.
14. If the University withdraws a category of badges, previously issued badges will remain on record but no new badges will be issued under that category or name.
15. The University may revoke a digital badge that has been issued to a person in error, or where that person did not possess the knowledge, skill or behaviour that was being assessed, or if that person acquired the badge through fraudulent or dishonest means.

Review of digital badges

16. Category Approvers must review the list of approved digital badges in their category on an annual basis to ensure the ongoing relevance of the badges.

Issue of badges

17. All University of Auckland digital badges must be issued through the University’s agreed issuing process.

The following definitions apply to this document:
A digital badge is an electronic representation of an accomplishment or achievement that is visual, available online and is embedded with metadata that provides context, meaning, process and result of an activity.
Badge name is a succinct name that accurately reflects the learning, achievement or skill that the badge recognises.
Digital badge category represents a grouping of digital badges around a common theme. Multiple digital badges may be approved if they relate to the relevant category.
Category approver is the person or committee responsible for approving proposed digital badges within an approved category.
Credit bearing refers to formally approved academic courses or micro-credentials that have a point-value associated with them and can potentially be credited to a qualification.
Earning criteria refers to the criteria that the badge earner must meet in order to be issued the badge.
Issue date refers to the date the badge was issued, and expiration if applicable.
Issuer refers to the University of Auckland.
Non-credit bearing refers to accomplishments or achievements that are not formally approved academic structures, do not have a point-value associated with them, and cannot be credited towards qualifications.
Short description is a brief description of what the badge represents. Must be appropriate for external audiences.
Skills and competencies demonstrated refers to a summary of the skills and competencies associated with the badge.
Staff member refers to an individual employed by the University or one of its subsidiaries on a full or part-time basis.
University means Waipapa Taumata Rau - the University of Auckland and includes all subsidiaries.

Include the following:

Digital Badge Procedures 
Micro-credentials Policy
Short Courses Policy

Owner: DVC Operations and Registrar
Content manager: Academic Programmes Manager
Approved by: Council
Date approved: 14 March 2022
Review date: 14 March 2027