Items

  • Perceived Social Support through Students’ Drawings in the Fundamental Learning Stage

    This study explores how students in the early years of primary education (preparatory class, first grade, and second grade) understand and perceive social support in the school environment through the analysis of their drawings and verbal explanations. Students were asked to draw “a day at school when someone helped them,” and the analysis focused on the content of the drawings, the use of symbols, colours, emotions, and depicted relationships, as well as the students’ verbal presentations. The results revealed that students perceive social support as largely provided by peers and teachers, in the form of concrete assistance (such as lending a pen, sharing a snack) and emotional encouragement. A positive perception of their social environment was reflected through symbols (hearts, stars, the sun, and butterflies) and warm colours (red, yellow, and pink). The larger drawings of certain figures indicate their emotional significance. This study highlights that drawing is a highly useful tool for teachers, allowing them to identify students’ emotional and social needs, particularly among young children, and providing a natural means of expression. Drawing can be used both individually and in group settings to observe the dynamics of relationships, but it is important that interpretations are approached with caution and with careful respect for the child’s privacy.
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  • Fostering Computational Thinking Through Educational Robots

    The study analyzes the development of computational thinking and technical skills through educational robots, combining theoretical instruction with the development of haptic robotic devices. It proposes a teaching framework that facilitates learning through robotics projects, using force-feedback haptic devices, enabling students to acquire essential skills, improve their digital abilities, and adapt to real-world challenges. The study evaluates the impact of integrating educational robots on cognitive development within an appropriate teaching environment, utilizing the equipment in the robotics lab. The results indicate an improvement in deduction and reasoning abilities, programming skills, use of haptic interfaces, as well as in building and manipulating robots. The implementation of robots and haptic devices has led to significant changes in both teaching strategy and the students' learning process.
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  • The Contribution of Early Childhood Education Services in Supporting the Balance Between Work and Family Life

    Parents' balancing act between work and life presents a major challenge, especially for those with young children. One of the most significant obstacles they face is finding trustworthy and affordable help. The importance of childcare services for working parents cannot be overstated, as these services provide parents with the flexibility and time needed to continue their careers, while also ensuring the well-being and development of their children. This article explores the contribution of early childhood education services in supporting the work-life balance and highlights the essential benefits they offer. Additionally, it emphasizes how these services generate flexibility for parents, reduce stress, and facilitate the integration of professional and family responsibilities. Public policies and adequate funding for early childhood education are also analyzed as vital for promoting a more balanced future for families. The findings underscore the necessity for authorities to focus more on structural changes and the development of accessible early childhood education and care services, as well as expanding these services both in rural and urban areas. The article concludes with case studies and concrete examples of best practices, illustrating the importance of early childhood education within the context of work-family balance.
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  • Exploring Risk Factors of Early School Leaving in the Republic of Moldova

    This study explores the determinants of early school leaving in the Republic of Moldova, with a focus on individual-level and contextual risk factors that shape young people's educational trajectories. Based on data from the 2020 Generations and Gender Survey and using binary logistic regression, the analysis identifies key predictors associated with increased likelihood of educational discontinuation among youth. The results highlight the significant impact of parental education, with youth whose parents have completed only lower secondary education being more likely to leave school early. Rural residence also emerges as a strong predictor, reflecting disparities in access to educational and transport infrastructure, as well as broader socio-economic disadvantages in non-urban areas. Gender differences are evident, with boys more likely to disengage from education, pointing to the influence of gendered socialization patterns. Additionally, early parenthood (before the age of 19) and growing up in larger families (three or more children) are significantly associated with higher odds of early school leaving. These findings emphasize the need for targeted, inclusive, and context-sensitive educational policies that address both structural inequalities and individual-level vulnerabilities.
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  • The Efficiency of Teamwork in Medical Electronics Laboratories

    With so many teaching strategies available today that enhance students' learning, it might be difficult to decide which one to implement in electronics laboratories at a faculty. Is the most effective method still the straightforward, traditional, team-based work, or are the new methods—flipped classroom, role play, gamification, etc.—suitable for students? Do students perform better working individually or in a team of people that share the same interests? The participants of this study are second-year students who worked either in free-chosen teams of two to three people or in pre established teams of three to four people in the medical electronics laboratories of the Faculty of Medical Engineering over the course of a year. The goal of this paper is to answer these questions regarding the optimal teaching and learning strategy for university students by using a form with different questions about their perspective on teamwork.
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  • Book Reviews in CAE Exams Papers: A Tool for Developing Vocabulary

    Cambridge Assessment, generally known under the name Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is a part of the University of Cambridge plays a major role in educational assessment and qualifications worldwide. Its main roles include providing internationally recognised exams and results, organising and marking exams in order to be obtained different certificates, supporting institutions, candidates and teachers, as well as ensuring reliability and fairness in global education standards. In conducting our study on the role of book reviews in CAE examinations and English language learning, we focused on identifying the use of both the descriptive and evaluative discourse of literary critics, used with the main purpose of persuading the audience, as well as on assessing its educational and instructional qualities, concerning Cambridge English exam candidates.
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  • Enhancing Learning Objectives in Legal Education: Comparing Smart and ABCD Strategies

    The process of training future specialists of legal professions in higher education institutions of any country, today is subject to teaching traditions that have been strongly imprinted by the culture of that geographical space. The culture of teaching legal subjects is dictated by the particularities of the great legal systems. Although national legal systems differ significantly—even within the "major legal families"—we find it appropriate, within the present investigation, to identify the "ideology" of an effective and efficient methodology for training law students. In essence, the "legal education architecture" will strictly respect learning objectives. By analyzing teaching traditions, curriculum frameworks, perspectives of labor market representatives, and the views of legal education beneficiaries, this paper evaluates the effectiveness of the SMART methodology—defined by its focus on specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time-boundedness—and the ABCD model, which emphasizes audience, behavior, condition, and degree, in defining the learning objectives within the field of legal sciences. The analysis aims to demonstrate how the pedagogical principles advanced by Malcolm Knowles and Benjamin Bloom can be implemented in a harmonious way and integrative manner, enabling universities not only to impart knowledge and develop professional competencies, but also to foster and reinforce fundamental human values among future legal professionals. However, in this research, based on the role of the jurist in contemporary society, we intend to formulate strategies for defining learning objectives in the context of new challenges to legal education: artificial intelligence, pandemic, economic security, migration, armed conflicts, environmental protection giving rise, already at university level, to scenarios that future legal professionals must not only reflect upon, but also address and respond to promptly. In the paper, in order to demonstrate the theses formulated at the outset, we have employed theoretical research methods: analysis and synthesis. We employed deductive reasoning whenever necessary, as it is central to legal argumentation and, by extension, to legal activity. This emphasis on deduction does not diminish the importance of its counterpart, induction, nor does it reduce the relevance of combining analysis with synthesis and applying other complementary methods. Certainly, in order to substantiate the research results, we resorted to empirical methods such as observation, verification, and testing. Empirical methods specifically allowed us to identify qualitative indicators of learning objectives formulation strategies. Learning from experience and through experience is the key to the success of training valuable professionals in the field of legal sciences. In this regard, contemporary methodologies abound in methods and techniques of experiential learning. Therefore, in the proposed study, we will identify to what extent experiential learning fits into the strategies for formulating SMART and ABCD learning objectives. In the ideal version, a curricular standard at the law faculties will be thoroughly thought out by calibrating the learning objectives with the teaching techniques and methods that allow the most successful achievement of the training goals.
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  • Medical Education in the Digital Age - Benefits and Risks

    The prophylactic and curative programs aim to use digital literacy as a tool to promote health education and to increase the accessibility and quality of health services. What is called "e-health" has become an important component of connecting health systems around the world. Variables such as cost, time, availability can be improved through the mechanism of digitization. Despite the benefits, there are a number of barriers, among which we mention the lack of digital literacy, reduced access to devices, user reluctance, and the danger of accessing scientifically unvalidated databases. Also an important risk factor is the vulnerability per se of these types of systems, which contain sensitive data about large categories of individuals. Apart from the risks and imperfections of actual digital health networks, the overall benefits of digital health networks cannot be minimized. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the literacy level of the population, in line with the current policies to be implemented by 2030. The aim of the study is to raise awareness among policy-makers and patients about the need for digital literacy. Through the current research we conducted an analysis of a total of 182 studies that we have identified in the PubMed database for the period 2005-2024. Data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel.The findings of the study point to the need for digital literacy of the population with the
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  • Enhance on Clinical Education for Nursing Students with Videos: A Review of the Literature

    Clinical education is the cornerstone of nursing education, essential to equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for professional practice. However, challenges such as limited clinical placement opportunities, varying levels of instructor support, and increasing student enrollment have necessitated the consideration of alternative or complementary teaching methods. One such method that is gaining prominence is video-based learning. The review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed studies published for ten years (2015-2025), highlighting the diverse ways in which videos have been employed-including procedural demonstrations, scenario-based simulations, and reflective learning modules. Evidence suggests that video-based instruction enhances learning outcomes development, emotional-interpersonal development, and technological integration-accessibility. Moreover, video tools offer flexible, repeatable, standardized learning opportunities that accommodate various learning styles. Despite the numerous advantages, the literature also identifies challenges such as the need for high-quality, evidence-based video content, technological barriers, and the importance of integrating video resources with active learning strategies and instructor guidance. This review
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  • A Comparative Analysis of Autonomous versus Guided Task-Based Approaches for Enhancing Speaking Proficiency among EFL University Learners

    This article explores the relative effectiveness of two teaching methods applied in a unit on Artificial Intelligence for two English as a Foreign Language (EFL) groups of students at the same language proficiency level. The instructor applied different strategies to the two 15 student groups: Autonomous Active Learning (AAL) and Guided Task-Based Learning (TBL). Both methods are acknowledged for their potential to improve speaking proficiency among university-level EFL learners. Although both approaches are based on communicative language teaching and task-based instruction, they should be used according to students' needs, depending on learner autonomy and teacher involvement. Through a review of related literature, an analysis of empirical studies, and a theoretical discussion, this research seeks to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The results suggest that students flourish in active learning settings where they are highly engaged and interact directly with English speakers. While guided TBL provides chances for memorization and practice, it may restrict vocabulary growth and learning new terms due to insufficient exposure to authentic texts and real-life conversations. By the end of the study, students in the AAL group showed increased confidence in presenting their projects, whereas those in the TBL group displayed more hesitance.
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  • Education in the Imperative of Sustainability. A Step towards the Impact of Science and Technology

    Sustainable Development (SD) heterogeneity outlines the diverse challenges of achieving economic growth. The strategy for the SD is framed within the broader framework of biodiversity ecosystems. This roadmap enhances resource management and education, both fundamental for achieving social progress and ensuring performance. Education in the SD strategy represents a significant challenge to the status quo in the domain of complementary education studies, with implications for employment in science and technology. According to Eurostat, the Human Resources in Science and Technology (HRST) index reported that in 2023, 71.8 million people were employed in science and technology within the European Union (EU). Researchers in this domain signal limitations on the education sector’s ability to plan for the future, particularly regarding the constraints imposed by resource scarcity and economic growth. Highlighting the challenges of inquiry, this paper explores more specifically the key factors that shape HRST potential, considering the common context of all economies, the natural environment, which substantiates the performance equation that entails household economic growth and investments. Therefore, to grasp the trends of HRST, an analysis of Eurostat indicators was performed. The paper's result was regressed in the landscape of statistical information ranging between 2014 and 2023. To properly manage the performance context that biases science and technology, attention was focused on the primary keys of ecosystems, such as environmental protection actions, forestry, construction, and agricultural land. Moreover, the construction investment parameters imprint a significant behavior on science and technology, even if environmental protection activities dont have yet a corresponding impact in statistics, as Türkiye case, unlike Western Europe, which creates an influence between environmental protection activities and science and technology. This framework aims to delineate the scientific and technological potential in achieving sustainable development goals, considering that innovation, science and technology are an imperative for society that connects the educational environment to economic performance.
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  • Sustainable Agriculture and Education for Long-Term Development

    Sustainable agriculture is becoming an essential pillar for sustainable development in the context of global challenges related to climate change, natural resource degradation, and population growth. This article explores the link between education and sustainable agriculture, with a special focus on the role of vocational training in adopting precision agriculture. Precision agriculture, based on modern technologies such as GPS, sensors, drones, and artificial intelligence, promises increased efficiency and reduced negative environmental impact. However, the success of its implementation depends significantly on the level of training of farmers and the capacity of educational institutions to respond to the demands of the modern agricultural market. The article analyzes the advantages and limitations of training in this field, proposes directions for improving educational curricula such as the local specific context, and provides recommendations for integrated public policies that support the transition to a sustainable and digitalized agriculture. The conclusions emphasize the need for a synergistic approach between education, technology, and policies to ensure long-term sustainability.
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  • Mapping the Reverse Gender Gap in Higher Education in Romania within the European Context

    This paper aims to analyse, through a longitudinal quantitative approach using secondary analysis, the phenomenon of the reverse gender gap in education, specifically in higher education. It seeks to document and examine the occurrence and evolution of this phenomenon in Romania and in other European countries. Initially, the gender studies were primarily focused on the challenges faced by women and girls in social structures and institutions that hindered their opportunities in education, the labour market, family life and so on. However, in recent decades, while the participation of girls in higher education has increased significantly, a new trend has emerged: the participation of boys has been declining year after year in the majority of countries around the world. Therefore, this paper studies the quantitative and temporal dimensions of male students’ participation in higher education. By mapping this gap, the study tries to uncover the underlying factors contributing to this trend, such as shifts in labour market demands, changes in educational policies, and evolving societal attitudes towards gender roles.
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  • Emerging Trends in Romanian Music Education: A Literature Review

    Romanian music education is changing significantly as a result of international trends and technology breakthroughs. In order to identify important new trends, this paper examines the literature on music education in Romania from the last five years. The study's main topics are interdisciplinarity, digitalization, creative teaching strategies, and future challenges. The article focuses on the growing integration of music into interdisciplinary learning, the use of digital tools, and alternative pedagogical approaches like Orff, Dalcroze, and Kodály methods. Even though there are many advantages to new teaching methods and technology, problems like unequal access to digital resources and teacher training still exist. The study is based on articles published in the last five years, retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases.
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  • Irrational Thinking and Stress among Adolescents: The Role of Self-Efficacy

    Everyone on the planet knows what stress means. The purpose of this related study was to explore the relationship between adolescents' perceptions of their own worth and their acceptance of irrational thinkings and stress. 310 high school students in the Baghdad area participated in the study and provided data for this analysis. There were 177 females (57.1% of the sample) and 133 males (42.9% of the sample). The mean age of participants was 16.43 (SD = 1.20) years. We collected information from the Rosenberg Self-Efficacy Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Adolescent Irrational Thinking Scale. The data were tested using Bootstrap method, ordinary least squares regression, Pearson correlation analysis and descriptive statistics. The results show that self-efficacy has a strong mediating effect between irrational thinking and feelings of stress. Previous research findings are considered and recommendations are made for future mental health researchers and practitioners.
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  • The Value of Self-Analysis of the Teaching Activity of Primary School Teachers and Its Relevance on Self-Perceived Professional Progress

    The present qualitative study, part of a wider research, aims to investigate the ways in which self-analysis of teaching activity is used among primary school teachers in Romania and the relevance of this approach on the self-perceived professional progress of teachers. Data collection was carried out by applying the focus-group method for a sample of 51 participants. The focus-group grid consisted of several preliminary questions, six open questions that allowed the formative valences of the self-analysis of the teaching activity to be outlined, and a concluding question. In this paper, we have focused on the ways in which self-analysis of teaching activity can be used and the contribution of this process to teachers' self-perceived professional progress. Following the recording of the answers, their analysis and coding, aspects such as: the permanent reporting of teachers to students, the achievement of educational goals, the optimal and prompt change of teaching strategies, the use of self-reflective questions, didactic self-regulation and the efficiency of the instructional-educational approach, considered as prerequisites for the practice of self-analysis of teaching activity, were highlighted. On the other hand, we found that all 51 primary school teachers claim that self-analysis of teaching activity contributes significantly to their self-perceived professional progress.
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  • Organizational Incivility: Patterns and Profiles among Teaching Staff

    Organizational incivility is a type of behavior that can be frequently encountered in the workplace environment. Even if it can have a low intensity and is vaguely perceptible, studies in recent years find that these manifestations can be contagious and over time can become part of the organizational culture. It usually manifests itself through behaviors such as: taking credit for someone else's work, unpleasant emails, compliments with ambiguous meaning, which cumulatively affect the well-being of employees at work. Distinct characteristics of the target (victim), the instigator and the witness were noted, taking into account criteria such as: position in the organizational hierarchy, certain personality traits and behavioral reactions. The teaching staff have not been speared of manifestations of workplace incivility as it can be seen through the interviews that it is a frequent occurrence.
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  • The role of intergroup apologies and intergroup contact in promoting reconciliation in severe intergroup conflicts

    One of the big challenges of social psychologists is how to contribute to solving existing intergroup conflicts. The present experiment (N = 178) was conducted in the context of a severe intergroup conflict between Romanians (the privileged group) and Romas (the underprivileged group) and investigated the effects of intergroup apologies, intergroup contact and their interaction on intergroup forgiveness and trust. Perceived sincerity of the apology and perceived typicality of apologizing representatives were studied as moderators of apology’s effects. Results show that intergroup contact was positively associated with forgiveness and trust in the perpetrator group, while intergroup apologies had a direct effect only on trust. Apology’s effect on trust was moderated by both perceived sincerity of the apology and perceived typicality of the apologizing representative, while its effect on forgiveness was moderated only by perceived sincerity. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
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  • Exploring Current Trends in Education: A Comprehensive Review of Original Works

    In the ever-evolving realm of education, staying attuned to current trends is imperative for stakeholders to navigate the complexities of modern pedagogy effectively. This article aims to present a comprehensive review of original works that delve into the latest developments in education. Through an analysis of recent literature and empirical research findings, it illuminates key trends shaping educational practices, policies, and discourse. From the integration of technology to the promotion of diversity and inclusion, and the challenges posed by remote learning, this abstract synthesizes diverse perspectives to offer a nuanced understanding of contemporary educational paradigms. By examining the implications of these trends on teaching, learning, and educational outcomes, this abstract aims to inform educators, policymakers, and researchers seeking to innovate and adapt in response to the evolving needs of learners in the 21st century.
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  • Education in the age of Artificial Intelligence

    The aim of this research paper is to present how education is impacted by the development of new technologies, especially artificial intelligence. Because of its capacity to generate content based on prior experiences, artificial intelligence has immense impact and potential. The educational system has to adapt to the changing needs of society by incorporating new technologies into the lessons taught. Artificial intelligence has the ability to improve learning for students in a number of ways, one of which is by giving teachers precise feedback and by offering students with learning experiences that are tailored and adaptable. Artificial intelligence can be used to boost student engagement and motivation, which may be used to inspire students to take responsibility for their education and to be committed to achieving academic success. Also, students need to acquire the abilities employers will be looking for in the workers of tomorrow in an increasingly algorithmic and digital environment. Many companies already employ artificial intelligence for tasks such as writing product descriptions, developing customized products, customer support, and targeted, tailored content for their consumers. The education system will have to teach students to co-create together with artificial intelligence as it becomes more integrated into business, products, and service
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  • Education and Moral Values in a Multicultural World: Medical Students' Perspectives

    The article explores the complexity of education and the profound significance of moral values in the development of young people's personalities and character, emphasizing the fundamental role of education in shaping society and promoting the good. It highlights the transition from cognitive to pragmatic values and their impact on education in the modern and postmodern eras. The article discusses the value crisis in the context of moral values and emphasizes the importance of moral education for navigating the complexities of a multicultural society, promoting universal moral values such as honesty, kindness, and tolerance. The results of a survey conducted among 120 students at the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Nicolae Testemițanu” reflect the recognition of the positive impact of moral values, but also a certain reluctance in accepting interethnic dialogue, thus illustrating the challenges and opportunities of moral education in a culturally diverse environment.
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  • Designing Generation Z Future Career in Challenging Times through Digital Marketing Education in Romania-Serbian 1. 2. 3. Cross-Border Vision

    Hardly employable categories in rural areas (young people without university degrees or a high school diploma), are enabled to start new jobs using IT technologies and market skills. The objective of the study was to identify and create a pilot program in a cross-border Romanian-Serbian region by following the labour market needs. Nevertheless, the research underlines the importance of improving the quality of teaching and developing digital and marketing skills for youngsters by creating extracurricular programs in partnership. We applied 80 online surveys in two high schools Timis and Vrsac and conducted five semi-structured interviews with companies. The main result of the research is an extracurricular program “Digital U” which was created in accordance with the needs identified. The program will provide employment opportunities in the rural area of the cross-border region Timis-Vrsac by setting up personalized activities to promote employment by the market trends, implementing vocational training in digital and marketing skills, raising awareness regarding the importance of soft skills (teamwork, self-esteem, critical thinking) for youngsters with ages of 16-24 years from vulnerable groups to stay in their birthplaces, establish their businesses, and have families there.
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  • Development of Inclusive Competencies through Teacher Training

    Inclusive teacher training should respond to different factors, such as educational policies and theoretical perspectives. As the importance of inclusion in education increases, it is expected that training programs in this perspective should increase at least in number, as recommended by existing studies in the last decade in Romania. Based on this finding, the present research aims to identify whether there was a change in the number, forms, and contents of inclusive training programs between 2017 and 2022 in Romania, by comparing the names, categories of training programs, and future training offers. This research examines how many training programs have been carried out in the teacher's training centers, synthesizes information about training topics and trainers, and identifies potential training programs for the 2022–2023 school year.
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  • Is the Education in Standardization One of the Best Approaches in Training the Next Generation of Experts?

    The growing complexity and globalization of industries highlight the crucial role of standardization in ensuring quality, interoperability, and innovation across sectors. Europe needs the best standardization experts to pursue its global standard-setting ambitions to safeguard a digital, green and resilient single market. As industries evolve, the demand for experts well-versed in standards and their implementation becomes increasingly urgent. The strategic importance of standards requires more attention and promotion. Students do not often get the value of learning about standardization until a later stage of their career. At the same time, the industry, public authorities, and societal stakeholders need experts to assist them in the standardization process. Increasing the incentives for students and universities to engage in standardization depends on market attractiveness and societal perspective on standardization This paper presents an example of best practice of collaboration between national standardization bodies of Romania, Bulgaria, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain and University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" from Timisoara, Romania in developing micro-credential courses. This paper investigates whether the integration of standardization into educational frameworks represents a new and necessary vision for developing the next generation of experts.
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