Mayor’s Innovation Challenge Adds Micro-credentials for Students

Published on: 2022/01/25 - in Releases

RELEASE — The Mayor’s Innovation Challenge, in partnership with the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), will provide micro-credentials for local higher education students participating in the Challenge.

“We’re so excited about this development as we see the amazing amount of thought and work that goes into each and every pitch,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “Thanks to our strong partnership with DDQIC, we’re able to offer the opportunity to earn a micro-credential to all of our student entrepreneurs for their efforts. We hope to attract even more innovative pitches as we approach the competition on March 4.”

A micro-credential is a certification of assessed learning associated with a focused set of competencies delivered through a short program. These credentials verify the learner’s skills, can be sent to prospective employers or displayed on professional sites, like LinkedIn.

“Students will grow their entrepreneurial mindset by learning new strategies to develop and test solutions to real problems, and immediately apply these skills to a team-based, real-world MIC proposal. We are proud to partner with the City to offer digital badges that students can leverage to innovate in their future careers,” says Prof. James McLellan, DDQIC’s Academic Director. “Everybody wins.”

Students who want to earn a micro-credential while they craft their proposal will be required to complete 20 hours of online innovation skills-training through the Queen’s OnQ learning management system. This is open to all Kingston post-secondary students who are working on a challenge proposal. To sign up, complete the registration form by Jan. 28.

About the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge

The Mayor’s Innovation Challenge calls on individuals or teams of students from Kingston’s major post-secondary institutions to develop innovative proposals that contribute to making Kingston a better place to live, work, and play.

Students are invited to develop a two to three-minute video proposal that presents an innovative project that meets the following criteria:

  • The proposal can be implemented in the city and contributes to the quality of life of residents; and/or
  • A proposal that leverages emerging technologies or develops new innovations to enhance the delivery of municipal services.

The creators of the top submissions, selected by the Mayor and senior city staff, will be invited to present their proposals at the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge Virtual Event on Friday, March 4, 2022 to a panel of leaders with expertise in municipal government, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Find out more.


Release source: City of Kingston
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Laslovarga)