Competency Management in Higher Education : Development of a Meta-Model and a Web Application for Mapping and Managing Competency Structures

Competency management in higher education is a critical aspect of aligning academic programmes with the evolving demands of the modern workforce. However, existing approaches often lack structure and fail to accommodate dynamic changes in competencies and curricula over time. This thesis addresses these challenges by developing a meta-model for systematic competency mapping, management, and evaluation in the context of higher education. The meta-model emphasizes the hierarchical structuring of competencies, integration with academic elements such as courses and programs, and support for versioning to track changes over time.
The theoretical foundation is built on an extensive review of existing competency models, identifying key gaps and requirements. Based on these insights, a web-based prototype was designed and implemented, combining a flexible backend with an intuitive frontend. The prototype allows stakeholders to visualize competency hierarchies, manage relationships between competencies and study elements, and adapt to dynamic changes in curricula.
The evaluation of the prototype, conducted through expert interviews and a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire, revealed high user acceptance and identified areas for further enhancement, such as improved flexibility and integration of dynamic features. The findings underscore the potential of the proposed meta-model to advance competency management in higher education, contributing to quality assurance, curriculum development, and personalized learning pathways.
This thesis offers a significant step toward a structured, transparent, and adaptable approach to competency management, ensuring that academic programs remain relevant and effective in preparing students for the challenges of a dynamic world.