Why micro-credentials will trump traditional degrees for guaranteed career success

“By 2050, Africa will have the largest youth population in the world. We know that education is the great equaliser. Use technology. Use Agentic AI. Repurpose classrooms. Repurpose how lecturers, students and parents think about education. Most importantly, we need political will and the will of ordinary people to ensure Africa doesn’t get left behind,” explained GIFS CEO Kershen Pillay.

In his capacity as a global educational thought leader, Pillay shared his views on career longevity during a CNBC webinar on The Future of Education 2025. Featuring luminaries from the world of higher education, Dr Pillay was in-studio for the discussion in September 2025.

Moderated by CNBC Africa Anchor Zanele Morrison, the webinar focused on Industry-Integrated Curriculum, Alternative Learning Pathways in Teaching and Learning and also featured Audrey Cumberford, Principal and Chief Executive of Edinburgh College; Ebrahim Noor Mahomed, Director, BDO; and Nidhi Sehgal, Head of School, Business and Humanities, Curtin University Dubai.

A highlight of the discussion was whether the traditional degree is still the pathway to success. Pillay explained how the stacking of micro-credentials means that aspirant students need to reconsider their entryways into career paths. The world of work is demanding greater emphasis on agility and responsiveness from employees and the way to define career success is being shaped by those who are open to expanding their skillset beyond traditional offerings. Pillay emphasised as the world of work evolves globally, organisations are slowly adjusting their approach to the skillsets required for employee success. A prominent recent example is the rollout of the Global Goals 2030: Africa Scholarship that places focus on empowering learners through asynchronous learning; where they can choose where to study, when and how often – all while fully immersed in the World of Work.

Among the new age innovations for students is agentic lecturing that enables students to benefit from the expertise of lecturers in different time zones. Explaining it simply, Pillay mentioned how the time zone differences between the United States and South Africa don’t allow for students to be in real-time online lectures. However, professor avatars offer options where the student can benefit from the lecture at their own time and convenience. It’s technical, has academic rigour and gives people access to skills and professionals they’d never otherwise be able to reach.

Panel members shared similar anecdotes of how the world of learning is evolving to dovetail with the world of work. Pillay advocated for aspirant students and their parents to do proper diligence as the demand for technical skills is slowly outpacing the need for traditional qualifications.

In his parting response, Pillay advocated for Africa to take her rightful place in the world, emphasising by the year 2050, the continent will have the largest youth population in the world. The global workforce will therefore turn to Africa for its labour. There’s one generation to close the gap where education will be the great equalizer. What’s required, according to Pillay, is for digitisation and technological strides to reach the masses. And the only way that will happen is if there’s collective will from those in political power, as well as from business and society at large.

Watch the webinar recording here: