Academic and professional recognition in Europe International legal framework Workshop: Boosting quality: International Credential Evaluation and Higher Education Quality Assessment in SSH (PHOENIX) Bishkek, April 2006 Gunnar Vaht Estonian ENIC/NARIC

Recognition Academic recognition –the recognition of a qualification for the purpose of further studies. Main task is to assess whether the applicant is capable of continuing studies in the chosen direction and at the chosen level. Professional recognition –the recognition of a qualification for the purpose of employment in a certain profession. Main task is to found out whether the knowledge and professional skills of the applicant are sufficient to pursue a particular profession. –de jure - regulated professions; de facto - non-regulated

International legal instruments Conventions Recommendations Declarations EU Directives Bilateral and multilateral agreements

Convention Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (The Lisbon Convention), Council of Europe and UNESCO 41 ratifications/accessions (incl. Kyrghyzstan and Kazakhstan)

The Lisbon Convention (outline) Preamble Section I - Definitions Section II - The Competence of authorities Section III - Basic principles related to the assessment of qualifications Section IV - Recognition of qualifications giving access to higher education Section V - Recognition of periods of study Section VI - Recognition of higher education qualifications Section VII - Recognition of qualifications held by refugees, displaced persons and persons in a refugee-like situation Section VIII - Information on the assessment of higher education institutions and programmes Section IX - Information on recognition matters Section X - Implementation mechanisms Section XI - Final clauses

Some key concepts Applicants are entitled to a fair recognition of their qualifications Reasonable time limit Transparent, coherent and reliable procedures Right to appeal Recognition unless substantial differences can be shown Importance of information Recognition information centres (national ENIC) Implementation mechanisms

Recognition Networks ENIC (European Network of Information Centres on Academic Recognition and Mobility) –Council of Europe / UNESCO-CEPES NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centres) –European Commission Contact:

Subsidiary documents Recommendation on the Recognition of Joint Degrees (2004) Recommendation on Criteria and Procedures for the Assessment of Foreign Qualifications (2001) Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Transnational Education (2001) Recommendations on International Access Qualifications (1999)

Other international documents Joint ENIC/NARIC Charter of Activities and Services (2004) Mutual Recognition of Qualifications: the Russian Federation and the Other European Countries (2000) Guidelines for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Between Europe and USA (1994)