Cooperation between the Asia-Pacific and the Lisbon Recognition Convention regions re recognition of TNQ Asia-Pacific Forum in Quality and Recognition in TNE Hed, Dublin, December 2018 Rolf Lofstad, Deputy Director of Foreign Education rolf.lofstad@nokut.no

Presentation overview NOKUT, a brief overview UNESCO Regional Conventions in short The UNESCO Global Convention Impact on recognition issues between Asia and Europe Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

NOKUT NOKUT is a professionally independent government agency authorised to supervise the quality of higher education and tertiary vocational education in Norway. In accordance with Section 2-1 (2) of the Universities and University Colleges Act, NOKUT’s objective is to contribute to ensuring that the institutions provide study programmes at a high international level, and that society can be confident of the quality of Norwegian higher education, tertiary vocational education and recognised higher education from other countries. Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Conventions on Recognition – the international legal framework Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

What are the benfits of ratifying a convention on recognition? Benefit for Member States of the convention Benefit for Students Ratification show commitment to improve mobility, employablity, and collaboration in the region. The convention’s shared standards help students navigate the region’s diverse education systems. Ratification aligns Member States with a strategy for improved information sharing, recognition of qualifications, and quality assurance measures. The Convention’s information sharing strategy helps assessment remain fair and transparent for all students. Ratification encourages fair and transparent recognition so that all Member States can benefit from qualified students and labour and improved economic productivity. The Convention supports a student’s right to appeal a denied assessment, which assures fairness and fights discrimination and corruption. Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Regional conventions Europe Lisbon 1997, In force 1999 Adoption Lisbon 1997, In force 1999 Official name Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European  Region Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Regional conventions Africa Addis 2014 Adoption Addis 2014 Official name Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in African States Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Regional conventions Asia and the Pacific Tokyo 2011 In force 2018 Adoption Tokyo 2011 In force 2018 Official name Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific "Asia-Pacific" by Abrahamic Faiths - Own work. Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Regional conventions – 2nd generation Europe (Lisbon - 1997) In force 1999 Asia and the Pacific (Tokyo - 2011) In force 2018 Africa (Addis Ababa - 2014) Needs 10 signatories in total, we still lack 4 Latin America and the Caribbean?  Work in progress – 2019(?) Arab region?  Work in progress - 2019 Mediterranean?  Work in progress Canada and USA => LRC Special case: The Holy See: Signatory to ALL conventions where they have HEIs Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

WHY DO WE NEED A GLOBAL CONVENTION? The growth of inter‐regional student mobility The need of transparent and fair recognition of qualifications The need of enhancing quality on higher education The need of international coherence in recognition processes Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Global Convention – tentative timeline December 2018 Examination of draft by Special Committee March / April 2019 Submission of draft to Member States November 2019 Final draft presented to the 40th General Conference for decision/adoption Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Objectives of the (draft!) Global Convention Foster a better use of human and educational resources globally in view of promoting education for development and contribute to structural, economical, technological, cultural, democratic and social development for all societies. Promote, through the recognition of qualifications, inclusive and equitable access to quality higher education and support lifelong learning opportunities for all, including persons forced to leave their country of origin. Promote the development and sharing of accessible, up-to-date, reliable, transparent and relevant information between stakeholders, Parties and regions. Promote and build capacities for reliability, consistency and complementarity in quality assurance, qualifications frameworks and the recognition of qualifications to support inter-regional mobility. Foster trust and confidence in the quality and integrity of qualifications, including through encouraging ethical practices in higher education. Provide a global framework for the inclusive, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, consistent, coherent and reliable recognition of qualifications concerning higher education that also upholds and protects the autonomy of higher education institutions and respects the diversity of higher education systems. Facilitate global mobility for the mutual benefit of societies, qualification holders, higher education institutions, academics, employers and other relevant stakeholders of the Parties to the Convention by understanding and respecting the diversity of the Parties' higher education systems. Support inter-regional initiatives, policies and innovations for international cooperation in higher education Promote and strengthen international cooperation in higher education Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Confidence / mutual trust Global Convention Overarching, normative Facilitator! Documents adopted by the LRC Committee Confidence / mutual trust Seasons Greetings! Mobility through -Recognition -Quality assurance -Information provision Revised Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Transnational Education Recommendation on International Access Qualifications Recommendation on Recognition of QualificationsHeld by Refugees, Displaced persons and Persons in a Refugee-like situation Recommendation on Criteria and Procedures for the Assessment of Foreign Qualifications Revised Recommendation on Recognition of Joint Degrees Recommendation on the use of Qualifications Framework in the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications Asia-Pacific -Normative, obligations and rights -NIC LRC -Normative, obligations and rights -NIC Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

NO NO Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education

Thank you for your attention! Dublin, 18th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education