Dr. Dukagjin Pupovci Kosovo Bologna Promoters Team NEW QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK FOR KOSOVO Seminar on ECTS?DS & EQF?NQF February 2008 Bratislava, Slovakia NEW QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK FOR KOSOVO Seminar on ECTS?DS & EQF?NQF February 2008 Bratislava, Slovakia

Higher Education System in Kosovo

VISION: KOSOVO– Open and democratic society integrated in the European Higher Education Area, where knowledge and research are base for a sustainable cultural, social and economic development. MISSION: Development of an efective higher education system contributing to the welfare of the Kosovar society by offering a high quality education and research, with equal opportunities for all, in accordance to the values of liberty, democracy and diversity. Higher Education Strategy

Steps towards the Bologna Process  Quick start in academic year 2000/01 –Two-tier studies –Reduced duration years –Applying ECTS/Development of manuals –First Bologna graduates in 2004  What we missed? –A preparatory period –Quality assurance –Relevance of study programs to labor market need

Steps towards the Bologna Process  Higher Education Act –Promulgated in May 2003 –Preamble refers explicitely to the Bologna Process and to the Prague Conference –Followed by a numbr of bylaws operationalizing the Bologna principles  New Statute of the University of Prishtina –Approved in July 2004 –Fully Bologna Compliant

Steps towards the Bologna Process  The Ksoovo Bologna Promoters Team established in October 2005  The KBPT has implemented a Tempus project which resulted in development of national Bologna policies –Curriculum Development –ECTS –Recognition of degrees –Quality Assurance  The KBPT is participating in the Network of Bologna Promoters

Some recent qualifications Professor of Language and Literature – VII/1 Teacher of Language and Literature – VI Magister of Chemical Sciences – VII/2 Magister of Natural Sciences from the Field of Mathematics – VII/2 Electrical Engineer – VI Graduated Electrical Engineer – VII/1 Graduated Engineer of Agriculture – VII/1 Doctor of Medicine – VII/1 Doctor of Medical Sciences – VIII Doctor of Natural Sciences – VIII Graduated Lawyer – VII/1 Class Teacher - VI

Why qualification framework matters? Inputs Teachers, Curricula Structures Organizational issues, NQF, ECTS Processes Teaching approaches, QA Outputs Capacity to use knowledge for development Outcomes Knowledge society

Kosovo Qualification Framework Initiative launched in 2005 The Dublin Group Kosovo Parliament Line ministries (education, labour, industry) Social partners Civil Society Experts More attention paid to pre-tertiary education

Rationale for NQF Facilitating continuation and completion of essential education and training reforms, and ensuring the credibility and sustainability of such reforms; Improving quality and increasing flexibility in education and training; Providing a transparent and comprehensible framework to support the development of life long learning in Kosovo; Providing a catalyst for stimulating the development of standards and adaptation of qualifications to meet the needs of individuals and businesses;

NQF – Option 1

NQF – Option 2

Rationale for NQF Facilitating continuation and completion of essential education and training reforms, and ensuring the credibility and sustainability of such reforms; Improving quality and increasing flexibility in education and training; Providing a transparent and comprehensible framework to support the development of life long learning in Kosovo; Providing a catalyst for stimulating the development of standards and adaptation of qualifications to meet the needs of individuals and businesses;

NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY Status of the NQA Article The NQA shall be an independent public agency set up with the support of MEST acting with the agreement of the Office of the Prime Minister and other relevant ministries. 8.2 The NQA shall have the status of an entity legally responsible for its actions in accordance with the applicable laws of Kosovo, with an official seal and power to sue and be sued. 8.3 All decisions regarding the regulation of membership, functions, reporting and financial arrangements of the NQA which are set out in later sections of this law shall be made by MEST only with the agreement of the Office of the Prime Minister and the NQA member ministries. (From the Draft Law on Qualifications)

NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY Membership of the NQA Article The NQA shall have a Governing Board of 13 members approved by the Assembly of Kosovo. They will represent ministries, Social Partner organisations and public universities. 9.2 Members of the Governing Board shall be persons with acknowledged expertise relevant to the functions of the National Qualifications System. (From the Draft Law on Qualifications) Membership: 4 members from ministries 2 from universities 2 from social partners 1 from NGOs 1 from private sector 1 representing people with special needs

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF NQA RELATED TO THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK Design the NQF, by defining the levels of the Framework and the types and levels of, certificates and diplomas to be included, with the aims of facilitating progression and transfer between different learning pathways, and ensuring compatibility with the European Qualifications Framework; Establish criteria and processes for the approval of qualifications proposed for inclusion in the NQF; Approve qualifications for inclusion at defined levels of the framework and re-approve them as necessary;

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF NQA RELATED TO AWARDS OF QUALIFICATION Approve (and, as necessary, re-approve) standards, assessment and certification arrangements for each qualification in the NQF; Accredit, regulate and monitor assessment bodies, and bodies which carry out other functions on behalf of the NQA to ensure compliance with the requirements for each approved qualification; Carry out external quality assurance of assessments leading to the award of qualifications in the NQF; Carry out periodic evaluative reviews and international comparisons of qualifications provision;

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ASESSMENT BODIES Enrol and register candidates for qualifications; Assess candidates’ formal, non-formal and informal learning and maintain records of candidate assessments; Recognise credits achieved by candidates and enable their transfer; Implement internal quality assurance of assessments leading to approved qualifications, to ensure consistency in the application of standards; Issue qualification certificates or diplomas endorsed by the NQA; Report to the NQA on certificates or diplomas awarded to individual candidates; Assessment bodies shall be required to ensure access to assessment and certification for candidates other than those following specified education and training programmes, including candidates providing evidence of prior achievements acquired through non-formal or informal learning.

KQA PROPOSED BOARD STRUCTURE

KQA PROPOSED MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

ENSURING COMPARABILITY WITH EQF Enrol and register candidates for qualifications; Assess candidates’ formal, non-formal and informal learning and maintain records of candidate assessments; Recognise credits achieved by candidates and enable their transfer; Implement internal quality assurance of assessments leading to approved qualifications, to ensure consistency in the application of standards; Issue qualification certificates or diplomas endorsed by the NQA; Report to the NQA on certificates or diplomas awarded to individual candidates; Assessment bodies shall be required to ensure access to assessment and certification for candidates other than those following specified education and training programmes, including candidates providing evidence of prior achievements acquired through non-formal or informal learning.

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