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This workshop explores criteria for evaluating foreign qualifications in higher education, covering access qualifications, assessment procedures, translations, transnational activities, and combating fraudulent documents.
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Credential evaluation – criteria and procedure Workshop: Boosting quality: International Credential Evaluation and Higher Education Quality Assessment in SSH (PHOENIX) Bishkek, 13-14 April 2006 Gunnar Vaht Head of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC
The purpose of assessment of foreign qualification • Higher education institution • in admission to HEI • in continue of studies on next stage • in transfer of credits • employment of teacher candidates • Employer • what is the level of qualification • higher- or vocational qualification? • what is a speciality? • is the degree at master´s level?
Assessment criteria - access qualifications • I Assessment of institution • acceptance of the institution and curricula by competent authority of home country • in case of international qualification - is it awarded by the official international organisation (for example - IBO) • in case of “overseas” qualification - is it officially established and approved by the competent authorities • II Assessment of qualification • type of curricula (general, specialised or vocationally oriented) • (nominal duration) • subjects, content and amount • results of studies, examinations, marks; central level examination(s)? • status of qualification and rights in home country (is the qualification eligible to higher education)
Assessment criteria - higher education qualifications • I Assessment of institution • type of institution - HEI or vocational school, university of professional HEI, private or public, etc • quality assurance/accreditation • status and recognition of institution in home country • II Assessment of qualification • access requirements (previous education) • field of study - specialisation • content (subjects), practice, research, graduation requirements • nominal duration, capacity of study program - number of credits • access to further studies • professional status/rights in labor market • Learning outcomes
Outcome of assessment • Recommendation for recognition • comparison, the corresponding qualification • access to the same rights as to the holders of national corresponding qualification
Assessment procedure • Information to applicants • acknowledgment of the receipt of their application • standardised information on the procedure and criteria for the assessment of qualification (required documents, translations, principles and criteria of assessment, fee, time, status of the evaluation statement) • advice applicants about the possibilities and procedures for submitting application • information on educational systems and legal acts, on principles of recognition
Translations • Acceptance of as much languages as possible without translations • Many countries or institutions issues the documents (diplomas, transcripts, Diploma Supplement) in two languages • As a rule, titles of foreign qualifications should be provided in the original language, without translation • For example the degrees “Bakalaureus”, “Master” and “Doctorandus” from different higher education systems are corresponding qualifications. The result of translations may give a wrong value and recognition decision to the qualification
Translations • PROBLEMS • direct translations of terminology • terminology is not correct • additions in the translations • omissions in the translations • general quality of translations is insufficent
Assessment of transnational qualifications • Program articulation (joint degrees) • Branch campuses in other territory • Franchising • Off-shore institutions (no “parent” institution, but belong to the educational system of another country) • distance learning • virtual arrangements
Transnational activities and assessment of qualifications • Quality assurance • Many “international” or “foreign” programs at national HEI and promotion of foreign degree - BA, MSc, MBA etc • Joint study programs and joint degrees • “European” or “International” universities (College of Europe, Central European University, European University) • Non-recognised “studies” at diploma mills
Fraudulent documents • Diploma mills (no study program, no license, no study, earn degree on 48 hours!) • Incompetent institutions (legal institution but offer education at the level with no license (higher education program at training or consultation centre) • Licensed but not accredited (quality assured) • Unofficial degrees (recognised HEI, but degree awarded against the national legislation framework) • Forgeries • Altered credentials or credentials filled incorrectly