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ASEAN Qualifications Framework: Current Architecture and Lessons Learnt from the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning Que Anh Dang ASEM LLL Hub ( asemLLL@dpu.dk ) Kuala Lumpur, 14-15 November 2011. 1. Outline. Context and Concept of NQFs and RQFs
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ASEAN Qualifications Framework: Current Architecture and Lessons Learnt from the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning Que Anh Dang ASEM LLL Hub (asemLLL@dpu.dk) Kuala Lumpur, 14-15 November 2011 1
Outline • Context and Concept of NQFs and RQFs • Charateristics of NQFs and RQFs • Interplay between NQFs and RQF • ASEAN QF: Rationales,Developments, Current Architecture and Challenges • EQF holds lessons for ASEAN QF 2
Political and Economic Context • NQF has its root in the Competence approach to vocational education • 1980s and 1990s: neo-liberal economic policies emphasized primary role of private sector and employers in the labour market. • Employment-led standards for (vocational) qualifications • Transfer control of vocational education from providers to employers 3
Political and Economic Context • From mid 1990s- 2000s: NQFs linked to lifelong learning, with a series of influential EU White papers • Accrediting all types of learning • Credit-based frameworks • Improve people’s employability • European-wide policies: Bologna Process (1999), Lisbon Strategy (2000), Copenhagen Process (2002) 4
Concepts of NQFs and RQFs • NQF: A set of principles and criteria to specify qualifications in terms of standards, levels and outcomes • RQF: an instrument for the development and classification of qualifications between countries 5
Characteristics of RQFs RQFs usually: • Have less regulatory and more communicative purpose • Include a wide range of sectors of education and training • Have may of national and regional policies, conventions, protocols supporting • Have limited, often voluntary institutional arrangements for governance and management 6
Characteristics • NQFs: • Often top-down decision of governments • Single set of criteria • Single hierarchy with level descriptors • Learning outcomes • A set of benchmarks for assessement • Transparent and portable 7
Partial and comprehensive frameworks • Scope: • Qualification type: vocational or academic, privately or publicly owned. • Qualification level: limited to higher education, or covers all levels • Qualifcation sector: occupational sector or a region 8
Stages of RQF Development • Exploring: awareness, understanding • Conceptualising: discussion papers • Testing: pilot sectoral projects • Implementing: legislation, funding • Reviewing: re-conceptualise, formal review 9
Interplay between NFQs and RQF • Prioritisation of NQF development • Prioritisation of Regional qualifications framework development • Parallel development of NQFs and RQF • Referencing process 10
European Qualifications Framework • Started in 2002, adopted in 2008 • 31 member countries • 8 levels in 3 domains: Knowledge, Skills and Competence • Key actors: European Commission, European Training Foundation, CEDEFOP, expert groups, EQF Advisory group, National Coordination Point 11
ASEAN Regional Qualifications Framework: Current Architecture • Enhancing Skills Recognition Systems in ASEAN (ASEAN Australia Programme, 2000-) • Regional Qualifications Framework in TVET: 4 levels of certificate, agreed by 5 ASEAN countries Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. • Education and Training Governance: Capacity Building for NQFs (ASEAN, Australia and NewZealand, 2011-) 14
ASEAN: 7 MRAs on sectoral qualifications(Mutual Recognition Arrangement) • Engineering Services (2005) • Architectual Services (2006) • Surveying Qualifications (2006) • Nursing Services (2006) • Medical Practitioners (2008) • Dental Practitioners (2008) • Accounting Services (2008) • (Source: Wongboonsin, 2010) 16
ASEAN Regional Qualifications Framework:Rationales and Charateristics • Regionalism/Regionalisation • Economic implications • Weak foundations • Disparate geographic spread • Political restraints • No coordinating body • Lack of experts 17
ASEAN RQF:Observations • Current enthusiasm- primarily driven by ideological and political forces • Pervasive role of donors and international agencies • ’Globalised’ competence-based approach: learning outcomes with different understandings 18
EQF holds lessons for ASEAN QF EQF: Political issue • political tool for regional integration • Not only a technical instrument implemented across countries, but also critical reform of qualifications systems and practices Administrative issue: • Coordinating bodies at regional and national levels • Methodologies for referencing process • Communication strategies • Zone of trust and mutual understanding Educational issue: - learning outcomes relate to assessment, curriculum and pedagogy 19
Food for thoughts • Do regional qualifications frameworks yield their benefits only when all or many countries have established NQFs? • Can regional qualification frameworks follow a prescriptive model and assume regulatory role given the power and heterogeneity of education and training systems in the countries within the region? • What potential and prospects exist (if any) to link EQF and ASEAN QF initiatives? • What further networking or agreements are desirable to develop articulation and acceptance between NQFs within and between the two regions? • Can these regional QFs be implemented if the concept of learning outcomes is still contested? 20