Recognition 2010: the recognition agenda for the EHEA

1. Recognition 2010: the recognition agenda for the EHEA Bologna seminar Riga, 3-4 December 2004 Gunnar Vaht President of the ENIC Network gunnar@archimedes.ee

2. Outline of presentation • recognition in 2010 • national ENIC/NARIC in 2010 • the ENIC/NARIC networks in 2010

3. Recognition in 2010 • recognition of qualifications based on evaluation of learning outcomes • recognition of qualifications earned through lifelong learning paths and arrangements • no legal obstacles in recognition of TNE (incl. Joint Degrees) • links of recognition and quality assurance • substantial developments in information provision and strategies • recognition for labor market - more focus on recognition for the purpose of employment

4. ENIC/NARIC Charter • Joint ENIC/NARIC Charter of Activities and Services (approved by the Networks and by Lisbon Recognition Committee, June 2004) • The purpose of the charter is to assist ENIC and NARIC centres to better respond to the challenges posed by the changing of the recognition environment and to set up a legitimate operation framework for the work of the national centres. • The charter defines tasks and activities of the national ENIC/NARIC centre and the ENIC/NARIC networks.

5. National ENIC/NARIC in 2010 • Current situation at national level • there are still substantial differences in terms of structure, resources and competencies of different information centre • the assessment of every single detail in the inputs (list of subjects, number of hours, titles of subjects, length of learning) - looking for identity • the assessment of qualifications may take up to 1.5 years • problems with information provision, delayed answers to the inquires • in some cases the national ENIC/NARIC is just a contact person at Ministry of Education

6. National ENIC/NARIC in 2010 • Common tasks and activities of a national ENIC/NARIC centre (I) • provide adequate, reliable and authenticated information on qualifications, educational systems and recognition procedures to the partners and stakeholders • advice a formal decision on the recognition of qualifications on the basis of their assessment by applying existing criteria and procedures developed by the Networks

7. National ENIC/NARIC in 2010 • Common tasks and activities of a national ENIC/NARIC centre (II) • serve as the main information point on the recognition of higher education and access qualifications • cooperate with higher education institutions, quality assurance agencies, competent professional recognition authorities • contribute to higher education policy development and legislation at national, regional and European level

8. National ENIC/NARIC in 2010 • Common tasks and activities of a national ENIC/NARIC centre (III) • Collect and regularly update information on educational systems and qualifications in different countries, and their comparability to the qualifications in the home system. • promote a fair recognition of qualifications based on learning outcomes • focus more on recognition for the purpose of employment (non-regulated professions)

9. ENIC/NARIC Networks in 2010 • Networks will continue to do their utmost to make the EHEA a reality by 2010 • benchmarking, setting and promoting best practices, development and methodologies on recognition in line with the criteria and procedures defined in the Lisbon Recognition Convention • cooperation with quality assurance agencies and networks (ENQA) in order to establish a common framework • close cooperation with employers (and associations) to promote the needs of labor market • cooperation with other parts of the world in information provision about European Higher Education Area and recognition of qualifications