Cooperation between the AsiaPacific and the Lisbon Recognition

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, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 2

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 Øhigher education, Øtertiary vocational education and Ørecognised higher education from other countries. Dublin, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education |3

Conventions on Recognition – the international legal framework Dublin, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 4

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, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 5

Regional conventions Region Europe Adoption Lisbon 1997, In force 1999 Official name Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region Dublin, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education |6

Regional conventions Region Africa 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, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education |7

Regional conventions Region Asia and the Pacific 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 Dublin, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education "Asia-Pacific" by Abrahamic Faiths - Own work. |8

Regional conventions – 2 nd 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, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 9

Dublin, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 10

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, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 11

Global Convention – tentative timeline December 2018 March / April 2019 November 2019 • Examination of draft by Special Committee • Submission of draft to Member States • Final draft presented to the 40 th General Conference for decision/adoption Dublin, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 12

Objectives of the (draft!) Global Convention Foster a better use of human and educational resources globally in view of promoting Promote, through the recognition of qualifications, inclusive and equitable access to education for development and contribute to structural, economical, technological, cultural, quality higher education andand support lifelong learningup-to-date, opportunities for all, including Promote the development sharing of accessible, reliable, transparent Promote and build capacities for reliability, consistency andsocieties. complementarity in quality democratic and social development for all persons forced to leave their country of origin. Provide a global framework for the inclusive, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, and relevant information between stakeholders, Parties and regions. assurance, qualifications frameworks the recognition of qualifications toholders, support inter. Foster trust andmobility confidence in mutual theand quality and integrity ofqualifications, including Facilitate global forreliable the benefit of societies, higher consistent, coherent and recognition of qualifications concerning higher regional mobility. through encouraging ethical practices inrelevant higher education institutions, academics, employers and other stakeholders of the Parties education that also upholds and protects the autonomy of higher education Support inter-regional initiatives, policies and innovations for international to the Convention by understanding and respecting the diversity of the Parties' higher institutions and respects the diversity ofeducation higher education systems. cooperation in higher Promote and strengthen international cooperation in higher education systems. Dublin, 18 th December 2018 Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 13

t s tru Global Convention - Overarching, normative - Facilitator! l a u t u m Seasonse Greetings! / c n e d i f on Documents adopted by the LRC Committee C Asia-Pacific -Normative, obligations and rights -NIC Dublin, 18 th December 2018 Mobility through -Recognition -Quality assurance -Information provision Recommendation on the Recognition of Criteria International use of. Recognition Qualifications Access forof Revised of Good Practice in. Procedures the Provision Revised Code Recommendation onand of Joint Qualifications. Held by Refugees, Displaced persons Framework the Qualifications Assessment in the of Recognition Foreign Qualifications of Foreign Transnational Education Degrees and Persons in a Refugee-like situation Qualifications LRC -Normative, obligations and rights -NIC Asia-Europe Forum on Quality & Recognition in Transnational Higher Education 14