Aligning National against European Qualification Frameworks Conclusions and Recommendations Bologna Conference Tbilisi State University November 27-28,

Aligning National against Aligning National against European Qualification European Qualification FrameworksFrameworks

Conclusions and RecommendationsConclusions and RecommendationsBologna Conference Bologna Conference

Tbilisi State UniversityTbilisi State UniversityNovember 27-28, 2008November 27-28, 2008

Věra Šťastná, Charles University Věra Šťastná, Charles University PraguePrague

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Expectations forExpectations for– Overarching Framework for Qualifications Overarching Framework for Qualifications

in the in the EHEAEHEA– National qualification frameworks National qualification frameworks

Self-certificationSelf-certification– Lessons learnedLessons learned

ChallengesChallenges RecommendationsRecommendations

– National authoritiesNational authorities– HEIsHEIs– European level – BolognaEuropean level – Bologna Process Process

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Overarching Framework for Overarching Framework for Qualifications in the Qualifications in the EHEA EHEA (QF-EHEA)- expectations(QF-EHEA)- expectations more transparency into EHEA more transparency into EHEA

– accommodation of the existing accommodation of the existing transparency tools (ECTS)transparency tools (ECTS)

llearning outcomes based methodology earning outcomes based methodology - mutual understanding and use - mutual understanding and use contribute to easier recognition contribute to easier recognition (academic and possibly professional)(academic and possibly professional)

facilitating recognition and smoother facilitating recognition and smoother mobilitymobility

joint degreesjoint degrees

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Any advantages of the QF-EHEA can Any advantages of the QF-EHEA can become reality only if there are become reality only if there are national frameworks for national frameworks for qualifications established and the qualifications established and the relation between the national levels relation between the national levels and European levels have been and European levels have been clearly defined, described and clearly defined, described and validated in a trustful, validated in a trustful, internationally recognised way. internationally recognised way.

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National Framework for National Framework for Qualifications - expectationsQualifications - expectations (1)(1) for „national“ impactfor „national“ impact

– know better own systemknow better own system– more transparencymore transparency– evaluation of restructuralisation of degree evaluation of restructuralisation of degree

programmes based on learning outcomes programmes based on learning outcomes methodology - innovation methodology - innovation

– improvement/enhancement of qualityimprovement/enhancement of quality– chance to involve all stakeholders and chance to involve all stakeholders and

improve/develop in systemic way the improve/develop in systemic way the dialogue with employersdialogue with employers

– improved employabilityimproved employability– more educational paths will be opened more educational paths will be opened

including those for non traditional learnersincluding those for non traditional learners

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National Framework for National Framework for Qualifications – expectationsQualifications – expectations

(2)(2) for „international“ impactfor „international“ impact

– facilitating recognitionfacilitating recognition– smoother mobility of students and smoother mobility of students and

academicsacademics– more transparency in EHEAmore transparency in EHEA– quality enhancementquality enhancement

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National Framework for National Framework for Qualifications – importantQualifications – important

All existing higher education qualifications All existing higher education qualifications within a given system be included (dialogue within a given system be included (dialogue between higher and vocational education)between higher and vocational education)

Admission and progression Admission and progression requirements/possibilities includedrequirements/possibilities included

Accommodation of the existing transparency Accommodation of the existing transparency tools (ECTS, DS)tools (ECTS, DS)

Links to quality assurance system – (better if Links to quality assurance system – (better if national quality assurance system verified national quality assurance system verified internationally)internationally)

Dynamic tool – space for development Dynamic tool – space for development together with the higher education systemtogether with the higher education system

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National framework QF-EHEA

closest to the operational reality; it allows for description of all specificities within the national system

provides the broad structure within which national qualifications frameworks will be developed and allows diversity within these limits

owned by national system

facilitates movement between systems

ultimately determines what qualifications learners will earn

ensures compatibility among different national frameworks for qualifications – serves as a “translation tool”

describe the qualifications within a given education system and how they interlink

presents a common face of “Bologna/EHEA qualifications” to the rest of the world

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Why do we need self-Why do we need self-certification?certification? Verifying compatibility of NQF and QF-EHEAVerifying compatibility of NQF and QF-EHEA Showing the others that „my own“ NQF is Showing the others that „my own“ NQF is

compatible with QF-EHEA, consequently with compatible with QF-EHEA, consequently with others NQFsothers NQFs

Transparency – mutual understandingTransparency – mutual understanding International participation - credibility – International participation - credibility –

promotion of trust promotion of trust Improvement of qualityImprovement of quality Consequently facilitation of recognition, Consequently facilitation of recognition,

promotion of mobility of students and promotion of mobility of students and academicsacademics

Improved „European“ employabilityImproved „European“ employability

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Experiences so farExperiences so far

Self-certified against existing set of criteria and Self-certified against existing set of criteria and procedures (WG on QF report, 2005)procedures (WG on QF report, 2005)– ? Are there still valid or do they need reconciled?? Are there still valid or do they need reconciled?

Criteria and procedures for self-certification be Criteria and procedures for self-certification be taken into account since the beginning when taken into account since the beginning when developing NQFdeveloping NQF

Useful to co-operate – similar legal traditions, Useful to co-operate – similar legal traditions, regional cooperation, … but with due regard to regional cooperation, … but with due regard to overall European understanding of issues overall European understanding of issues

Learn from the others - avoid the same Learn from the others - avoid the same mistakes.mistakes.

But transfer only what is transferable!!! (always But transfer only what is transferable!!! (always check what works in what circumstances)check what works in what circumstances)

Open and fair description of what does not fit Open and fair description of what does not fit fully the European references fully the European references

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Content of the self-certification Content of the self-certification reports used so farreports used so far

Contextual informationContextual information Description of the higher education systemsDescription of the higher education systems

– Admission requirements to all levelsAdmission requirements to all levels– Progression in the system – which paths are open and which Progression in the system – which paths are open and which

are blindare blind– All qualifications and degree awardsAll qualifications and degree awards, , academic degrees academic degrees

(titles)(titles)– How the quality assurance is maintained-How the quality assurance is maintained- bodies bodies

responsibleresponsible,, how they operate how they operate,, is is quality assurance in line quality assurance in line with the European Standards and Guidelineswith the European Standards and Guidelines??

– If there are systems of credits others than ECTS- how do If there are systems of credits others than ECTS- how do they operate?they operate?

– Etc.Etc. Verification of the self-certification criteriaVerification of the self-certification criteria Verification of the self-certification proceduresVerification of the self-certification procedures Comparison of the Dublin descriptors with the award-type Comparison of the Dublin descriptors with the award-type

descriptors in the descriptors in the NQFNQF ConclusionConclusion Annex - GlossaryAnnex - Glossary

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Challenges – NQFsChallenges – NQFs (1) (1)

Do we not expect too much from QFs? Do we Do we not expect too much from QFs? Do we not overestimate their possibilities?not overestimate their possibilities?

How many layers of descriptors should the NQF How many layers of descriptors should the NQF involve?involve?– National – relatively very general descriptorsNational – relatively very general descriptors– Learning outcomes of degree programmes (modules)Learning outcomes of degree programmes (modules)Or sectoral level in between? If yes, how to Or sectoral level in between? If yes, how to

accommodate all European initiatives? Tuning, accommodate all European initiatives? Tuning, professional organisations (music, chemistry, professional organisations (music, chemistry, veterinary sciences, ….?veterinary sciences, ….?

What is their place in EQF?What is their place in EQF?– non-degree certificates and consequent non-degree certificates and consequent

qualifications?qualifications?– Pre-Bologna degrees?Pre-Bologna degrees?

Distinction between academic and professional Distinction between academic and professional necessary?necessary?

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Challenges – NQFsChallenges – NQFs (2) (2)

If we highlight our differences shall the If we highlight our differences shall the NQFs still serve transparencyNQFs still serve transparency??

And could they really facilitate And could they really facilitate recognition?recognition?– Learning outcomes related to 2nd cycle Learning outcomes related to 2nd cycle

(Master's) level unless the total of 300 (Master's) level unless the total of 300 ECTS was earned by the graduate?ECTS was earned by the graduate?

Do we know how to work with learning Do we know how to work with learning outcomes? And do we know how to outcomes? And do we know how to relate ECTrelate ECTSS credits to learning credits to learning outcomes?outcomes?

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Challenges – Challenges – self-certificationself-certification Openness - How can the most difficult issues Openness - How can the most difficult issues

be brought out?be brought out?– Transparency X protecting one’s own systemTransparency X protecting one’s own system

How do we deal with disagreementsHow do we deal with disagreements– between national self-certification and international between national self-certification and international

experts opinion?experts opinion?– between international experts?between international experts?

Who is the „God“ to decide?Who is the „God“ to decide? How to deal with self-certification reports How to deal with self-certification reports

which are not credible?which are not credible? Differences in national settings – in legal Differences in national settings – in legal

basis, understanding of Lbasis, understanding of LOOs, stress on formal s, stress on formal procedures X content, structures for procedures X content, structures for implementation,…implementation,…??

Diversity in national approaches?Diversity in national approaches?

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Challenges – Challenges – international international credibilitycredibility We will have at least 48 NQFs – ultimately We will have at least 48 NQFs – ultimately

national responsibilitynational responsibility:: no „European no „European harmonisation“harmonisation“! W! What is needed for creation hat is needed for creation one European system of themone European system of them??

How to ensure enough international expertsHow to ensure enough international experts?? How to ensure common approach and common How to ensure common approach and common

methodology used by international experts?methodology used by international experts? How we deal with the fact that countries of EU How we deal with the fact that countries of EU

can chose between two compatible but slightly can chose between two compatible but slightly different frameworks? different frameworks? – Compatible but slightly different criteria and Compatible but slightly different criteria and

procedures for self-certification/ referencingprocedures for self-certification/ referencing– Two sets of structures – emerging under EU and Two sets of structures – emerging under EU and

under Bolognaunder Bologna– Double bureaucracy, work and costs or mutual Double bureaucracy, work and costs or mutual

recognition and use? recognition and use?

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European “QF learning European “QF learning paths” – or “learning paths” – or “learning curve”?curve”? Need of coordination at EHEA levelNeed of coordination at EHEA level

– Coordination groupCoordination group– Network of national QF coordinators?Network of national QF coordinators?– Web pageWeb page

Need coordination QF-EHEA and Need coordination QF-EHEA and EQF-LLLEQF-LLL

Diploma SupplementDiploma Supplement

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Recommendations to Recommendations to national authorities (1)national authorities (1)National authorities shouldNational authorities should focus on communication with and focus on communication with and

involvement of all relevant stakeholders involvement of all relevant stakeholders (HEIs, students, employers-do not forget (HEIs, students, employers-do not forget SMEs, QA experts, ENICs/ NARICs,…) SMEs, QA experts, ENICs/ NARICs,…)

pay attention that all stakeholders involved pay attention that all stakeholders involved understand why the NQF is needed and what understand why the NQF is needed and what are their benefits;are their benefits;

not to rush -not to rush - implementation takes TIME; implementation takes TIME; necessary to complete NQFs soon, more necessary to complete NQFs soon, more important to do it wellimportant to do it well;;

Take into account international Take into account international developments (Bologna, EU)developments (Bologna, EU)

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Recommendations Recommendations to national authorities to national authorities (2)(2)National authorities should (National authorities should (continuation)continuation) take into account the self-certification with take into account the self-certification with

international participation since international participation since the the very beginning of very beginning of establishment of NQF as establishment of NQF as conditioconditio sine qua nonsine qua non

prepare all documents in both mother tongue as well prepare all documents in both mother tongue as well as foreign widely understood languageas foreign widely understood language (English) (English)

ensure that quality assurance mechanisms in line with ensure that quality assurance mechanisms in line with ESG are part of NQFsESG are part of NQFs

look for synergieslook for synergies between EQF and QF-EHEA and between EQF and QF-EHEA and establish one NQF for higher education compatible establish one NQF for higher education compatible with bothwith both

follow the agreed set of criteria and standards for self-follow the agreed set of criteria and standards for self-certificationcertification

have in mind that development of NQFs costs money have in mind that development of NQFs costs money and provide funds for itand provide funds for it

create direct as well as indirect incentives for HEIs to create direct as well as indirect incentives for HEIs to be able to implement the learning outcomes be able to implement the learning outcomes methodology methodology

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Recommendations to Recommendations to HEIsHEIs

HEIs should HEIs should be actively looking for involvement, be actively looking for involvement,

otherwise somebody else will prepare otherwise somebody else will prepare standards for them;standards for them;

create networks in which they could create networks in which they could cooperate on discipline specific cooperate on discipline specific descriptors with employers, national descriptors with employers, national authorities, quality assurance experts, authorities, quality assurance experts, students, alumni,….students, alumni,….

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Recommendations Recommendations to European level (1)to European level (1)As OFs are one of the main issues in the EHEA the BFUG As OFs are one of the main issues in the EHEA the BFUG

shouldshould maintain them on the agendamaintain them on the agenda continue the coordination of their development at the continue the coordination of their development at the

Bologna level and use the existing and newly emerging Bologna level and use the existing and newly emerging structures under the leadership of the Council of Europestructures under the leadership of the Council of Europe– prolong the mandate of the Coordination group established prolong the mandate of the Coordination group established

by the BFUGby the BFUG– network of national QF correspondents which can build on network of national QF correspondents which can build on

the informal contacts, personal contacts and mutual trustthe informal contacts, personal contacts and mutual trust– web page with information both in mother tongues and web page with information both in mother tongues and

English accessible through the Bologna web pageEnglish accessible through the Bologna web page organise platforms for exchange experiences in full organise platforms for exchange experiences in full

Bologna context – mainly to avoid „discrepancies“ Bologna context – mainly to avoid „discrepancies“ among countries in information flowamong countries in information flow

make all efforts for all to understand in the same waymake all efforts for all to understand in the same way– emphases on terminology emphases on terminology – the glossary possibly developedthe glossary possibly developed

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Recommendations Recommendations to European level (2)to European level (2)To have credible NQFs in the EHEA the BFUG To have credible NQFs in the EHEA the BFUG

shouldshould create a network of international experts the create a network of international experts the

countries could use for self-certificationcountries could use for self-certification– The experts should be familiar with the HE system and The experts should be familiar with the HE system and

developments in the country they assessdevelopments in the country they assess– The experts should as much as possible be trained in The experts should as much as possible be trained in

in the methodology in more foreign languagesin the methodology in more foreign languages elaborate reference points and guidelines the elaborate reference points and guidelines the

experts could use for verification of NQF experts could use for verification of NQF building on existing experience with self-building on existing experience with self-

certification and existing set of criteria and certification and existing set of criteria and procedures elaborate a check list for self-procedures elaborate a check list for self-certification process built on existing certification process built on existing experiencesexperiences

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Recommendations Recommendations to European level (to European level (33))The European Commission and Bologna Process should The European Commission and Bologna Process should

continue co-operation to continue co-operation to facilitate dialogue between different parts of facilitate dialogue between different parts of

education, in particular to remove obstacles in education, in particular to remove obstacles in dialogue between VET and higher educationdialogue between VET and higher education

build on synergies between QF-EHEA and EQF to build on synergies between QF-EHEA and EQF to create conditions for national authorities to establish create conditions for national authorities to establish one NQF for higher education compatible with both one NQF for higher education compatible with both existing QFsexisting QFs ( (make life of all - national governments, make life of all - national governments, HEIs, QA bodies and in particular students and HEIs, QA bodies and in particular students and employers easieremployers easier))

avoid to concentrate exclusively at „its own“ QFavoid to concentrate exclusively at „its own“ QF follow good co-operation used e.g. for referencing/self-follow good co-operation used e.g. for referencing/self-

certification process to be able mutually recognise certification process to be able mutually recognise results of self -certification and referencing processesresults of self -certification and referencing processes

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Recommendations Recommendations to European level (to European level (44))

The European Commission shouldThe European Commission should continue the Bologna Experts projects and continue the Bologna Experts projects and

make maximum use of the projects make maximum use of the projects existing under both LLLP and Tempus existing under both LLLP and Tempus programmes; programmes;

enable training seminars for both enable training seminars for both „Erasmus“ and „Tempus“ Bologna experts „Erasmus“ and „Tempus“ Bologna experts to facilitate integrated approach and to facilitate integrated approach and maximum exchange of experiencemaximum exchange of experience

To BFUGTo BFUG Repeat this conference in 2-3 years to see Repeat this conference in 2-3 years to see

the developmentthe development

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Concluding remarksConcluding remarks

In spite of all pessimism and difficult In spite of all pessimism and difficult issues the QFs are important instrumentissues the QFs are important instrument

They have to be developed for the use They have to be developed for the use of stakeholders, in particular the of stakeholders, in particular the students and employers. i.e. with full students and employers. i.e. with full responsibility and honestlyresponsibility and honestly

Balance between political decision and Balance between political decision and expert advise should be sought carefully expert advise should be sought carefully

We need transparency on difficult We need transparency on difficult issues, nobody has all the answersissues, nobody has all the answers