"The ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework: Guide to Quality Assurance in ASEAN 2015" Dr Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela Senior Specialist Southeast Asian Minsters of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH)

THE ASEAN QUALIFICATIONS REFERENCE FRAMEWORK The trend of economic globalisation, the cross-border movement of labour is also steadily increasing. The governments need to develop common and transparent regional standards as an important step towards enhancing student and labour mobility. This need can be clearly seen in the Asia-Pacific region, as the ASEAN Economic Community is expected to be established by 2015.

GOALS OF ASEAN NQF National Qualifications Frameworks for ASEAN that aims to harmonise regulatory arrangements between participating countries, which underpin the recognition of qualifications and quality of assurance of education provision through the development of mutually comparable national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) based on a common reference framework. 

Historical Notes Present AERP ASEAN MRAs Washington Accord 1996- 2000 Phil as a leader in MRA negotiation 2001-2012 -WTO GATTS APEC ASEAN EU UNESCO Present AERP ASEAN MRAs Washington Accord EU efforts (Bologna Accord)

What we have now: The Philippine Education System From 10 to 12

The PNQF: A promise!

Descriptors for various levels

Philippine NQF

Philippine NQF

Philippine NQF

Philippine NQF

Take on the ASEAN RQF The necessity of developing NQFs under a long-term and comprehensive reform strategy, attaching a high premium to related policy measures The need for quality assurance systems and teacher training The importance of fostering the deeper involvement and stronger capacity-building of all stakeholders in the NQF process, including development partners, employers and trade unions and all sectors of civil society.

Take on the ASEAN NQF Knowledge sharing - There should be a sustained efforts towards mutual learning among states must be intensified through peer reviews and peer learning. Dialogue- There is a need for sustained regional-level discussions on establishing a Regional Qualifications Framework

Pre-requisites for an ASEAN QF (RQF) The importance of government agencies support for the RQF for the successful development and implementation Legislation A national development strategy Adequate resourcing for RQF- budget appropriate How to promote cooperation of all stakeholders

Issues and Challenges Quality Assurance- Comparability of academic preparations Access to Information -Presence of National Information Center to offer to the Region Extent of Openness - flexibility of government for cross-border credentialing system Timeliness - acting proactively on the information required for accreditation and equivalency

Issue # 1: Quality Assurance Presence of accreditation system with globally accepted standards Philippines has a long history of leadership in accreditation Disparity in standards among accrediting bodies Low number of institutions with accreditation Having a regional affiliation in specific fields Cost and benefit of accreditation to the institutions and to the graduates

Issue # 2: Information Overseas Recognition bodies need a centralized Education Information Center UNESCO Toolkit on National Information Centers UNESCO Toolkit on the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications UNESCO Guidelines on Transnational and DOLDE The Philippines has no NIC yet- but CHED has committed in 2011 to set up one.

Issue # 3: Flexibility Making more HEIs flexible, open and innovative Comparability of Philippine higher education programs and standards CHED to continue to send experts to make our higher education programs comparable with international standards Institutions to harness technology for global comparability of educational programs and services Review of internationalization policies Restrictions in terms of legislation National legislations at times restricts MRA Making more HEIs flexible, open and innovative

Issue # 4- Timeliness Infrastructure support National regulations exists When to address the bottlenecks? Infrastructure support Promoting ICT-based solutions in a timely fashion Promoting cross-border exchange without limitations of “rank/level”- Process improvement in MRAs

Phil Response Curriculum Planning Development of Qualifications Qualifications Register Quality Assurance Accreditation of Education Providers Certification of graduates International Alignment

URGENT RESPONSE Need to have a dedicated champion to promote the cause of MRAs in the region. Need to have a sustained support and effort from HEIs, CHED, PRC and DOLE to promote Global Citizens who can share their talents freely whenever, wherever and whoever!!

For questions and resources: ethel@seamaeo-innotech.org Thank you!!!