1. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Recognition of Foreign Qualifications Concerning Further Education – The European Approach
and
Methodology of Creation of the Manual for HEIs
Dženan Omanović
Centre for Information and Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education
Bihac/6 September 2016
Project number: EPP BE-EPPKA2-CBHE-SP
"This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein"

2. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
ENIC/NARIC Networks
Two networks for the same objective  fair recognition!
NARIC network
Established in 1984: National Academic Recognition Information Centres in the European Union created by the European Commission
ENIC network
Established in 1997: European Network of National Information Centres on academic recognition and mobility created by the Council of Europe and UNESCO to implement the Lisbon Recognition Convention and to develop policy and practice for the recognition of qualifications
Networks supported by
Three Secretariats  European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO
ENIC Bureau and NARIC Advisory Board  to reinforce the role of the Networks (re-elected every 2 years, members are elected at the anual Joint Meeting of the ENIC/NARIC Networks)

3. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
ENIC/NARIC Networks
Centres
NARIC
Auatria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germania
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Island
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Centres
ENIC
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Australia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada
Georgia
Holy See
Israel
Kazakhstan
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
New Zealand
Russian Federation
San Marino
Serbia
Switzerland
The Former Yugoslavia Republic Macedonia
Turkey
Ukranie
USA

4. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Purposes of Networks
The two networks work together to enhance mobility and improve academic recognition of diplomas by :
Sharing information on the educational systems of the member countries
Sharing information on foreign educational systems, diplomas and degrees issued in countries of other regions
Sharing and disseminating good recognition practice in line with the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC)
But, the scope of work of the centers may be different from one country to another

5. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Purposes of Networks
Very efficient and performing networks:
Annual networks meetings
Cooperation/participation in common projects
Funding by European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO
Trust as basis for the networks!
AND common information and communication tools!

6. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Purposes of Networks
ENICs and NARICs = main provider of authoritative information
User-oriented, including individuals, HEIs, QAAs, public authorities, etc.
Might be the recognition competent authority
Contribute to policy developments
Have the appropriate resources (staff, ICTs, documentation, etc.)
But still great diversity in terms of competences (information vs. recognition), outcomes (advice vs. decision), structures (agency-like vs. ministerial dpt.), scope (technical vs. policy) and resources

7. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Purposes of Networks
Starting point = share information and increase cooperation
1999: development of a common website and ListServers, under the coordination of the ELCORE Group
ELCORE Group oversees the operations of the ENIC-NARIC Website and the ListServers and develop proposals
: decision to review completely the website
With EU funded-project led by Italian NARIC, CIMEA
With the monitoring/decision of the ELCORE Group
Objectives: to develop a content management tool; to modernise the visual identity; to design and manage a new structure and content; to answer the needs of all stakeholders
Official launch in June 2014:

8. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Purposes of Networks
web pages of the interest

9. Recognition and Bologna Process
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Recognition and Bologna Process
Recognition has been at the heart of the Bologna Process (BP) since its inception
Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) as only binding text of the BP
Strategic objective to make ‘full’ mobility as a reality
Diversification of HE systems, institutions and programmes
Thus, recognition as main outcome of the structural reforms and main instrument for an ‘open’ EHEA
Thus, need to re-think recognition at systemic level, not individual level (no more equivalence, nostrification, etc.)

10. Recognition and Bologna Process
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Recognition and Bologna Process
Unfortunately, recognition is still at the heart of the Bologna Process
Main obstacles for mobility
Common agreement but different interpretation on the main principles for recognition, despite the LRC
Diversity in recognition approaches/practices
Some ‘protectionist’ attitudes
Recognition is seen as technical issue, not policy-related
Thus, (automatic?) recognition should remain a main objective of the Bologna Process
Thus, again in 2015, through the Yerevan Communiqué, the European ministers committed themselves to recognition

11. Recognition and Bologna Process
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Recognition and Bologna Process
Yerevan Communiqué
Documents adopted
The revised Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG)
The European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes
The revised ECTS Users’ Guide, as an official EHEA document

12. Recognition and Bologna Process
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Recognition and Bologna Process
Yerevan Communiqué
Documents adopted
Revised ESG
1.4 Student admission, progression, recognition and certification
Standard:
Institutions should consistently apply pre-defined and published regulations covering all phases of the student “life cycle”, e.g. student admission, progression, recognition and certification.
Guidelines (part of 1.4): Fair recognition of higher education qualifications, periods of study and prior learning, including the recognition of non-formal and informal learning, are essential components for ensuring the students’ progress in their studies, while promoting mobility. Appropriate recognition procedures rely on:
- institutional practice for recognition being in line with the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention;
- cooperation with other institutions, quality assurance agencies and the national ENIC/NARIC centre with a view to ensuring coherent recognition across the country.

13. Recognition and Bologna Process
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Recognition and Bologna Process
Yerevan Communiqué
Commitments (provisions concerning recognition)
to review national legislations with a view to fully complying with the Lisbon Recognition Convention, reporting to the Bologna Secretariat by the end of 2016, and asking the Convention Committee, in cooperation with the ENIC and NARIC Networks, to prepare an analysis of the reports by the end of 2017, taking due account of the monitoring of the Convention carried out by the Convention Committee
to remove obstacles to the recognition of prior learning for the purposes of providing access to higher education programmes and facilitating the award of qualifications on the basis of prior learning, as well as encouraging higher education institutions to improve their capacity to recognize prior learning

14. Lisbon Recognition Convention
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Lisbon Recognition Convention
The Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) was adopted and opened for signatures in Lisbon on April 11th 1997.
In the years following the adoption of the LRC, subsidiary texts were added, in order to give more detailed recommendations and to serve as guidance for institutions and credential evaluators.
The LRC has a central position in policy and political initiatives regarding recognition in the European region.
The LRC forms the basis of and sets standards for recognition procedures in the European region.
The LRC lays down the fundamental principles of the fair recognition of qualifications and periods of study.

15. Lisbon Recognition Convention
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Lisbon Recognition Convention
The main recognition documents
The Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (Lisbon Recognition Convention) (1997)
Recommendation on Criteria and Procedures for the Assessment of Foreign Qualifications and Explanatory Memorandum (2001, revised in 2010)
Joint ENIC/NARIC Charter of Activities and Services  (2004)
Recommendation on the Use of Qualifications Frameworks in the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications (2013)
All documents, unofficial translated, can be found at the web page of the Centre:

16. Lisbon Recognition Convention
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Lisbon Recognition Convention
Spirit and main principles of the LRC:
Reinforcing education as a human right
Promoting academic mobility
Respecting institutional autonomy
Fair assessment of foreign qualifications
No discrimination
Recognition of qualifications and periods of study in a flexible way (only substantial differences should lead to partial recognition)
Existence of a national information centre
Possibility to appeal

17. Academic Recognition Procedures in Practice
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Academic Recognition Procedures in Practice
The most students apply directly to the higher education institution of their choice and thus enter the institutional admissions process.
Academic recognition may take place at various levels within a higher education institution.
In countries with an active national recognition information centre, it may be possible for admissions officers to ask such a centre for information on a particular foreign qualification, or even for a written evaluation.
Such services are also provided by commercial organizations operating on an international basis.
Admissions officers may do their own research into the foreign qualification, by
using the information tools available on the Internet or in printed form, and by using the expertise already available at their institution.

18. European Recognition Manual for HEI
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
European Recognition Manual for HEI
This manual is the result of the European Area of Recognition – A Manual for the Higher Education Institutions (EAR HEI) project.
The ‘EAR HEI’ manual is based on the European Area of Recognition (EAR) manual published in 2012 recommended by the ministers of Higher Education of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in the Bologna Bucharest Communiqué (April 2012).
Manual aimed to assist credential evaluators and admissions officers in higher education institutions in practicing fair recognition.
It is the only European recognition manual for credential evaluators and admissions officers that presents commonly agreed – upon best practice based on the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

19. Content of European Recognition Manual for HEI
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Content of European Recognition Manual for HEI
Manual consists of six parts + an overview of the main sources and references used per chapter and an index, each part building further on the other parts.
Every part has got flowchart + recommendations + practical examples
The firts part (Intoduction to Recognition) provides better understanding of recognition by discussing the legal framework, recognition structures and diversity in recognition procedures and education systems.
The second part (The Evaluation Process) discusses the aspects to be taken into account in the evaluation process:
- the accreditation and quality assurance of the institution that awarded the qualification;
- verifying the authenticity of the qualification;
- determining the purpose of recognition;
- establishing the learning outcomes of the degree programme;
- considering the credits and grades obtained;
- recognizing the qualification unless there is a substantial difference and lastly;
- if applicable, granting partial recognition and providing the right of the applicant to appeal against the decision.

20. Content of European Recognition Manual for HEI
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Content of European Recognition Manual for HEI
The third part (Institutional Recognition Practices) focuses on what is needed for the recognition process to run smoothly and to be fair.
The fourth part (Information Instruments), provides the sources to be used in the evaluation process.
Part five (Specific Types of Qualifications) presents specific types of qualifications that may be encountered in the recognition process, such as joint degrees and qualifications that involve flexible learning paths or transnational education.
Part six is reserved for recommendations regarding periods of study abroad. Unlike the previous chapters dealing with diploma mobility, this part considers credit mobility.

21. Conclusion to the EAR HEI Manual
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Conclusion to the EAR HEI Manual
Trust, trust and trust!
Recognition is not only a technical issue but should be at the centre of HE policies as well as HEI policies
Link recognition developments with other policy areas, mainly qualifications frameworks, quality assurance and especially mobility
Make use of the cooperation with other regions and countries

22. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS based on EAR HEI Manual
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS based on EAR HEI Manual
It is urgent for all authorities to harmonize their regulations with LRC;
Term "nostrification" should be phased out because it is directly opposite to the LRC;
Recognition procedures should be transparent, simplified with clear steps, documents, criteria, responsibilities and rights;
Recognition rules and procedures should be available to applicants (most preferable on the web page of the recognition bodies;
Foreign qualifications shall be recognized unless there is a substantial difference;
Recognition fees shouldn't be higher than the real costs for carrying out recognition procedures
The right to appeal against the decision shoud be guaranteed for all applicants.

23. Work package 2 Recognition mechanisms
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Work package 2 Recognition mechanisms
Description
This WP aims to develop a B&H recognition model for Higher Education institutions for practising fair recognition according to the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention, its subsidiary documents, latest EAR HEI Manual and the UNESCO Recommendation on the Recognition of Studies and Qualifications in Higher Education.
Tasks
- Education of B&H partners for recognition model,
- Development of B&H recognition model,
- Comparative analysis between BH partners of all documents developed within this WP
Leading Organization
Centre for Information and Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education

24. What has been already done (concerning recognition model)
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Work package 2 Strategic internationalization and recognition mechanisms
What has been already done (concerning recognition model)
Glossary of the most used recognition terms was done and published at the official web page of the Project ( ;
Questionnaire Recognition of Qualifications at Public Higher Education Institutions in BiH was done (in English), translated (by Higher Education Accreditation Agency of Republika Srpska) and sent to higher education institutions;

25. What should be done (Proposed by Centre)
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Work package 2 Strategic internationalization and recognition mechanisms
What should be done (Proposed by Centre)
Analysing of the fulfilled Questionnaire "Recognition of Qualifications at Public Higher Education Institutions„ by the representatives of the Centre, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska and the University of Sarajevo (...);
Creating of the comprehensive SWOT analysis;
Development of the Recognition Model;
Discussing the proposed Recognition Model by all partners.

26. MAIN OBSTACLE (S) TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECOGNITION MODEL
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
MAIN OBSTACLE (S) TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECOGNITION MODEL
Harmonization of legislation will not be done during a "Project life; ??

27. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
...and finally....
END
THANK YOU 