1. Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications
WESTERN BALKAN PLATFORM ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING,
BRUSSELS, 26TH JUNE 2018

2. WG RAQ – Why and Who
Working group on recognition of academic qualifications – WG RAQ
Berlin process
RCC and ERI SEE
Mobility component MAP REA: commitment to removing obstacles to mobility of highly qualified workforce through joint standards and procedures for automatic recognition of quality-assured academic qualifications
WGRAQ: implementation, monitoring, reporting on actions aimed at meeting the MAP REA goals
Members: Ministries of education, ENIC NARIC offices, QA bodies
Meetings: December 2017, March 2018, June 2018, next meeting - end October 2018
Joint regional activities

3. WG RAQ – Goals In line with the MAP commitments/goals:
Drafting proposal on model for automatic/fast-track recognition of higher education qualifications specifying criteria for fast track recognition in the region (the Model)
Adoption and implementation of the Model by 2020
Establishing an operational sub-regional network of ENIC/NARIC centres
Developing a joint online information system: sharing information, including on higher education institutions, qualifications and decisions taken; available to ENIC/NARIC centres and Ministries in the region
Strengthening cooperation and exchange of information between Quality Assurance bodies in the region

4. How? 1. Key Principles on Recognition of Academic Qualifications
Agreed draft of Key principles on recognition of academic qualifications
- Emphasis on transparent and fair procedures, in line with the LRC
- Emphasis on trust, based on QA and accreditation, in line with the ESG
Emphasis on cooperation (ministries, ENIC/NARIC, QA bodies) and easy, reliable and trustworthy exchange of information
Next steps:
The Model and procedures for fast-track recognition in the WB6

5. How? 2. Joint Exercise on Recognition of Academic Qualifications
Objective:
to identify and analyse similarities/differences in academic recognition procedures and outcomes between the Western Balkans;
On the basis of similarities/differences suggest further joint action
including the development of joint guides to assist the ENIC/NARIC offices in recognition procedures.
Cases for the joint exercise provided (around 45) – including different cases – short cycle degrees, non-university type of institutions, pre- Bologna degrees, on-line or distance learning degeres, joint degerees; with the initiative of including migrant qualifications
Next steps
Consolidation of the cases
Desk processing and analysis of cases
Identification of steps and procedures, similarities and differences in approaching concrete, same cases cases
Report on results
Guide for fast-track recognition
Feeding into the Model and procedures for fast-track recognition in the WB6
How? 2. Joint Exercise on Recognition of Academic Qualifications

6. How? 3. Joint Information System
Purpose:
Overview of the HE systems in the region
Facilitation of the recognition process
Enhancing mobility for the purpose of employment and education
Register of accredited institutions and programmes
Register of the decisions taken in the accreditation process
Register of the processed qualifications
Communication between the ministries, ENIC/NARIC offices; and QA bodies
Concept and structure agreed
Next steps:
Terms of reference, contracting, data collecting
First version: end October
Testing version
How? 3. Joint Information System

7. Thank you for your attention