Self-certification of the NQFs of the Netherlands and Flanders 27 November 2008 Mark Frederiks
Content 1. Introduction 2. Higher education in the Netherlands and Flanders 3. Self-certification process 4. Composition of committee 5. Terms of reference of committee 6. Where are we now? 7. Experiences and challenges 2
Introduction - BaMa structure in 2002-2003 - To be recognised each BaMa programme needs to be accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders; NVAO founded by Treaty - Dublin descriptors and ECTS are part of accreditation frameworks 3
Higher education in the Netherlands and Flanders - Key figures The Netherl ands Flanders Total Inhabitants >16 million 6 million >22 million Universities 22 (14 + 8) 15 (7 + 8) 37 Hogescholen 104 (44 + 60) 22 (22 + 0) 126 Students >570 000 >170 000 >740 000 Programmes >3000 >1600 >4600 4
Higher education in the Netherlands and Flanders - Degree structure in the Netherlands PhD programme - +/-4 years - Master s programme (professional orientation) - min. 60 ECTS - Master s programme (academic orientation) - min. 60 ECTS - Bachelor s programme (professional orientation) -240 ECTS - (Associate degree 120 ECTS) Secondary education Bachelor s programme (academic orientation) - 180 ECTS - 5
Higher education in the Netherlands and Flanders - Degree structure in Flanders PhD programme - +/-4 years - Master s programme (academic orientation) - min. 60 ECTS - Bachelor s programme (professional orientation) - min. 180 ECTS - Bachelor s programme (academic orientation) - 180 ECTS - Secondary education 6
Self-certification process (1) - BaMa structure, HE laws, accreditation frameworks based on European qualification framework - No need for development of new NQF but what was needed was a thorough description and an external verification by independent international experts - Development of NQF document started in 2005-2006 in NL and recently in FL - In NL stakeholders were from the start involved, in FL more recently - In FL qualification structure according to EU framework has political priority, in NL Bologna comes first 7
Self-certification process (2) - NL and FL wanted an external verification in 2008 - Over Summer the decision by the Ministries to carry out a joint Dutch-Flemish procedure was taken; one co-ordination meeting in Brussels - 1 Committee to verify the Dutch and Flemish NQF - NVAO to co-ordinate the procedure - NVAO installs committee, composition agreed with Ministries - Joint funding of NVAO procedure (60% NL, 40% FL; same funding arrangement as for NVAO) 8
Composition of committee - 1 European expert on qualification frameworks: - Bryan Maguire (Chair) - 1 European expert from ENIC/NARICs: - Carita Blomqvist - 1 expert outside of Europe: - Sandra Elman - 1 Dutch expert: - Cees Karssen - 1 Flemish expert: - Luc Francois - 1 experienced and independent secretary: - Jindra Divis 9
Terms of reference for committee - Main task: to verify whether Dutch and Flemish NQFs are compatible with overarching framework EHEA - Conclusions to be based on the 7 criteria - Recommendations regarding further development of NQFs possible - Review of NQF documents and meetings with Dutch and Flemish stakeholders - One report for NL and one for FL to be sent to NVAO - NVAO Board establishes whether: - Reports follow terms of reference, agreed procedure and whether reports address each of 7 criteria - If positive: Stated agreement by NVAO & reports to Ministries 10
Where are we now? - Committee composed in September 2008 - NQF documents to Committee in October - Site visits in The Hague and Brussels on November 5-7 - Meetings with all stakeholders during site visits - Committee is now writing the reports: - Description - Conclusions on criteria - Issues raised (stakeholders) - Recommendati ons - Process expected to be finished in January 2009 11
Some experiences and challenges - Time pressure (documents, dates site visits, no prior Committee meeting) - Dutch & Flemish NQF documents & development different - Communication with other countries was limited - What is obvious in national context might not be obvious internationally and is not always stated - Stakeholders may use interviews for political statements; committee should focus on current situation and not on future possibilities - Difficult to meet with employers & unions - 7 criteria are clear; status of Bologna recommendations not - All in all process went well; binational model can work! 12