POLICY ON RECOGNITION/EQUIVALENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS April 2006
MAURITIUS QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY POLICY ON RECOGNITION/EQUIVALENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS 1.0 INTRODUCTION As per the Education and Training (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2005, the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA) has the statutory responsibility to determine the recognition and equivalence of qualifications other than those obtained in the Primary, Secondary and Post-Secondary educational sectors. The Policy is inspired by the principles of access to the world of work and subsequently to lifelong learning. It is based on the Lisbon Convention on the recognition of qualifications (Lisbon 11.IV.1997) and on the principles stipulated in the UNESCO/Council of Europe Code of Practice in the provision of transnational education. The policy has also been benchmarked against best practices available in European countries as well as South Africa and New Zealand. 2.0 OBJECTIVE In the current milieu of economic globalization and the internationalism of education, learner and worker mobility more than ever requires the recognition of qualifications across borders. Qualification obtained in the education and training system of one country is still not necessarily known in another. From the point of view of qualification holders wishing to enter either education and training, or the job market in a country other than the one in which their qualification had been obtained, the recognition of their qualifications usually needs to be taken care of before such entry can take effect. From another perspective, prospective recipients of foreign qualifications into home systems are faced with the need to understand foreign credentials as accurately as possible and therefore be in a position to recognise them. 1
Based on above, the objectives of this policy are to: (1) Organise an overall system of technical and vocational qualifications through the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) that can respond with efficiency and transparency to social and economic demands (2) Favour lifelong learning (3) Be in the line with active policies for employment and foster the free circulation of learners and workforce. 3.0 DEFINITION OF RECOGNITION AND EQUIVALENCE 3.1 Recognition of qualifications is a process of evaluating and validating qualifications thereby giving the holder of the qualification the right to be considered for admission to further/higher education and/or employment activities. 3.2 Equivalence of qualifications is a process of formally establishing that two qualifications are of comparable standard or level with a view to access to educational and/or employment activities. 4.0 METHODOLOGY 4.1 All applications are considered by the Recognition and Equivalence Committee. The process utilized for establishing Recognition/Equivalence is based on criteria as per International norms with a view to maintain consistency of procedures as well as transparency. 1) Entry requirements 2) Detailed course content and course structure 3) Course duration/notional hours of learning 4) Mode of learning 5) Mode of assessment/examination 6) The year the qualification was awarded 2
7) Reason for seeking recognition/equivalence 8) Any precedent decision of the recognition/equivalence of the qualification given in Mauritius 9) Recognition in the country of origin of the qualification should be one of the pre- conditions for recognition. 10) Comparability of qualifications with the level descriptors of the National Qualifications Framework. 11) Other competent recognition authorities such as National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) for the UK be considered in determining recognition. 12) Recognition/Equivalence should not be linked to any specific purpose nor should be stated while informing applicant. 4.2 Consideration will also be given to existing protocol between countries 5.0 RECOGNITION AND EQUIVALENCE COMMITTEE The Committee will comprise the following persons: (1) The Director of the MQA (Chairperson) (2) One representative from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources (3) One representative from the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (4) One representative from the Ministry of Civil Service & Administrative Reforms (5) One representative from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation. (6) A pool of expert/s in the relevant field (Co-opted). (7) Manager, Qualification Evaluation Services (Secretary) 6.0 MODE OF APPLICATION 6.1 For the purpose of recognition/equivalence of technical and vocational qualifications, an applicant should submit the following to the MQA: 3
(1) A duly filled MQA prescribed application form (Annex 1) with the appropriate fee. (2) Authentication and translation of documents, wherever applicable. (3) Copies of certificate(s) for which recognition/equivalence is (are) being sought (4) Details of the programme followed including syllabus and transcripts. (5) Description of the mode of assessment. (6) Marriage certificate or any legal document showing change of name, if applicable. 6.2 Application should be submitted in person at the MQA during office hours and originals of the qualifications for which recognition/equivalence is being sought should be produced. The Officer of the MQA receiving the application would verify the originals and return the originals to the applicant with acknowledgement of receipt of the application. 6.3 The qualification to which equivalence is being sought should be a local / NQF qualification. Note: The above excludes qualifications appearing in existing protocols between Mauritius and other countries. 7.0 DECISION 7.1 Applicant will be informed of the decision of the MQA within 2 months of receipt of the complete application and supporting documents. 7.2 Decision would be either: (1) To recognise and/or give equivalence, or to (2) reject by stating the reasons for the decision. 4
8.0 APPEAL In the event that the applicant decides to appeal against the decision, an application should be lodged within 14 days of the receipt of the decision specifying the decision being appealed against, the grounds for appeal and the remedy being sought. The application will be considered anew by an Appeal Committee set up by the MQA Board. The decision of the Appeal Committee shall be final. 9.0 PAYMENT A non-refundable fee of Rs 1300 will be charged per qualification for which recognition is sought and a non-refundable fee of Rs 1300 per qualification for which equivalence is sought. A non-refundable fee of Rs 2000 will be charged at the time of lodging an application for appeal. However, the applicant has to specify the reasons for appeal and provide any alternative solution to the Appeal Committee. 5