“Articulating the work on NQF, QA and recognition”

JULY 2008, Cetinje

National qualification network

National Framework of Qualifications can be defined as the totality of the different levels of qualifications defined by the qualification criteria and indicating the acquired competences needed for the accomplishment of the activity.

The specific characteristics of the

qualification levels are shaped by the national education system and the labour market of the country.

Expected results

Completed NQF for 6th, 7th and 8th reference levelsNQF will include:

- Learning outcomes- Student competencies and skills- Increased readability and transparency of

degrees - Provision of information for students and

employers- Instrument for curriculum design and

quality assurance

How many levels there should be n NQF of Montenegro

The first four levels of qualifications include the qualifications acquired in the initial vocational/general education and training institutions. The levels from 6 to 8 encompass the qualifications acquired in the higher education institutions.The fifth level of qualifications is the intermediary level between the levels of vocational qualifications and the levels of higher education qualifications

Some open questions

Different duration of bechelor studies at the University

Undefined absorbtion possibility of employment market

The issue of old diplomas issued at the University

Regulated professions

Alignment with the old NQF

Key Changes in HE in Montenegro

Centralized University

University has status of legal entity

Introduction of QA

Internal and external evaluation

Introduction of three–cycle system

Introduction of ECTS, Diploma Supplement

This academic year, the fourth generation of students study in accordance with BD principles

Financing of HE in Montenegro

There is dual track financing

Of overall number of students some 40 % do not pay tuition fees, while others pay between 250 and

500 EUR per term, depending on the study profile According to our Law, Ministry of Education and Science is about to prepare draft on regulation of HE financing

Current discussions are oriented towards inclusion of social dimension with regard to tuition fees

Specificities

There are two types of study organized at the University of Montenegro:

* Academic (obtaining bachelor, master and doctoral degree)

*Applied (obtaining bachelor, master)

Vocationally oriented study programs (applied) are run under the umbrella of University

Specificities

After 3 years – Diploma of undergraduate academic/applied study and Bachelor degree

( BSc; BApp; BA)After 3+1 – Diploma of postgraduate specialist academic/applied study and Degree of Specialist ( Spec.Sci ; Spec.App; Spec.A)After 3+1+1 or 3+2, 3+1+2 -Diploma of postgraduate master academic/applied study and Degree of Master

( MSc; MApp; MA)After 3+1+1+3 – Diploma of Doctoral study (PhD) Degree - Doctor of Science

Specificities

This study year 75 study programs are performed at the University of Montenegro

(comprises 17 faculties, four institutes) * 60 academic study programs *15 applied study programs

At the first private University “MEDITERAN’’ (comprises 6 faculties) are performed

* 10 academic study programs

At five individual private faculties are performed * 10 academic study programs * 3 applied study programs (cooperation with Lovisenberg College, Oslo)

Students

Total number of students at the University of Montenegro~20.000 including

undergraduate - 14.760 ( 82% of total number) postgraduate (specialist and master)- 3.111 (17,3%) doctoral - 107 ( 0,7%)

Total number of students at the University of Mediteran~1.600Total number of students at the five individual private faculties~988.

Average costs of budget student at University of Montenegro 2.723 €

Average costs of student at University of Montenegro-2.723 €

The most expensive is budget student at Faculty of Arts 11.132 €

Council for Higher Education

The national body responsible for Higher Education

Council is nominated by the Government

Council analyses the state and achievements in higher education

It gives professional proposals to the Government for the improvement of higher education

Quality assurance in Montenegro

QA is an obligation for HE institutions

QA must be permanent. Is it?

Continuous internal self-evaluation?

Independent external control?

External quality assessment of the University of Montenegro was performed by Commission appointed by Council

The Commission consisted of international experts of EUA

Reaccreaditation was performed in accordance with Guideline of reaccreaditation of higher education and study programs delivered by Council of Higher Education

University of Montenegro is the first reaccreadited institution in the Region

Comission recommandations

Approval, monitoring and periodic reviews of programmes and awards

Institutions should have formal mechanisms for the approval, periodic review and monitoring of their programmes and awards

Assessment of students Students should be assessed using published

criteria, regulations and procedures which are applied consistently

Establishment of ENIC

2003- formal establishment

2004- ratification of Lisbon Recognition Convention

2006-07- Tempus project “development of ENIC in Montenegro”

January 2008, New Law on Recognition and validation on Educational Certificates

Who is responsible?

Ministry of Education and Science, ENIC center- employment purposes

Higher education institution-continuation of education

Situation before the new Law

Nostrification procedure at the University

Nostrification commissions

Nostrification is expensive

Nostrification procedure lasts longer

Difficulties in accessing the labour market

Major novelties in new Law

Recognition instead of nostrification

Shared responsabilities in the recognition procedure

Establishment of ENIC center-ENIC/NARIC activities and tasks defined in Joint ENIC/NARIC Charter

Lower costs of recognition

Recognition procedure for the purpose of employment

Submission of necessary documentation

Checking the accreditation of the institution issuing diploma

Checking the validity of diploma

Recognition of obtained degree of education

Issuing the certification on recognition

Challenges

-Creation on New Law on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for the purpose of entering the labor market in Montenegro

-Defining the list of regulated professions-Establishment of professional bodies

responsible for issuing licenses for regulated professions