“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