Self-certification of the NQFs of the Self-certification of the NQFs of the Netherlands and FlandersNetherlands and Flanders

27 November 2008

Mark FrederiksMark Frederiks

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ContentContent

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

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IntroductionIntroduction

- 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

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Higher education in the Netherlands and FlandersHigher education in the Netherlands and Flanders

- Key figures

The Netherlands 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

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Higher education in the Netherlands and FlandersHigher education in the Netherlands and Flanders

- Degree structure in the Netherlands

Bachelor’s programme (professional orientation)

-240 ECTS –- (Associate degree

120 ECTS)

Bachelor’s programme (academic orientation)

- 180 ECTS -

Master’s programme (professional orientation)

- min. 60 ECTS -

Secondary education

Master’s programme (academic orientation)

- min. 60 ECTS -

PhD programme- +/-4 years -

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Higher education in the Netherlands and FlandersHigher education in the Netherlands and Flanders

- Degree structure in Flanders

Bachelor’s programme (professional orientation)

- min. 180 ECTS -

Bachelor’s programme (academic orientation)

- 180 ECTS -

Secondary education

Master’s programme (academic orientation)

- min. 60 ECTS -

PhD programme- +/-4 years -

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Self-certification process (1)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

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Self-certification process (2)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)

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Composition of committeeComposition 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

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Terms of reference for committeeTerms 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

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Where are we now?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)- Recommendations

- Process expected to be finished in January 2009

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Some experiences and challengesSome 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!