Foreign Qualifications Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory ServicesEvaluation and Advisory Services

Nadina CoetzeeDirector: FQEAS

Foreign QualificationsForeign QualificationsEvaluation and Advisory ServicesEvaluation and Advisory Services

• HSRC Act, 23 of 1968:Evaluation of educational qualifications

• SAQA Act 58 of 1995Evaluation of (foreign) qualifications; NQF environment

• NQF Act, 67 of 2008Foreign Qualifications: Evaluation and Advisory Service

•Compares foreign with South African qualifications•Determines appropriate levels of recognition in SA•Guides appropriate placement

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: verification of authenticityverification of authenticity

• Current practice◦ Evaluation accounts for, but does not guarantee

authenticity of qualification documents◦ Reliance on expertise◦ Investigation of suspect cases◦ Standard procedure

submission of original documentscontact with issuing bodiesdisclosure of fraudulent activity

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: verification of authenticityverification of authenticityverification of authenticity

• Medium term (January 2010)◦ Intention to meet DPSA request◦ High level appointments◦ Details will be made known

• Long term◦ Possible extension to all applications

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: verification of authenticityverification of authenticityverification of authenticity

In lieu of, orsupplementary to

evaluation?

Foreign qualifications:Foreign qualifications:evaluationevaluation

Supports informeddecision-making:

• Provides for first level screening

◦ Face value quality

◦ Status of institutions & qualifications

Knightsbridge UniversityPacific Western University Cambridge

University Madison University Newport University Preston UniversityInternational Management Centres etc etc

etc etc etc etc

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: evaluationevaluationevaluation

Supports informeddecision-making:

• Prevents incorrect assumptions

◦ Substantial differences

◦ Misleading translations

DiplomaHonours degree

Oxford / Cambridge MA

Bachelier / Bachillerato /

Baccalaureat =“Bachelor’s degree”

Meister / other titles =“Master’s degree”

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: evaluationevaluationevaluation

Format of advice• Covering letter• SAQA Certificate of Evaluation:

◦ Name and date of birth of qualification holder◦ Title(s) of qualification(s)◦ Name & status of issuing body / bodies◦ Documentation submitted◦ Analysis according to key features◦ Placement recommendation (closest comparable SA

qualification / qualification type and NQF level)◦ Proviso(s) / comment(s)◦ Record of additional learning

Foreign qualifications:Foreign qualifications:Foreign qualifications:evaluationevaluationevaluation

• Security features◦ Security hologram with

unique serial number (linked to a single reference number)

◦ Printed background◦ Unique reference / case

number (can be verified against SAQA records) (format YYMMDD-0000)

◦ Two original signatures (can be verified)

Evaluation of foreign qualifications:Evaluation of foreign qualifications:

ProcessProcess

• Early notification:verifypublicservice@saqa.org.za

Application form (www.saqa.org.za)

• Application procedure

Qualification documents

Payment

Application formApplication form

1 Qualification Holder 2 Applicant2b Evaluation results3 Purpose________________________

4 Qualification documents4a General4b Specific

Provide complete, correct and clear informationand instructions

5 Products and servicesTariffs & payment methods

5b Banking details: sponsor6 Signed declaration: applicant

Follow guidelinesComply with requirements

QualificationQualificationdocumentsdocuments

• Complete, legible• Originals x copies• Notarial certificates only supporting• Foreign languages & translations• [Official school leaving results]• Higher education

- final award / confirmation of- transcripts of academic record- [sub-qualifications]

PaymentPayment

• Certificate of Evaluationrequired within◦ 48 hours◦ 10 days◦ 20 days ◦ 30 days

• Duplicate certificate• Results to be posted (traceable, local)• Reactivation of earlier application• Refund• Cancellation of application

R1390R790R590R390

R20R35R50R33R130

Evaluation of foreign qualifications:Evaluation of foreign qualifications:Evaluation of foreign qualifications:

ProcessProcessProcess

• ncoetzee@saqa.org.za• 012 431 5004

• tpotgieter@saqa.org.za• 012 431 5

Delivery & enquiries:

• Nadina Coetzee

• Tronie Potgieter

DirectorateForeign QualificationsEvaluation and Advisory Services

Official documentsOfficial documents

Final awardsActual certificate,diploma or degree Official statement that the

candidate qualified for the award

Qualified or not?

Transcripts

Transcripts

TranslationsTranslations