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The Norwegian Approach to the
Recognition of Refugees’ Qualifications
Joachim Gümüs Kallevig
Head of Information
Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
(NOKUT)
Topics
• What is NOKUT?
• Recognition – more than a technical exercise
• General recognition
• Tools and recognition procedures - relevance for
and interaction with HEIs:
I. UVD - Recognition Procedure for Persons with
Insufficient / Non-Verifiable Documentation
II. Students at Risk
III. (European) Qualification Passport for Refugees
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees` Qualifications
NOKUT’s mandate
External quality assurance of Norwegian education
o NOKUT conducts quality assurance and contributes
to quality enhancement of education provided by
Norwegian higher education institutions and tertiary
vocational colleges
Recognition of foreign education qualifications
o NOKUT recognises foreign higher education
qualifications in response to applications by individuals,
and provides information about international education
systems and the Norwegian system for recognition of
foreign qualifications
•National Contact Point for EU Directive on the recognition of
professional qualifications
•National Contact Point for for NQF / EQF
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Quality Assurance – Recognition – Qualifications Frameworks
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Before we get into technical details...
• Recognition of a qualification is…
…more than a technical exercise
…more than a preparation for further studies or
employment
…recognition of the human behind the
qualification
• Early recognition of refugees’ qualifications is a key
to build inclusive societies
• Inclusion – empowerment – participation
• Reduce the risk of (social, political, economical)
alienation
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
International obligations
• The Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications
concerning Higher Education in the European Region
(The Lisbon Convention), Article VII.
• Recommendations stated in the European Area of
Recognition Manual, Chapter 12: Refugees
• More than a moral obligation
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Article 7 - RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS HELD BY
REFUGEES, DISPLACED PERSONS AND PERSONS IN A REFUGEE
- LIKE SITUATION
Each Party shall take all feasible and reasonable steps
within the framework of its education system and in
conformity with its constitutional, legal, and regulatory
provisions to develop procedures designed to assess fairly
and expeditiously whether refugees, displaced persons
and persons in a refugee-like situation fulfill the
relevant requirements for access to higher education, to
further higher education programmes or to
employment activities, even in cases in which the
qualifications obtained in one of the Parties cannot be
proven through documentary evidence.
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Norwegian experience
2005: Special recognition procedure for refugees - responsibility of
Norwegian higher education institutions
2011-12: Pilot project on the recognition of foreign higher education
qualifications for persons with incomplete documentation,
initiated and completed on commission from the Norwegian
Ministry of Education and Research (KD)
2013: Recognition procedure for persons without verifiable
documentation (UVD-procedure)
2014: UVD-methodology as a crucial element in SiU’s ‘Students at Risk’
scheme
2015: NOKUT launches idea of a multi-national action on recognition of
refugees’ qualifications – European Qualification Passport for
Refugees
2016: NOKUT’s qualification passport for refugees
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
General Recognition
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
NOKUT’s General Recognition
In order for NOKUT to assess a qualification awarded
in a foreign country:
• The application must be adequately documented
and if necessary verified by the place of study or the
authorities in the country of origin
• The link between identity and the education
documents must be substantiated
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
NOKUT considers
• the status of the educational
institution and the
qualification in the country
where the education was
received,
• the length of the program,
• the level of the program
Verification if necessary
NOKUT’s decision
• informs about the length of
the program,
• the number of credits the
program is worth, and
• the corresponding Norwegian
academic degree for the
program, given it exists
Equivalent/comparable, or
not identicalThe Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
NOKUT’s General Recognition
What if you can’t submit the required
documentation or if the documentation is
insufficient?
Applicants with foreign higher education, that is
education at the level of university/university
college, who cannot be granted general recognition
due to missing, insufficient or unverifiable
documentation are referred to the Recognition
Procedure for Persons without Verifiable
Documentation (UVD-procedure)
About 250 applicants/year
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
UVD
Recognition Procedure for Applicants with Insufficient /
Non-Verifiable Documentation
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
UVD – Background I
Special recognition procedure for refugees since
2005 - Responsibility of Norwegian higher education
institutions (tests, interview)
2005 – 2010: This scheme unfortunately did not
work as intended, in particular with regard to:
equal treatment of the applicants
quality assurance of the assessment processes
status of the final document
Recognition Procedure for Persons with Insufficient / Non-Verifiable Documentation| 14 04.05.2016
UVD – Background II
Pilot project 2011-2012 – initiated and completed on commission from the
Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research
• Develop an improved procedure for the recognition of higher education
qualifications for persons who apply for general recognition, but whose
applications are rejected because they have no possibility of documenting
or verifying their qualifications in a satisfactory manner
• Ensure that persons are able to be acknowledged for their qualifications on
the Norwegian labour market
Joint project between NOKUT and Norwegian higher education institutions:
Recognition Procedure for Persons with Insufficient / Non-Verifiable Documentation| 15
NOKUT
• Application for general recognition
HEIs
• Expert assessment
NOKUT
• Final decision on general recognition
04.05.2016
UVD – Methodology
• Centralized national procedure;
• Standardized procedures for mapping/surveying of
applicant’s educational background;
• Standardized interviews;
• Standardized process for expert assessment;
• Country profile expertise
• Ensures equal treatment
• Society will more rapidly benefit from the
applicants competences
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Recognition procedure for persons without
verifiable documentation – an alternative way to
recognition of qualification
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Application for general recognition
- Assessment of documentation
- Verification, if necessary
Legally binding
decision on recognition as
on par with Norwegian
highereducation
Mapping of applicant’s background
NOKUT’s assessment/level
placement of qualifications
Assessment by expert committee
appointed by NOKUT
Ordinary process for NOKUT's general recognition
Recognititon procedure for persons without verifiable
documentation
The Model of Recognition
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Stage 1
• Application for general recognition and referral to recognition procedure for persons without verifiable documentation
Stage 2• Mapping of applicant’s background and assessment of result
Stage 3
• NOKUT’s assessment/level placement of qualifications and setting up of a committee of experts
Stage 4• Assessment by expert committee appointed by NOKUT
Stage 5
• Final assessment / NOKUT’s decision on general recognition and filing in archives
Joseph
University of Kinshasa,
DRC
• 1994: Licence en
Sciences Economiques
• 1996: Diplôme
d’Etudes Approfondies
en Economie et
Finance Internationale
• 1998: Diplôme
d’Etudes Approfondies
en Gestion et
Management Qualite
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
• Applied for NOKUT's general recognition in
January 2014
• Was not able to provide a single document for his
three degrees
• Referred to the recognition procedure for applicants
with insufficient / non-verifiable documentation
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Stage 1
• Application for general recognition and referral to recognition procedure for persons without verifiable documentation
Questionnaire: reconstruction/ detalied description
of all three degrees
… he filled 40 pages with descriptions of courses
Statement of language profficiency in Norwegian
His level of proficiency was verified during the preliminary
interview
Residence permit in Norway
All three requirements were satisfied
He continued to the next stage
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Stage 2
• Mapping of applicant’s background and assessment of result
He was not able to provide NOKUT with any document
whatsoever
NOKUT cross checked the information given by him to
provide as acurate information for the committee as
possible
o Does/did the educational institution exist? Is/was it
accredited/officially recognized? Does/did it have Faculty of
Economic Sciences?
o Does/did educational institution provide these programs?
o What is/was the scope of the programmes?
o Does NOKUT have any available sources of information about
the courses in the programs?
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Stage 3
• NOKUT’s level placement of qualifications and the setting up of a committee of experts
International databases
UK NARIC, AEI, ANABIN
NOKUT’s own database
NOKUT’s archive – any well documented files from
this institution?
NOKUT’s library
Assistance from ENIC-NARIC offices
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Stage 3
• NOKUT’s level placement of qualifications and the setting up of a committee of experts
The committee consisted of two professors and
one representative from NOKUT
The committee were provided with the following
documentation:• Questionnaire filled in by the applicant
• NOKUT’s level placement of his degrees
• Information about the education system in DRC
• Copies of transcripts from similar files (to see content of the
academic program)
• Applicant’s CV, reference letters
• Draft for the final report
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Stage 4• Assessment by expert committee appointed by NOKUT
Home assignment (3 days)
Interviewed by the committee (2 hours)
The report (5 pages) had a clear conclusion on
whether or not the applicant has the stated
degrees:
«The candidate passed the exam. The experts
were impressed by the candidate’s abilities and
overall knowledge. There is clear evidence that
the degrees were completed by the candidate.»
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Stage 4• Assessment by expert committee appointed by NOKUT
• 1994: Licence en
Sciences Economiques
• 1996: Diplôme
d’Etudes Approfondies
en Economie et
Finance Internationale
• 1998: Diplôme
d’Etudes Approfondies
en Gestion et
Management Qualite
• 1994: Bachelor’s
degree (3 years/180
ECTS)
• 1996: Master’s degree
(2 years/120 ECTS)
• 1998: Master’s degree
(2 years/120 ECTS)
= 7 years higher
education/ 420 ECTS
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Stage 5
• Final assessment / NOKUT’s decision on general recognition and filing in archives
Does it work?
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Survey of applicants 2013-2014
• 2013: 52 % got a relevant job or were admitted to HEI
• 2014: 49 % found NOKUT's recognition helpful when
applying for jobs or studies in Norway
• 84 % were satisfied with the recognition scheme
• 92 % would recommend the recognition scheme to others
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Norwegian experience
• The process is time consuming for the
applicant
• The process requires motivation and active
participation from the applicant
• It is an expensive procedure
Yet, the results from the survey indicate that the
procedure has a high economic value for the
Norwegian economy and society
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Students at Risk
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Students at Risk
• Purpose of the program: To advance human and
civil rights
• Students who are expelled from HEIs due to
human rights activism can apply for a scholarship
to complete their studies in Norway
• Financed by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA)
• Partners – SIU, MFA (embassies), HEIs, NOKUT
• First students (20) were admitted 2015
• From 2016 40 students annually
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Student at Risk – NOKUT’s role I
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
The embassy screens the student’s «political situation» (level of risk due to human rights/civil activism)
NOKUT receives an application package
NOKUT see if the desired study program is matching the student’s academic background
NOKUT contacts the applicant for the admissions procedure
Student at Risk – NOKUT’s role II
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Academic records (transcripts, diploma etc.) are complete
Higher Education Institution
Academic records are incomplete
Adjusted Recognition Procedure for Persons without Verifiable
Documentation
NOKUT cooperates with HEIs to screen the student’s academic background
(interview/skype, testing etc.)
HEI is admitting the student
European Qualifications’ Passport for
Refugees
The current situation demonstrates that newly-arrived refugees need a
similar opportunity
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Current challenges and possible solutions
Current refugee crisis concerns the European states,
but
• Different legislation
• Different assessment practices
• Different financial situation
• Different labour markets
• Different number of refugees
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
European Qualification Passport for Refugees –
a common, fast, effective and easily implementable
solution
What could it be?
• A document containing advisory statement concerning refugees’ qualification(s).
• A document which provides necessary information about the refugee’s
educational and training background, which will enable the relevant authorities in
any European country to better organize for the realization of the refugees’ plans
for the future with respect to work and further education
Who is it for?
The European Qualification Passport for Refugees is issued to newly arrived
refugees
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Syria? Iraq? Egypt? Higher education? Completed?
Bachelor? Master? Title? Qualification?...
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
European Qualification Passport for
Refugees Passport No.
47XXXXXX
Date of issue
28.10.2015
Date of expiry
28.10.2018
Family name
MGiven name
SoniaPrevious name, if any
N/A
Date of birth
01.01.1982
Sex Country of origin, place of birth
F Syria, Homs
Signature
Sonia M
Educational background / highest educational qualification
achieved
2005: Bachelor of Civil Engineering, University
of Damascus, Syria (4 years higher education)
Additional information
2005-2013: Project Assistant, Homs Building
dep., Syria
Language proficiency
Native language: Arabic
Other languages: English, French
National education system (description of the educational
system in the country where the highest qualification was taken)
Information/guidance on further recognition procedures available
from ENIC-NARIC offices. Link to the ENIC-NARIC website
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
NOKUT’s qualification passport for
refugees
• Trial run
(February-April
2016)
• First passport
issued 24.
February 2016
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Some conclusions
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Norwegian experience
Centralized scheme is an advantage:
• Standardized procedures
Equal treatment of candidates
• Applicants have just one liason body to
deal with
• NOKUT with its central role builds up
expertise
Less time-consuming and more
efficient processes
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Norwegian experience
Why NOKUT’s general recognition and not
academic equivalence at the HEIs?
Not all foreign degrees can be given academic
equivalence with the programs existing at Norwegian
HEIs
• Old degrees
• Lower level of degrees compared to Norwegian
standard, e.g. engineering
• The combination of subjects etc.
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Norwegian experience
Why NOKUT’s general recognition and not
academic equivalence at the HEIs?
Important for the applicants to receive an official
document (statement of comparability) which confirms
that it has been verified that the qualification in essence
provides competence equivalent to a Norwegian course
of study at the same level
Cost effective and practical to use the system for
NOKUT's general recognition
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
NOKUT’s way ahead
• Continue to use Norway as a laboratory of
recognition practices
• NOKUT will coordinate the project on development
of a toolkit for recognition of refugees’
qualifications;
• NOKUT is willing to share extensive experience
and ideas on implementation of recognition
schemes for refugees;
• NOKUT welcomes multi-national action on
recognition of refugees’ qualifications
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications
Thank you for your attention!
www.nokut.no
The Norwegian Approach to the Recognition of Refugees`Qualifications