Post on 27-Mar-2015
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!