Which differences are really substantial?

EUA, in partnership with Crue, HRK and Nuffic, organised an online focus group on 19 October. The event was organised in the context of the “Spotlight on recognition” project and was dedicated to key issues in the field of academic recognition.

The focus group, taking place from 10.00 to 16.00 CET, was hosted by EUA and was open to staff of EUA member institutions, who are involved with designing, managing or implementing the recognition of qualifications. The event entitled “Which differences are really substantial?” was an opportunity to exchange with peers on an evergreen in the field of academic recognition: The Lisbon Recognition Convention stipulates that a qualification shall be recognised “unless a substantial difference can be shown between the general requirements for access in the Party in which the qualification was obtained and in the Party in which recognition of the qualification is sought” (Article IV.1). The text does not, however, provide a definition of substantial differences (unlike the more recent Global Recognition Convention). Focus group participants were thus invited to share how their institutions define substantial differences and approach the topic in practice.

The event was also an opportunity to test a self-assessment methodology for institutional staff developed within the “Spotlight on recognition” project, which aimed to allow staff to evaluate to which degree the recognition procedures in place at their institution are in line with the Lisbon Recognition Convention and international good practice. Participants received key materials and questions in advance and should be prepared to contribute actively to the discussions.

This focus group was followed by an online workshop on 21 October entitled “Academic recognition in the EHEA: challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the Bologna Process commitments in Spain” and a second online focus group on 29-30 November, entitled “The potential of digitally facilitated recognition procedures”. All events were free of charge.

For questions, please send an email to academicrecognition@eua.eu To stay up to date on other activities of the “Spotlight on recognition” project, join the Academic recognition in the European Higher Education Area LinkedIn group, subscribe to EUA’s recognition mailing list and/or follow #SPOT_EU on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The content of this webpage represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.

Comfortable read mode Normal mode X