The second webinar of the EUA series "Toward Tirana 2024, the Bologna Process and developments in the EHEA" provided an overview of relevant documents and development in the field of academic recognition, i.e. recognition of qualifications and study periods for educational purposes. This event took place on 16 January 2024, from 14.00 to 15.00 CET.

Ever since the adoption of the UNESCO/Council of Europe Lisbon Recognition Convention in 1997, significant strides have been made in the European Higher Education Area (and beyond) towards fair, consistent and transparent recognition procedures. The Convention, which stipulates the basic principles for the recognition of qualifications and study periods among its signatories, is the only legal tool of the Bologna Process. However, it is far from the only milestone in supporting the Bologna Process’ vision of a Europe in which learners can move freely, without undue obstacles to their learning progress.

This webinar provided an overview of the most relevant developments and tools in academic recognition, from the 1997 Lisbon Recognition Convention to the 2018 Council Recommendation on promoting automatic mutual recognition and the 2019 Global Recognition Convention, which came into force in 2023. The event also reflected on some of the key issues that will shape the future of automatic recognition, such as the implications of artificial intelligence and micro-credentials.

Speakers:

• Katia Dolgova-Dreyer, Programme coordinator, Co-operation and Capacity building, Education Department, Council of Europe
• Vanja Gutovic, Secretary to the Global Recognition Convention, UNESCO
• Kinga Szuly,  Head of Sector - Higher Education Policy, European Commission

Helene Peterbauer, Policy Analyst for Institutional Development at EUA, will moderate the webinar.