INTERNATIONAL LEGAL INSTRUMENTS FOR RECOGNITION -

USEFUL TOOL OR PAPER TIGERS?

Gunnar VahtEstonian ENIC/NARIC

gunnar@archimedes.ee

Why the implementation?

NATIONAL LEVEL• Internationalisation of higher education system;

participation in the intl. process• implementation of “good practice”• harmonisation of principles for assessment and recognition• to guarantee the fair recognition and mobility (foreign and

national)• competition of education• mutual trust

INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL• competition of institution (at national and international

level)

Effectivness of instruments

Existing situation and procedure de facto or de jure before the adoption

Negotiations and forums during the elaboration of international legal texts

Wide cooperation between the institutions Nominated and clearly determined contact

point Initiative of (higher education) institutions

Stages of implementation I

First step (explanatory stage)

• how important is it?• how the state can benefit?• how the institution can benefit?• how each individual can benefit?

Stages of implementation II

Second step (negotiation and training/study stage)• what we can do?• Who can do what?• How much we have to change?• How we proceed (legal act,

institutional autonomy, taking notice)

Stages of implementation III

Third step (enacting stage)

• new national act(s)• adjustment of existing acts• institutional / internal regulations• general informal documents

Participants / network

Higher education institutions

National contact point (ENIC/NARIC)

Ministry of Education (Government)

The role of contact point (ENIC/NARIC)

production of information dissemination of information provision of advice (Ministry of

Education) regarding policy, legislation and instruments for recognition

advise and elaborate the recognition instruments for HEIs

The role of Ministry of Education

Should focus on implementing activities

responsible for legislation framework

inspection

Wide implementation

mutual trust

internationalisation

harmonisation