Network to push regional recognition of qualifications

A network has been formally established to serve as the operational arm for the implementation of the UNESCO Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The decision was made by the committee for the convention at its second ordinary meeting in Havana on 9 February, which was also convened to review progress on the Work Plan established in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, in April 2023, and monitor member states’ ratification processes.

The meeting was attended by representatives from ratifying member states (Cuba, Ecuador, Holy See and Uruguay), signatory member states (17), higher education institutions, academic authorities and international organisations.

In addition, representatives from non-signatory member states, the UNESCO Regional Office of Culture for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cuba, and the Convention Permanent Secretariat based at UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO-IESALC) participated.

According to José Antonio Quinteiro, UNESCO-IESALC programme coordinator, ratifying member states emphasised the importance of the convention’s implementation to advancing the Education 2030 Agenda.

“This has, at its core, the principle of inclusion but inclusion in academic mobility is still greatly lagging in the region,” Quinteiro said.

He said participants recognised the value of academic mobility “both for individuals and the region’s development, but very particularly for the much desired, but always elusive, regional integration”.

During the meeting, the convention’s committee launched two publications, including Basic Guidelines for the Recognition of Venezuelan Academic Degrees and Diplomas.

This working document, presented by Quinteiro, is tailored for officials entrusted with the legal mandate of recognising foreign degrees, but specifically Venezuelan ones.

Although the largest refugee community is Syrian, a third of all asylum seekers in the world are Venezuelan, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The document aims to provide a comprehensive explanation of the landscape of the Venezuelan higher education system, navigate the taxonomy of the degrees it offers and, ultimately, expedite the recognition and revalidation of Venezuelan qualifications.

“This publication aims to bridge the gap between officials responsible for academic recognition and the complexities of the Venezuelan higher education system,” said Quinteiro.

The working document provides an in-depth overview, clear explanations (including a FAQ section) and a focus on streamlining the recognition process, he said.

“The aim is to empower Venezuelan migrants in their quest of insertion into foreign labour markets and-or continue their higher education studies.”

Diploma supplement feasibility study

Flavia Colus, a consultant for UNESCO-IESALC, presented a second publication, the Feasibility Study for the Implementation of the Diploma Supplement in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This study examines the experiences of other regions in implementing the Diploma Supplement and identifies key success factors. By drawing parallels, the study assesses the feasibility in implementing this mechanism in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Whereas degree certificates are the parchment issued only once by the higher education institution and usually contain very little information about learning outcomes and academic transcripts are very detailed descriptions of courses, hours of study and credits that can be lengthy and hard to compare, diploma supplements focus on learning outcomes and provide system-level information to contextualise the qualification.

Plans for a standardised supplement

As a result of this study and the comparative analysis of existing Diploma Supplements in the region, the Committee of the UNESCO Regional Convention is moving forward with plans to develop a standardised Diploma Supplement for higher education qualifications throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

A commission will be established to consult with ratifying member states and stakeholders to develop a recommendation. Such recommendations will define the “must-to-be” fields as core information to be included in the Diploma Supplement and outline strategies for its successful implementation.

The second ordinary session of the Convention Committee also marked the official establishment of the regional recognition network (CINALC). This network, formed in 2023 through informal regional meetings and working groups, serves as a key tool for the implementation of the new regional convention.

CINALC will facilitate the exchange of information on recognition and mobility, thereby promoting mutual understanding and transparency between member states’ higher education systems.

This network will also engage in:

• Developing guidelines on how to conduct operations ethically and adhering to shared values;

• Establishing a digital platform for communication and cooperation;

• Launching comparative studies on recognition systems;

• Organising training programmes for network members; and

• Developing guidelines on recognition of foreign qualifications to assist credential evaluators in the region with a tool to assist them in their practice.

“The successful conclusion of the second ordinary meeting represents important progress for the new regional convention in its first year,” said Quinteiro.

“The establishment of CINALC is a significant step towards achieving the convention's goal of facilitating educational mobility and promoting regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean.”