Best recognition instruments for the dialogue between global expertsFinal Conference - Malta, 18 - 19 October 2012

ACTIONS, 1, 2 & 3

Mar Duque & Juan Carlos Parodi(Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports)

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ACTION 1: Spreading knowledge about NARIC activities among

Erasmus Mundus National StructuresACTION 2:

Spreading knowledge about the Erasmus Mundus Programme and EMNS activities among NARICs

ACTION 3: Spreading knowledge about the Erasmus Mundus Programme and EMNS activities among ENICs and

MERICs

Roadmap- 9 Actions

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Actions 1, 2 & 3: Target subjects

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The Erasmus Mundus National Structures are supported by the Erasmus Mundus Programme to implement information and promotion projects that disseminate its results nationally and worlwide.

The NARIC network provides information concerning the recognition of diplomas and periods of study undertaken in other European countries as well as advice on foreign academic diplomas in the country where the NARIC is established.

Actions 1, 2 & 3: Target subjects

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The ENIC Network provides information on the Recognition of foreign diplomas, degrees and other qualifications, the education systems in both foreign countries and the ENIC’s own country; and the opportunities for studying abroad, including information on loans and scholarships, and practical advice on mobility and comparability.

The MERIC Network brings together all the ratifying and signatory states of the Mediterranean Recognition Convention. It aims to promote information exchange in the Mediterranean Region and with the ENIC/NARIC networks, those being developed in the Arab states as well as other existing relevant networks, to promote synergy.

Actions 1, 2 & 3

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Activities:- Survey – a qualitative & quantitative study- carried out among the Erasmus Mundus NSs and the NARIC, ENIC & MERIC centres. -Writing & publication of a report for each action.Outputs: Questionnaire & Report of results.Three Phases: one per action.Research design and method: Integrative – employing different research methodologies – descriptive & qualitative + quantitative.Technique: A Questionnaire of 3 parts (actions 1-2) and 4 parts (action 3) containing quantitative and qualitative questions to address each of the specific topics & objectives. 35 Qs action 1 / 37 Qs action 2 / 20 Qs action 3

Action 1Spreading knowledge about NARIC activities among

Erasmus Mundus National Structures

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Timetable: from November 2010 to May 2011.Responsible Institution (NS): Spain.Target subjects: 31 EM National StructuresSpecific objectives:1.To analyse the EMNSs’ level of knowledge of ENIC/MERIC/NARIC + type & frequency of cooperation.2.To examine what needs to be improved and strengthened between both networks (EMNSs & NARICs).3.To identify topics and actions to reinforce and increase cooperation.Participation: • 74.19 % of the targeted subjects in 3 rounds.

Results Action 1 (1)Results of Part 1: EMNSs’ level of knowledge of ENIC/MERIC/NARIC + type

& frequency of cooperation

- Both EMNSs & NARICs need to know more about each other.

-EMNSs need clarification of the competences & activities of ENIC network and NARIC centres and more knowledge of the MERIC network (48% do not know about it).

-Most EMNSs contact their NARIC centres more frequently than vice versa (but not regularly). Types of information requested:

- National legislation on joint programmes, recognition/accreditation/awarding issues, etc.

Results of Part 2: Extent to which the cooperation between EMNSs and

NARIC centres needs to be improved and strengthened

- 78% of EMNSs have never organized joint events with their NARIC.- 70% of EMNSs have never carried out projects with their NARIC- Weaknesses identified:

1) Lack of communication & exchange of information.2) Lack of knowledge about developments in expertise. 3) Weak links in joint activities.

- A more sustainable, regular & formal relationship between EMNSs & NARIC centres should be developed both at national and international levels.

Results Action 1 (2)

Results of Part 3: Identifying topics & actions to increase cooperation

-Need of training on relevant issues for EMNS and NARIC staff.

-Joint activities of different types (workshops, seminars, conferences, training sessions, publications, staff visits) should be organized and promoted at national and international levels.

-The European Commision should promote and strengthen cooperation among EMNSs, NARICs, ENICs and MERICs.

Results Action 1 (3)

Action 2Spreading knowledge about EM Programme and EMNS activities among NARIC centers

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Timetable: from December 2010 to May 2011Responsible Institution (NS): EstoniaTarget subjects: 32 NARIC centresSpecific objectives:1.To spread knowledge about the Erasmus Mundus Programme and its activities among the NARIC centres.2.To examine which type of cooperation between both networks exists and how it can be improved and strengthened.Participation: • 72 % of the target subjects in 3 rounds.

Results Action 2 (1)Results of Part 1: Level of knowledge of the Erasmus Mundus Programme

and EMNS activities among the NARIC centres• Most NARICs know the EM Programme and their

EMNS, but in many cases they are not sure about their competences.

• 70% of the respondents contact EMNSs mainly for getting general information related to EM programmes.

• 65% of NARICs have been contacted by their EMNS mostly for clarifying issues regarding national legislation on joint programmes and recognition and accreditation issues.

Results of Part 2: Type of cooperation between NARIC centres and EMNSs

and how it can be improved and strengthened

– 47.6% NARICs have invited their EMNS to meetings or seminars

– Joint activities, projects and publications are uncommon– Good practices: for 52% NARICs the answers given by their

EMNS were useful (whereas 48% found them not useful).– Weaknesses: Lack of / occasional communication, lack of

joint projects and initiatives.

Results Action 2 (2)

Results of Part 3: Topics and actions that could be implemented

to increase and reinforce the cooperation between NARIC centres and EMNSs

Actions to be implemented:

• Strengthening cooperation between the NARICs and EMNSs by means of a more regular exchange of information, regular meetings and events, joint initiatives and training of staff.

• Updated information on accreditation and recognition.

Results Action 2 (3)

Action 3Awareness and knowledge of the Erasmus Mundus Programmes among the ENIC & MERIC networks

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Timetable: from April to September 2011.Responsible Institution (NS): MaltaTarget Subjects: ENIC and MERIC centersSpecific objectives:1.Analysing the level of awareness and communication among ENIC and MERIC centres and EMNSs.2. Analysing the evaluation and recognition aspects of EM degrees.3.To encourage cooperation among EMNSs and ENICs/MERICs. Participation: - 17 target subjects, all of them belonging to the ENIC Network.- No MERIC center has taken part in the survey. Possible reason: the situation resulting from the Arab Spring.

Results Action 3 (1)Results of Part 1:

Level of knowledge of the EM Programme and EMNS activities among the ENIC and MERIC centres

– All ENICs know about EMNSs and ~50% have contacted them

Results of Part 2: Type of information and contact between ENIC and MERIC

centres and EMNSs – ENICs mostly request info related to EM programmes.– EMNSs usually request ENICs info about national legislation

on joint programmes, recognition/accreditation.– Most ENICs (64,70%) have never been invited by any EMNS

to their national meetings/seminars.

Results of Part 3: Real situation on the evaluation and recognition of EM

degrees– ENICs are seldom contacted for the evaluation of an EM

degree (usually by the holder of the degree).– Main purpose of recognition academic (+ professional…).

Results of Part 4: Actions that would contribute to the development of

cooperation between EMNSs and ENIC/MERIC– Most ENICs think that it would be useful for their staff to be

trained about the EM Programme.

Results Action 3 (2)

FUTURE IMPLICATIONS related to the 3 actions-To reinforce the cooperation of EMNSs & NARIC-ENIC-MERIC centres by promoting and funding joint initiatives that would contribute to the follow-up phase of the EHEA & the European Research Area construction and consolidation (European Commission participation).

-To promote and support the consolidation of the MERIC Network.

-To disseminate the knowledge of EMNS & NARIC-ENIC-MERIC competences among them (special attention to training of staff).

- To disseminate the main features of the evaluation and recognition of joint/double/multiple programmes in other regions in the world.

Conclusions

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION & COLLABORATION IN THIS PROJECT

Mar Duque: mar.duque@oapee.es

Juan Carlos Parodi: jcarlos.parodi@mecd.es