Qualifications recognition in a global world

Issue: Volume 97, Number 2

Posted: 12 February 2018
Reference #: 1H9hQR

“Qualify for the future world: Kia noho takatū ki tō āmua ao” is the New Zealand Qualifications Authority’s (NZQA) vision for learners and for New Zealand.

In an increasingly globalised world, New Zealanders are likely to want to study and work internationally at some time in their lives. To support them, NZQA is working with countries across the globe to provide pathways for New Zealand learners to study and work overseas.

“We aim to make it easier to understand and recognise each other’s qualifications,” says NZQA Deputy Chief Executive for Quality Assurance, Dr Grant Klinkum.

“NZQA is active internationally, working closely with overseas qualification authorities to compare qualification frameworks and qualifications. Through this work, NZQA and our partner agencies in other countries develop close working relationships, and establish trust in each other’s systems.

“As a result, NZQA has qualification recognition arrangements with 38 countries, including recognition of NCEA for university entry in Australia, Germany, Spain, India and Thailand, as well as university qualification recognition arrangements with Ireland and Malaysia. New Zealand’s qualifications framework is recognised by 30 countries in the European Union.”

This also means that international students can be confident that their New Zealand qualifications will be recognised when they return home.

“These international projects lead to improved understanding of New Zealand’s high-quality education system and qualifications. They also strengthen our relationships with other countries and help to ensure that the skills of our students are recognised overseas.”

NZQA works with the New Zealand education sector to identify opportunities and remove barriers for their students wanting to study overseas. Feedback from schools also helps identify countries where a qualification recognition arrangement could be useful to students.

NZQA aims to have qualification recognition arrangements with at least 50 countries by 2020.

Schools can assist their students planning to study overseas by checking the NZQA website for information about relevant recognition arrangements, and referring to it when advising students about their study programme.  

You can find out more about NZQA’s role in qualifications recognition and specific international agreements on its website at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/our-role-in-international-education/(external link)

BY Education Gazette editors
Education Gazette | Tukutuku Kōrero, reporter@edgazette.govt.nz

Posted: 9:00 am, 12 February 2018

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