QQI updates peer agencies on its European Representations

On behalf of QQI, Órla Barry, Head of Qualifications Information and Learning Opportunities, opened the 11th Annual Meeting of EU Reference Group of Agencies of the DFHERIS by welcoming attendees, and outlining the remit of the meeting.  

Órla then provided a presentation update focusing on the Europass and EQF-NCP project. The presentation started with an overview of the role of QQI including its European Representations.  

The first half of the presentation focussed on insights and developments regarding the work of the EQF-NCP. Órla outlined the two relevant qualifications frameworks in Europe, the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA) and provided an overview of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).  

Órla highlighted that there is a priority at European Commission level to create inclusive National Qualifications Frameworks. Although the Irish NFQ is already considered inclusive and flexible, QQI is working towards further developments in this area with specific reference to the Listed Awarding Body scheme and policy discussions around micro-credentials. In addition, Órla shared the latest updates on work being undertaken to review the infrastructure and policies of the Irish NFQ and informed attendees about the publication of the Green Paper on Intermediate Qualifications at NFQ Levels 5 and 6 and Green Paper on a Revised QQI Access, Transfer and Progression Policy. A brief introduction about the role of the Irish Register of Qualification (IRQ) was provided, including plans to redevelop the site.  

The second half of the presentation focused on the role of QQI as Ireland’s National Europass Centre (NEC) and updated the attendees on some Europass tools that may be beneficial to learning and working in Europe. Órla then brought attention to developments and upcoming priorities for Europass noting:  

• a recently updated returns process for organisations issuing Europass Mobility, 
• the completion of a survey with Designated Awarding Bodies and Higher Education Providers on the implementation of the Europass Diploma Supplement and plans to update the diploma supplement template, 
• work undertaken and further plans to increase engagement with Europass, and 
• upcoming usability testing of the Europass platform.  

Update on EU initiatives and actions around recognition 

Andrina Wafer, Head of International Mobility and Prior Learning at QQI, delivered an update on EU initiatives and actions around recognition, nationally and internationally, which included information and relevant updates on the Lisbon Recognition Convention, Global Recognition Convention, Baltic Benelux Treaty, and Qualifications and Quality Assurance Act.  

Andrina then provided an overview of the National Academic Recognition and Information Service (NARIC) for Ireland, which is hosted by QQI. Andrina brought attention to the publication of statistics on the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland and the current development of country education profiles to support understanding of different education and qualification systems to enable the recognition of qualifications. Andrina then outlined details to attendees on a number of Erasmus+ projects related to the work of the ENIC-NARIC network.