Overview of National Qualification frameworks - Project-Nqf-Sqf

3.2 Access to education abroadForeign awarding bodies are widely represented in Malta, so learners do not have to travel abroad to achieve a foreignqualification. Education and Training providers have to be officially licensed by the Ministry of Education, Employment and theFamily.The University of Malta (1592) was one of the first Universities in Europe to introduce the European Credit System (ECTS)across all its faculties and centres with a few exceptions. The transparency of ECTS credits very much promoted by theBologna Process not only gives students opportunities for Erasmus exchanges but also to study abroad following completion oftheir studies in Malta.Although ECVET is in its early stages in the local institutions and there are no programmes such as the ERASMUS for highereducation students, opportunities for apprenticeship overseas do exist for VET students.Since the launching of the MQF in 2007 qualifications that are used as benchmarks in the MQF give a transparent value andvisibility to qualifications thus enhancing mobility of students.The Government of Malta awards the following sponsorship schemes to encourage mobility of students:__Malta Government Scholarship Scheme (MGSS) – targets undergraduate and post-graduate students;__Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarships (STEPS) – targets post-graduate students only__Malta Arts Scholarships (MAS) – targeting students with any level of studies.In the Netherlands the National Reference Point (NRP) Netherlands is the contact point for those in search of information onvocational education in the Netherlands and other European countries. The Dutch Ministry of Education has appointed Coloand Nuffic for this task. Colo and Nuffic together represent the national structure for credential evaluation in the Netherlands. Itis a close cooperation between Colo and Nuffic. Together they have established the Information Centre for CredentialEvaluation. Colo is the association of national Centres of Expertise for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market.Colo is responsible for credential evaluations at the level of senior secondary vocational education (mbo), including adulteducation, and preparatory secondary vocational education (vmbo). Nuffic is the Netherlands Organization for Internationalcooperation in higher education. Within the structure for credential evaluation Nuffic is responsible for evaluations on the levelof general secondary education and higher education.The NRP based on the (EU) regulations and in close collobaration with the Ministry of Education is responsible for thoseaccreditions and definitions.There are several legal regulations and measures/mechanisms/tools/methods/practices within the formal education andtraining system in the Netherlands for easing access to education abroad:NRP Netherlands is part of the European network of NRPs. The objective of this network is to increase the transparency ofnational qualifications, which will promote the study and employment mobility within the EU. The website (www.nlnrp.nl) is thefirst step for finding information on vocational education in the Netherlands. It may also serve as a stepping-stone for findinginformation on, and making contact with, European partner organizations.There will be established a NCP NLQF. This NCP will have a national as an international role. At both levels it’s role will be toestablish confidence and trust.Speaking about access to education abroad, in Romania qualifications obtained abroad are recognised by the National Centrefor Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas, authority within Ministry of Education. Pre-university diplomas and certificatesobtained abroad are recognised either or by applying knowledge tests/equivalence examinations/adaptation periods/studyperiods, depending on the differences between the Romanian and the respective foreign system.Higher education diplomas, certificates or scientific degrees obtained abroad are recognised after NCRED has acknowledgedthat the studies undertaken abroad are compatible with the study programme or qualifications in Romania, in terms of:__status of higher education institution issuing the diploma/certificate/degree__diploma level__number of study years/credits accumulated__study field__profile__specialisation__curriculum/ workload /Diploma SupplementNQF-SQF:"This project has been funded with support from30/31Overview of National Qualificationprepared by 3s research laboratoryframeworksthe European Commission. This publicationreflects the views only of the author, and theCommission cannot be held responsible for anyuse which may be made of the informationcontained therein."