Overview of National Qualification frameworks - Project-Nqf-Sqf

The level rating of qualifications to the MQF is considered as a quality assurance mechanism. Onlyforeign qualifications which are mutually recognised can be incorporated in a protocol whereforeign awarding bodies are represented in Malta. Home-grown qualifications must satisfynumber of standards by filling in a standard application form which includes the learningoutcomes and has to be approved by MQC and by an independent evaluator representing aDesignated Authority or an academic/professional expert if no such authority exists.When a protocol is signed between MQC and the public or private education and training providersthe level rated qualifications are listed in the Malta Register of Regulated Qualifications whichis available on the MQC website. This Register shall eventually evolve into a Database withthe learning outcomes and details of all regulated qualifications.The level of difficulty of any home-grown qualification is confirmed after consulting the EQF andMQF level descriptors.__ Have you already identified any mislinkings between qualifications within the NQF andthe EQF? If so, please describe briefly.NOT APPLICABLE__ Which strengths and which weaknesses do you see concerning the NQF? In what way dothese strengths/weaknesses influence the referenceability to the EQF?Strenghts:The fact that the level descriptors of the NQF are also referenced to the Qualifications Frameworkfor the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA) and distinguish between the followingtypes of skills makes the level descriptors more user-friendly and less generic:Applying Knowledge and Understanding;Communication Skills;Judgmental Skills; andLearning SkillsThis strength does not influence the reference capacity to the EQF as all the categories of Skills ofthe MQF are referenced to the Skills section of the EQF.Weakness:As originally launched in 2007 the MQF did not give qualifications a credit value to the level ratedqualifications, thus this meant that only full qualifications can be referenced to the MQF.However, following demand from stakeholders particularly students and education and trainingproviders including employers MQC felt that this need to acknowledge partial qualificationstranslated in ECTS credits should be addressed. Therefore this weakness was transformed intoa challenge to give value to all learning and reduce the number of dead-end qualifications. InDecember 2010 the Malta Qualifications Council will launch a consultation document entitled:“Classifying Qualifications: A National Awards System Referenced to the MaltaQualifications Framework: a proposal”. Through the use of credits persons with specialneeds particularly those with mental disability are motivated to achieve partial qualifications atMQF Levels 1 and 2.Page 5/5