Extracts from the Qualifications Framework Emirates ... - CAA

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DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUNDThe Qualifications Framework for the Emirates Handbook is the product of three years ofresearch and development work by the QF Project Team. The initial research anddevelopment work investigated the benefits of various international qualificationsframeworks in improving the skills levels, productivity and global competitiveness of nations.This work led to the issuing of a Federal Decree No. 1 ‘Establish and maintain the NationalQualifications Authority’ on the 23 August 2010.The vision for the UAE in decreeing that there will be a qualifications framework for the UAEis to develop and maintain a qualifications system that values every individual’s learning andoptimises access, transfer, progression and recognition of qualifications, leading to a skilledand knowledgeable workforce for a globally competitive environment.The Qualifications Framework for the Emirates Handbook provides detailed information aboutthe architecture of qualifications in the UAE and also defines the requirements that willenable UAE qualifications to be compared with and valued alongside foreign qualifications.The Handbook sets out the policies, structures, standards, systems and procedures for aQualifications Framework for the Emirates, known as the QFEmirates. It enables a coherent,consistent and robust approach to be taken to the design of qualifications for highereducation, general education and technical, vocational and professional education andtraining. It sets out criteria for both the accreditation of qualifications and for thoseorganisations in the public and private sectors which are to deliver them. It providesguidance and a reference tool for accreditation and awarding bodies and qualificationsdesigners and developers.The term ‘General Education’ as used in the context of the Qualifications Authority,refers to High School Education and not the concept of general courses in highereducation as referred to in the CAA Standards.Perhaps most importantly, the QFEmirates is a facilitative tool that aims to promote theconcept of lifelong learning as the means to enable individuals to plan and access learning inorder to fulfill their potential and to contribute to the future growth and prosperity of theUAE.The requirement for implementation and compliance with the QFEmirates will beacross the non-federal and federal sectors of higher education in the United ArabEmirates.1 Emirates Handbook and Implementation of QFEmirates in Higher Education
The National Qualifications Authority (NQA) Transition Steering Committee supervised thedevelopment of the Handbook, and the Qualifications Framework Technical CoordinationGroup (QFTC-Group) was responsible for its technical development. The process ofdevelopment involved many stakeholders, organisations and practitioners.The Commission for Academic Accreditation has delegated responsibility from theNQA for implementation and regulation of the QFEmirates in the context of highereducation. The CAA has been represented throughout the development process onthe NQA Steering Committee, the QFTC-Group and the NQA Board of TrusteesThe NQA Board of Trustees approved the Qualifications Framework for the EmiratesHandbook on the 20th February 2012. The NQA will implement the Framework incooperation with relevant entities and entrusted bodies, including the CAA.SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE QFEMIRATESThe QFEmirates with its ten levels has been designed to be the single structure throughwhich all qualifications in the UAE can be described and compared, enabling the relationshipbetween all qualifications to be defined.The Framework levels aim to accommodate qualifications awarded for learning achieved inschools; the workplace; the community; training centres; colleges; and universities, from themost basic to the most advanced levels of learning. Thus, the QFEmirates sets out torecognise all forms of learning, including that achieved through experiences in workplaces orother non-formal or informal settings.While the QFEmirates provides a frame of reference for existing qualifications, it alsoprovides the basis for the design of new types of qualifications, recognising 'learningoutcomes' defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and aspects of competence. In particular,the Framework paves the way for a new system of qualifications and awards for vocational,technical and professional education and training (known as vocational education andtraining, or VET) in the UAE.The vocational qualifications associated with programs of one year or longer arecurrently under the regulation of the CAA. Short training programs will ultimatelybe regulated by the newly constituted Vocational Education and Training AwardsCommission.The QFEmirates introduces a general understanding of the meaning of a qualification,defining it as: "a formally approved parcel of learning outcomes to standards set by theEmirates Handbook and Implementation of QFEmirates in Higher Education2
Page 1 and 2: Extracts from the Qualifications Fr
Page 3 and 4: FOREWORDThis brief document is base
Page 5: Table of ContentsDevelopment Backgr
Page 9 and 10: Quality and consistencyA well-devel
Page 11 and 12: Alignment of QFEmirates with Europe
Page 13 and 14: specific title is one that amplifie
Page 15 and 16: Accreditation/awarding bodies manag
Page 17 and 18: developing first level responses to
Page 19 and 20: The institution will issue the qual
Page 21 and 22: Diploma/Associate Degree as transfe
Page 23 and 24: high school certificates or lower l
Page 25 and 26: IMPLEMENTATION AND TRANSITION ARRAN
Page 27 and 28: Level Knowledge Skill Aspects of Co
Page 33 and 34: LevelSummary Level DescriptorsLearn

Extracts from the Qualifications Framework Emirates ... - CAA

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