Foreign Qualifications Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory ServicesEvaluation and Advisory Services

Nadina CoetzeeDirector: FQEAS

Foreign QualificationsForeign QualificationsEvaluation and Advisory ServicesEvaluation and Advisory Services

• HSRC Act, 23 of 1968:Evaluation of educational qualifications

• SAQA Act 58 of 1995Evaluation of (foreign) qualifications; NQF environment

• NQF Act, 67 of 2008Foreign Qualifications: Evaluation and Advisory Service

•Compares foreign with South African qualifications•Determines appropriate levels of recognition in SA•Guides appropriate placement

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: verification of authenticityverification of authenticity

• Current practice◦ Evaluation accounts for, but does not guarantee

authenticity of qualification documents◦ Reliance on expertise◦ Investigation of suspect cases◦ Standard procedure

submission of original documentscontact with issuing bodiesdisclosure of fraudulent activity

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: verification of authenticityverification of authenticityverification of authenticity

• Medium term (January 2010)◦ Intention to meet DPSA request◦ High level appointments◦ Details will be made known

• Long term◦ Possible extension to all applications

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: verification of authenticityverification of authenticityverification of authenticity

In lieu of, orsupplementary to

evaluation?

Foreign qualifications:Foreign qualifications:evaluationevaluation

Supports informeddecision-making:

• Provides for first level screening

◦ Face value quality

◦ Status of institutions & qualifications

Knightsbridge UniversityPacific Western University Cambridge

University Madison University Newport University Preston UniversityInternational Management Centres etc etc

etc etc etc etc

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: evaluationevaluationevaluation

Supports informeddecision-making:

• Prevents incorrect assumptions

◦ Substantial differences

◦ Misleading translations

DiplomaHonours degree

Oxford / Cambridge MA

Bachelier / Bachillerato /

Baccalaureat =“Bachelor’s degree”

Meister / other titles =“Master’s degree”

Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: Foreign qualifications: evaluationevaluationevaluation

Format of advice• Covering letter• SAQA Certificate of Evaluation:

◦ Name and date of birth of qualification holder◦ Title(s) of qualification(s)◦ Name & status of issuing body / bodies◦ Documentation submitted◦ Analysis according to key features◦ Placement recommendation (closest comparable SA

qualification / qualification type and NQF level)◦ Proviso(s) / comment(s)◦ Record of additional learning

Foreign qualifications:Foreign qualifications:Foreign qualifications:evaluationevaluationevaluation

• Security features◦ Security hologram with

unique serial number (linked to a single reference number)

◦ Printed background◦ Unique reference / case

number (can be verified against SAQA records) (format YYMMDD-0000)

◦ Two original signatures (can be verified)

Evaluation of foreign qualifications:Evaluation of foreign qualifications:

ProcessProcess

• Early notification:verifypublicservice@saqa.org.za

Application form (www.saqa.org.za)

• Application procedure

Qualification documents

Payment

Application formApplication form

1 Qualification Holder 2 Applicant2b Evaluation results3 Purpose________________________

4 Qualification documents4a General4b Specific

Provide complete, correct and clear informationand instructions

5 Products and servicesTariffs & payment methods

5b Banking details: sponsor6 Signed declaration: applicant

Follow guidelinesComply with requirements

QualificationQualificationdocumentsdocuments

• Complete, legible• Originals x copies• Notarial certificates only supporting• Foreign languages & translations• [Official school leaving results]• Higher education

- final award / confirmation of- transcripts of academic record- [sub-qualifications]

PaymentPayment(High level: invoicing)(High level: invoicing)

• Certificate of Evaluationrequired within◦ 48 hours◦ 10 days◦ 20 days ◦ 30 days

• Duplicate certificate• Results to be posted (traceable, local)• Reactivation of earlier application• Refund• Cancellation of application

R1390R790R590R390

R20R35R50R33R130

Evaluation of foreign qualifications:Evaluation of foreign qualifications:Evaluation of foreign qualifications:

Process Process Process

• Notification & enquiries:

verifypublicservice@saqa.org.za

• Delivery & collection:

◦ Joe Samuels 012 431 5027

◦ Nadina Coetzee 012 431 5004

DirectorateForeign QualificationsEvaluation and Advisory Services

Official documentsOfficial documents

Final awardsActual certificate,diploma or degree Official statement that the

candidate qualified for the award

Qualified or not?

Transcripts

Transcripts

TranslationsTranslations