The European Union

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Figus

Link Campus University

Rome Italy

Sectoral QF Italian overview INARM project

Kosice, February 2014

The European Union

May 2005 – European Union Bergen Summit :

EQF European Qualification Framework :

“We adopt the overarching framework for qualifications in the EHEA, including … generic

descriptors for each cycle based on learning outcomes

and competences, …”.

28 countries

European Union United in diversity ?

28 different Education

system?

The European Union

“overarching”

It is meaning that the “meta-framework” of qualifications is "able to collect under it all

national frameworks."

The European Union

In Bergen

• In Bergen the EU Minister adopted the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance produced by ENQA

• ENQA-European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education

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NQF

NQF – National Qualification Framework:

it means the description, at national level or at the level of an education system.

For example the Italian Education System –IES

(* in UK several systems in Italy one system)

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"generic descriptors”

• As a "generic descriptors" the ministers chose to adopt the so-called Dublin Descriptors.

• It’s are developed earlier by an informal group of experts of higher education participating in the Joint Quality Initiative.

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The pillars of the EQF-EHEA

• Organization of regular route in cycles: the Bologna Process is based on three cycles: the first cycle or bachelor cycle (in Italian "graduation"); second cycle or master cycle (in Italian "degree"); postgraduate or doctoral cycle (in Italian "PhD"). In some countries there is also a "short cycle" within or linked to the first cycle

• Adoption of a system of credits: the case of the well-known ECTS-European Credit Transfer System, was born in the early '90s with the role of transfer of credits from one university system to another, but adopted by the Bologna Process as tool for the design of curricula (the role of accumulation) with the same name-stands

• Characterization of the Study Courses by descriptors (Dublin descriptors).

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“Dublin Descriptors”

1.Conoscenza e Capacità di comprensione -knowledge and understanding

2.Applicazione pratica di Conoscenza e Capacità di comprensione - applying knowledge and understanding

3.Autonomia di giudizio - making judgements

4.Abilità comunicative - communication skills

5.Capacità di apprendere da soli - learning skills.

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Development of the Italian NQF: AIMS

NQF

EQF

Go forward practices

and experiences

realized till now at

national and regional

level

Build a National System within

the European Framework

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Steps towards EQF

Conceptual approach to link the EQF key concepts (i.e. qualification, learning outcomes and validation) to the NQF modelling (COHERENCE)

Methodological approach in the NQF development to research standard methods to define and describe learning outcomes (LO)

The European Union

The European Union

Coherence with the EQF Key concepts

“qualification” means a formal outcome of an assessment and validation process which is

obtained when a competent body determines that an individual has achieved learning outcomes

to given standards

QUALIFICATION

Learning

Outcomes

Standard

Competent

body Assessment

Validation

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EQF Key concepts and NQF : the concept of “Learning Outcomes” in the sub-systems

Academic HE

the descriptors are formally adopted

(Bologna process)

non academic HE (IFTS)

the LO approach is fully adopted and expressed in terms of competences.

ED

LOs are not yet formally adopted, but specific learning objectives described in terms of

knowledge and abilities have been developed

VET

Regional bodies adopt the LO approach, expressed in terms of KSC, but in different

ways.

EQF

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

The European Union

Authorized body

QUALIFICATION Assessment Certification

the concept of “validation /certification

The European Union

8 levels based on

learning outcomes

Professional standards

based on competences

Training standard

UE

ITALY

Key Competences

ECVET

EQF

NQF

European Framework (EQF) and National Framework (NQF)

Europass

Standard for

certification

Common principles

of Validation

Citizen

portfolio

The European Union

National Vocational Standard

Training Standard

Certification Standard

Na

tion

al c

on

tex

t R

eg

ion

al

co

nte

xtu

alis

atio

n

by national groups of sectors (social partners)

by national groups of experts

Link to Regional Occupational

Standard

The National Standard System: structure

Link to all training Standard

Formal paths

Link to certification of competencies

anywhere acquired

by national groups of

experts

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National Vocational Standards: practical steps

Step A: Inventory of national and regional best practices (regional standards and systems, certifications, etc.) and contributions from social partners (studies, researches, etc.)

Step B: Definition and validation of the methods to define and describe standards (descriptors) and database of standards

Step C: Testing of the methodology in specific sectors or professional families (TURISM and MECHANICAL)

Step D: Guidelines and instruments for the working groups of sectors experts

Step E: Production of occupational standards in the pilot sectors

Each step need to be validated by all the stakeholders involved in the “National Table/Committee”

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National Vocational Standards:

synthesis of the methodological procedure

Definition of the

ECONOMICAL- PROFESSIONAL

AREAS (25)

Analysis of the PRODUCTIVE

PROCESSES

of the Areas

Definition of CLUSTERS

of economical and

professional areas

Identification of

PROFILES

within clusters

Profile

description

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Sitography

• http://www.anvur.org/index.php?lang=it

• http://www.isfol.it/

• http://hubmiur.pubblica.istruzione.it/web/universita/home

• http://www.istruzione.it/