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
The European Union
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)
The European Union
"generic descriptors
As a "generic descriptors" the ministers chose
to adopt the so-called Dublin Descriptors.
Its are developed earlier by an informal group
of experts of higher education participating in
the Joint Quality Initiative.
The European Union
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).
The European Union
Dublin Descriptors
1.Conoscenza e Capacit di comprensione -
knowledge and understanding
2.Applicazione pratica di Conoscenza e Capacit di
comprensione - applying knowledge and
understanding
3.Autonomia di giudizio - making judgements
4.Abilit comunicative - communication skills
5.Capacit di apprendere da soli - learning skills.
The European Union
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
The European Union
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
The European Union
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
N
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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
The European Union
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
The European Union
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
The European Union
Sitography
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