UK NARIC CEO Dr Cloud Bai-Yun is in Barcelona 12 April with education ministers, university rectors, and other key stakeholders for a one-day conference on recognition of higher education qualifications in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The conference - Recognition of higher education qualifications: where does the Euro-Mediterranean region stand? - is jointly organised by the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). The event will discuss recent developments in recognition of HE qualifications in the region, identify opportunities for moving forward, and shape policy and operational recommendations.

Cloud will act as moderator on one of three panels, on Transparency and portability of qualifications across the Mediterranean, considering the current state of practice in recognition of foreign credits and qualifications across the UfM countries.

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is an intergovernmental organisation which brings together all 28 countries of the European Union and 15 countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean.

In full, the conference objectives are to: update on recent developments and initiatives in recognition of HE qualifications in the region; provide a platform for multi-stakeholder regional dialogue and constructive exchange on progress made and remaining obstacles; come up with policy and operational recommendations for the future; and strengthen regional co-operation on recognition.  

Several capacity building projects in recent years have enabled Euro-Mediterranean consortia to draw up and experiment with innovative approaches and solutions to recognition challenges.

Most of the 43 UfM Member States participated in the Fifth Bologna Policy Forum which acknowledged the engagement of the region in the development of quality frameworks, credit transfer systems, and qualification frameworks to facilitate intra-regional recognition and mobility.

In parallel, Arab States with the support of UNESCO have engaged in the revision of the regional convention on the recognition of studies, diplomas and degrees in the Arab region.

UNESCO is also preparing the first ever global recognition convention due to be presented for adoption at the next UNESCO General Conference in November 2019.