Completed projects

Content:

• EU Twinning Project “Further support to the implementation of the National Qualifications Framework“ in North Macedonia

• KAPRIS-2: Strengthening the System of Academic Recognition, coordinated by SKVC 

• Improvement of the System for Assessment and Recognition of Competences and Qualifications Acquired in Different Pathways

• DEQAR: Enhancing the Coverage and Connectivity in the EHEA through DEQAR (Database of External Quality Assurance Reports)

• SMART-QUAL: Structured indicators to manage HEI Quality System

• STACQ: Stacking credits & the future of the qualification

• I-AR: Implementation of automatic recognition in the networks

• QUATREC-2: Comparing qualifications for reliable recognition

• I-Comply: Implementation of LRC compliant recognition practices in the EHEA 

• AR-net: Automatic Recognition in the Networks in 2020  

• E-VALUATE: Evaluating e-learning for Academic Recognition 

• ESF Project in Latvia: Support for Meeting the Requirements Set for EQAR Agency, coordinated by AIC (Latvia)

• PARADIGMS: New Paradigms in Recognition, coordinated by EP-Nuffic

• IMPACT: Quality and Impact of the Recognition Networks, coordinated by EP-Nuffic

• AMIS-2: Development of the higher education institutions external evaluation system, coordinated by SKVC

• AMIS: Strengthening external evaluation system of higher education institutions, coordinated by SKVC

• KAPRIS: Further Development of the System for Academic Recognition of Foreign Qualifications concerning Higher Education, coordinated by SKVC

• SKAR-3: Development of a system for the description of studies, coordinated by SKVC

• SKAR-2 Development of the study fields’ descriptors regulating system, coordinated by SKVC

• SKAR: Creating of the structure of study cycle and study fields descriptors, coordinated by SKVC

• „SQUARE: System of Quality Assurance for the Recognition Networks“,  coordinated by Dutch ENIC-NARIC centre - EP-Nuffic

• „STREAM: Streamlining Institutional recognition: a Training platform for admissions officers”, lead by Dutch ENIC-NARIC centre - EP-Nuffic

• „AURBELL: Automatic recognition between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania“, coordinated by Latvian ENIC-NARIC centre - AIC

• „EU-MTR: Enhancing the use of mobility tools for recognition“, coordinated by French ENIC-NARIC centre - CIEP;

• „SCAN-D: Samples & Copies of Academic National Diplomas”, initated by Italian ENIC-NARIC centre - CIMEA;

• RENSA: Recogntion of Non-Country Specific Awards, coordinated by the United Kingom's ENIC-NARIC centre - UK NARIC

• ISOBAQ: Information System on pre-Bologna Academic Qualifications

• LIREQA: Linking Academic Recognition and Quality Assurance, coordinated by SKVC

EU Twinning Project “Further support to the implementation of the National Qualifications Framework“ in North Macedonia

Project aim is to significantly strength and develope the National Qualifications Framework in Northern Macedonia. 

Strengths of the project:

• a competent management team;

• support and involvement of the management of the beneficiary institution;

• clear and realistic project objectives;

• close cooperation between the EU Member States and the authorities of North Macedonia. 

 
The project is funded by the European Commission.

The project is implemented in cooperation with Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of North Macedonia and partner institutions from Lithuania, Slovenia, and France as Member States Partners.

The leading member state in the project is Lithuanian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport co-operating with the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC), the Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training Development Centre (KPMPC), European Social Fund Agency and French High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) together with the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (CPI), acting as the Junior project partners.

The value of the project is 1.5 million euros. The estimated implementation period is 27 months, from 1 October 2021 till 31 December 2023.

Project news

Opening Ceremony of the Project

Newsletter (January 2022)

KAPRIS-2   

KAPRIS-2 is a project implemented to strengthen the system of academic recognition of foreign qualifications concerning higher education in Lithuania.

It is aimed at:

• Creating electronic recognition services enabling stakeholders to receive our services online and providing one platform for all institutions involved in recognition;
• Supporting the decentralised academic recognition system by developing information tools and offering training;
• Streamlining recognition of qualifications, periods of study, and prior learning in higher education institutions;
• Implementing automatic recognition for Bologna qualifications.

It is provisioned that, during the lifetime of the project, the following will be implemented:

• An electronic recognition area;
• 25 country profiles providing information on the systems of education;
• training sessions for higher education institutions;
• review of recognition processes within 5 higher education institutions;
• preparation for implementing recognition with 7 higher education institutions;
• introduction of automatic recognition by reviewing and amending internal SKVC processes;
• other supporting activities.

This project builds on the achievements of the previously implemented KAPRIS, which facilitated the introduction of the decentralised system of recognition of foreign qualifications in Lithuania. KAPRIS-2 is focused on reinforcing the system and creating favourable conditions for its effective functioning.

Target group of the project: education institutions, students, holders of foreign qualifications, employers.

Title of the project:  Strengthening the System of Academic Recognition (KAPRIS-2)

Duration of the project: from 20 October 2015 to 30 June 2023.

The project is financed by the European Structural Funds.

Improvement of the System for Assessment and Recognition of Competences and Qualifications Acquired in Different Pathways 

SKVC contributes as a partner to the implementation of the project Improvement of the System for Assessment and Recognition of Competences and Qualifications Acquired in Different Pathways. This project is implemented by the Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training Development Centre (www.kpmpc.lt) with 18 other partners.

The project aims to improve the assessment and recognition of competences and qualifications acquired through different pathways.

Project objectives:

1. the development of competence assessment for persons pursuing a qualification;
2. the development of assessment of general competences;
3. streamlining the system for recognition of foreign qualifications;
4. monitoring of the competence assessment.

Target group: employees of accredited competence assessment bodies and persons whose competencies have been assessed within the framework of the streamlined and developed assessment system.

Main project outcomes:

1. tools for assessment of competences;
2. task banks, methodologies, methodological tools for competence assessment and sample competence assessment tasks;
3. improved institutional capacity to assess competences and / or qualifications acquired through different pathways;
4. created measures for monitoring and information provision for the assessment and recognition of acquired competences.

Main activities and objectives of SKVC's participation:

1. developing the system of recognition of foreign qualification recognition;
2. the creation and testing of a methodology for academic recognition of vocational qualifications;
3. the adaption and expansion of the electronic recognition area for the assessment and recognition of vocational qualifications;
4. organizing events on the recognition and assessment of vocational qualifications.

The project is financed by the European Social Fund.

Project implementation timeline: 31 May, 2018 – 31 December, 2023.

DEQAR CONNECT: Enhancing the Coverage and Connectivity of QA in the EHEA through DEQAR (Database of External Quality Assurance Reports)

I-Comply: Implementation of LRC compliant recognition practices in the EHEA 

The I-Comply project intends to focus on practical achievement of Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) compliant recognition procedures in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), as this is one of the three key commitments in the Paris Communiqué 2018 to implement the EHEA reforms.

The Project starts from desk research and includes such further activities as preparation of documents, production of charts of the national recognition infrastructures and completed scorecards; self-evaluation of the national recognition infrastructures; production of roadmaps detailing the actions to achieve compliance with the LRC; peer review; implementation of actions described in roadmaps; peer counselling and learning activities; and an online European Exploitation Meeting. 

The outcomes of I-Comply are expected to assist the Bologna Implementation Coordination Group (BICG) in its task to inform and advise on further action to be taken to improve implementation, and assist the Thematic Peer Group B on the Lisbon Recognition Convention (TPG B on LRC).

Project target groups include ENIC/NARIC centres and other national stakeholders in Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine; and stakeholders in recognition on EHEA level. I-Comply is coordinated by Dutch Ministry of Education and managed by Nuffic (Dutch ENIC/NARIC). Project partner in Lithuania is SKVC as Lithuanian ENIC/NARIC centre.

The Project runs from 1 March 2019 to 29 February 2021. I-Comply is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme KA3 – Support to Policy Reform of the European Commission and from national budgets of participating countries. 

AR-net: Automatic Recognition in the Networks in 2020  

The Project aims to contribute to ‘de facto’ Automatic Recognition (AR) from four different angles: 

• Experimenting with the implementation of AR in a number of ENIC-NARIC centres, resulting in recommendations;
• Produce a Policy Paper on the Portability of Recognition Decisions;
• Update and promote existing recognition tools: European Recognition Manual for Higher Education Institutions (EAR-HEI), EAR (e)manuals and STREAM admissions platform;
• Strengthen the quality assurance of the ENIC-NARIC networks. 

During the Project, the outcomes of the previous projects (PARADIGMS and IMPACT) will be reviewed; desk research to collect any new developments in AR and examples of portability of recognition decisions will be conducted; blueprints and reports for the Analysis report of the 25 peer reviews, Implementations of AR and Policy paper on portability of recognition will be developed. Also, the Standard & Guidelines and the EAR (e-)manual and the EAR-HEI manual/STREAM platform will be revised. The implementation of AR will be explored in two test rounds, 6 centres will undertake Peer Reviews. Finally, the results of the Project will be disseminated. 

Impact: 

• Further streamlining of recognition practices in the EHEA; 
• 1/3 of the NARIC network gains first-hand experience with the implementation of Automatic Recognition;
• Professionalization of the Standards & Guidelines for Quality Assurance of the networks; 
• 6 centres will undertake the self-evaluation and peer review;
• All outcomes will support (dialogue on) good practice in recognition in the networks and the EHEA. 

Project target groups include ENIC-NARIC networks and centres, admissions officers, European higher education policy makers, students. 

The project consortium consists of: 

• the Core Team – Dutch NARIC (Nuffic) as coordinator, NARICs from Lithuania (SKVC), Denmark, Portugal;
• the Sub Team – NARICs from Italy (CIMEA), Norway (NOKUT), Czech Republic, Ireland (QQI), the UK;
• the Steering Group includes the Vice-President LRC Committee, European University Association – EUA (subcontractor), European Consortium for Accreditation in higher education – ECA (subcontractor). 

Project`s results achieved: 

• The European Recognition Manual for Higher Education Institutions 
• Portability of recognition statements in the EHEA 
• The Triangle of Automatic Recognition  

The Project runs from 1^st March, 2018 to 29^th February, 2020.

AR-net is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. 

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E-VALUATE: Evaluating e-learning for Academic Recognition 

The Project aims to: 

• Provide an overview of the current state of play regarding online learning; 
• Undertake a needs assessment of the type of information Higher education institutions (HEI) require for the recognition of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Small Private Online Courses (SPOCs); 
• Develop an Online Learning Information Tool for HEI; the Tool will include specific information on (the recognition of) online learning trajectories for refugees; 
• Include the guidelines on the academic recognition of e-learning in the European Recognition Manuals (EAR and EAR HEI (e)manuals). 

The outcomes of e-VALUATE will be of broad use for the academic recognition of MOOCs and SPOCs, special focus will be on improving refugees’ access to higher education.

The Project will: 

• Enable ENIC-NARIC centres and admissions officers at European HEI to assess qualifications obtained through online learning;
• Contribute to common practice in Europe on the recognition of online learning and lead to more effective recognition practices that make better use of peoples talents;
• Support learning mobility and social inclusion of refugees by giving special attention to how academic recognition of MOOCs and SPOCs can enable refugees’ access to higher education. 

Project target groups include HEIs, ENIC-NARIC centres, students, online education providers, policy makers, refugee organizations. 

The project consortium consists of:  

• the Core Team  - Dutch NARIC (Nuffic) as project coordinator, NARICs from Norway (NOKUT), Denmark, Lithuania (SKVC) and the UK;
• the Sub Team - NARIC from Ireland (QQI);
• the Steering Group includes Open Higher Education KIRON (subcontractor), European Consortium for Accreditation in higher education – ECA (subcontractor), and Vice President Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) Committee.  

Project results: 

• The European Recognition Manual for Higher Education Institutions 
• Academic recognition of e-learning. Recommendations for online learning providers 

The Project runs from 1^st March, 2018 to 29^th February, 2020.

AR-net is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. 

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ESF Project in Latvia

The aim of the project is to provide support for fulfilling the requirements for EQAR (European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education) registered agency, including support for enhancing the quality of activities and capacity building.

As a result of the project Latvian higher education quality assurance system will operate according to the expectations of the Standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG-2015), thus increasing the international credibility of Latvian higher education and diplomas issued in Latvia.

The project is carried out by the Academic Information Centre which functions as the Latvian Quality Agency for Higher Education since 1 July 2015. Cooperation partners include the Council of Higher Education (Latvia), SKVC (Lithuania), and 12 Latvian Higher Education Institutions.

SKVC will cooperate with AIC on a wide range of issues as follows:

• Improving and approbation of Agency’s Quality management system;
• Carrying out pilot accreditations;
• Preparations for ENQA review to become a full member of ENQA and be listed on EQAR;
• Developing the strategy for the AIC and a medium-term plan for strengthening of its international competitiveness in higher education in accreditation HEIs or study directions;
• Ensuring compliance of the Latvian legislation with the ESG-2015;
• Experience exchange visits with EQAR agencies for staff of the Agency, students, employers, members of the QA Council;
• Training of review experts;
• Working out suggestions for improving the monitoring system and procedures;
• Strengthening of the material/ technical resources and information support including creating the e-platform in order to support the processes of the accrediting and licensing and for HE monitoring including integrating and interconnecting the existing information systems;
• Participation of the AIC in ENQA and other international organisations or networks of quality assurance agencies;
• Training seminars for HEIs on internal and external QA for higher education institutions;
• Developing communication and informative means and their further development, including improvement of the website of the AIC.

More about project activities:

• Expert Training in Higher Education Quality Assurance
• Annual Seminar of Baltic Quality Assurance Agencies
• Academic Information Centre’s seminar “Trends in the improvement of study programmes”
• Academic Information Centre seminar “Monitoring of Higher Education and the concept of e-platform”
• Expert Training in Higher Education Quality Assurance

The Project runs from March, 2016 to 7^th September, 2019.

The Project is co-funded by European Social Fund.

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PARADIGMS: New Paradigms in Recognition

Project aims were threefold:

• Exploring systems of automatic recognition for the EHEA countries (in line with the Yerevan Communiqué);
• Exploring a format to signal and evaluate individual competences of applicants (‘eclectic programmes’, containing MOOC credits, work experience, etc.);
• Elaborating on a model for systematic and sustainable knowledge and expertise exchange between ENIC-NARIC centres (knowledge hubs).

In the initial phase of the desk research examples of automatic recognition procedures, sources of formats to evaluate competences gained through alternative forms of learning and models for information and knowledge exchange were collected. Then partners developed and tested the identified possible pathways for automatic recognition and ways how to make competences gained through alternative forms of learning transparent, to ensure the practical applicability of the (draft) recommendations. The mode of cooperation in the project to formulate recommendations on the future implementation of the knowledge hubs were reviewed. Afterwards, the consultation with members of the ENIC-NARIC network were held to produce the final set of recommendations. A model for continuous systematic knowledge exchange and expertise development within the NARIC networks (the knowledge hubs) were elaborated.

Project’s results:

• A short path to automatic recognition – 4 models (Policy paper)
• Oops a MOOC! Dealing with eclectic learning in credential evaluation (Policy paper)

Project target groups includeed ENIC-NARIC offices, Policy makers on recognition issues at national and European level.

The project consortium consisted of the Core Team (EP-Nuffic as coordinator, ENIC-NARIC France, ENIC-NARIC Denmark, ENIC-NARIC Lithuania, ENIC-NARIC Norway and ENIC-NARIC Portugal), the Sub Team (ENIC-NARICs from Ireland, Slovenia and Belgium/Flanders), and the Steering Group (the President of the ENIC Bureau and the Vice-President of the LRC Committee).

Duration of the Project implementation: from 1^st March, 2016 to 28^th February, 2018.

PARADIGMS was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

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IMPACT: Quality and Impact of the Recognition Networks

The IMPACT project pursue the following three objectives:

• to extend the quality assurance and peer review system of recognition offices, including facilitating a new round of peer reviews;
• to explore how to connect admissions officers to the ENIC-NARIC networks and launch a first version of a European Admissions Officers platform (using the 600+ participants of the STREAM online training and good practice platform as a starting point);
• to assess the impact of the ENIC-NARIC networks on recognition in the EHEA (making use of EUA’s evaluation expertise).

During the project, three expertise hubs were created to implement the project activities: the ‘QA of networks’ hub; the ‘connecting admissions officers’ hub; the ‘Impact evaluation of the networks’ hub. The round of peer reviews by ENIC-NARIC centres were implemented, and 8 centres were involved in this exercise. Analysis were done on how to embed the Quality assurance tool in the ENIC-NARIC networks for easy future use. Consultations, with admissions officers and stakeholders in recognition were held, and web development, including development of an admissions officers platform were arranged. Recommendations have been issued on how to connect European admissions officers to the ENIC-NARIC networks. Evaluation have been carried out on the impact of the ENIC-NARIC networks.

The Core project team consisted of EP-Nuffic (coordinator), UK NARIC, NARIC France, NARIC Denmark, NARIC Lithuania, NARIC Italy, and the European University Association (subcontractor). The Sub team assisted the Core team in implementing the project goals and included NARICs from Ireland and Latvia. The Steering Group consisted of: President ENIC Bureau, Vice-President LRC Committee, BFUG Representative (subcontractor), European Consortium for Accreditation – ECA (subcontractor), the European University Association – EUA (subcontractor) and the German Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK).

Project results:

• STREAM platform has been updated
• External reviews of ENIC-NARIC centres

Duration of the Project implementation: from 1^st March, 2016 to 28^th February, 2018.

IMPACT was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

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AMIS-2

The Project „Strengthening external evaluation system of Higher Education Institutions“ was implemented according to 2007-2013 Human Resources Development Priority 2 measure „Education quality assurance and strengthening of monitoring systems“.

The aim of the Project- strengthening higher education external evaluation system. The project‘s target group – employees of higher education institutions, experts and students.

While implementing the Project the partnerships of Centre for Quality Assesment in Higher Education (hereinafter- SKVC) and stakeholders has been strengthened, promoting efficiency of their participation in external evaluation process and preparation for the external evaluation. To reach that aim in the Project training for the external evaluation participants – HEI employees, experts, students and external evaluation specialist was organized, as well as the international conference on improvement of internal quality systems. During the training HEI employees have aquired the knowledge required self-evaluation report of the HEI to prepare, improvement of internal quality assurance systems. Experts have improved their ability to analyze documents submitted by HEI, summarize collected data and prepare the external evaluation reports.

Achieved Project’s results:

• Institutional review of 32 institutions;
• Evaluation of 982 study programmes;
• 19 trainings for experts, HEI staff, students was organized with 521 persons has been trained;
• International conference on internal quality assurance in higher education was organized;
• A workshop organized for the representatives of HEI about the use of documents regulating teacher training and their preparation as professionals.
• SKVC employee’s qualification was raised by organizing trainings in Lithuania and going to the trainings in foreign quality assurance agencies, acting in higher education quality assurance field. During the visits SKVC employees gain experience in external quality assurance issues;
• More convenient website for SKVC users was created.

Budget of the Project:     3.812.219,53 €
Duration of the Project implementation: from 2^nd March, 2012 to 30^th September, 2015.

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AMIS

The Project „Strengthening external evaluation system of Higher Education Institutions“ was implemented according to 2007-2013 Human Resources Development Priority 2 measure „Education quality assurance and strengthening monitoring systems“

The aim of the Project – strengthening external assessment system of higher education. The project‘s target group – employees of higher education institutions and experts.

During the period of Project implementation evaluation process of institutional review of all Higher Education Institutions (both universities and colleges) and their study programmes was started, which contributed to the quality assurance and  efficiency of science and education system in line with the European Higher Education Area provisions. Before this Project was carried out only the evaluation of colleges was performed, but it was given to evaluate those colleges, which were established by the reorganization of the colleges, the quality of performance, in particular, to determine whether the college has met the conditions set out in the period of its foundation. The methodology for preparation self-evaluation report by Higher Education Institution and methodology for institutional review was prepared, trainings for employees of higher education Institutions were organized. During the training participants acquire required knowledge how to prepare the self-evaluation report of the Higher Education Institution, prepare for the external evaluation.

Projects results achieved:

• The methodology for writing self-evaluation of HEI and methodology for external Institutional review was prepared.
• 2 trainings for HEI employees- self-evaluation report writers – was organized, 95 persons has been trained.
• External evaluation of 15 HEI was performed.
• Evaluation of 745 study programmes was performed.
• 15 work places was made and people were employed to carry out projects activities
• An indoor repair was made.

Budget of the Project: 1.654.809,44 €
Duration of the Project implementation: from 1^st September, 2009 to 25^th November, 2012.

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KAPRIS

KAPRIS was a project implemented to facilitate the introduction of a decentralised system of academic recognition of foreign qualifications concerning higher education in Lithuania.

The decentralised system of academic recognition was established in 2012. Following the system authorised higher education institutions could provide academic recognition of foreign qualifications for study purpose. KAPRIS was aimed to develop information and other tools and to provide training, which would facilitate higher education institutions to fulfil the new function, and which would guarantee cooperation between the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) and higher education institutions in the field of recognition. KAPRIS had five partner universities: Kauno technologijos universitetas, Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas, Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas, Vilniaus Gedimino technikos universitetas, Vilniaus universitetas.

Project results:

• Preparation for developing of electronic recognition services enabling stakeholders to receive our services online and providing one platform for all institutions involved in recognition  encompassing development of a new SKVC website, an electronic system for management of recognition documentation, and 7 country profiles providing information on the systems of education, etc. ;
• 8 training sessions for higher education institutions;
• Three publications for recognition of qualifications and methodology for conversion of grades;
• Three study visits to competent institutions in Denmark, Germany and Norway were organized for the project’s partners to be acquainted with the decentralised recognition systems in practice;
• Recommendations and consultations concerning development of recognition procedure were provided to higher education institutions during all of the project;
• Infrastructure and specialised professional competencies of SKVC were updated, as necessary to keep the quality of services;
• International conference organized in Vilnius in 2015 was aimed to discuss acute questions regarding recognition of transnational education;
• Other supporting activities.

Target group of the project: education institutions, students, holders of foreign qualifications, employers.

Title of the project:  Developing the System of Academic Recognition (KAPRIS)

Duration of the project:  from February, 2012 to September, 2015

The project was financed by the European Structural Funds.

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SKAR-3: Development of a system for the description of studies  

Project “Development of a system for the description of studies” was carried out by implementation of 9th Priority “Public education and raising the human potential” in European Union Investment Fund Action Program (2014-2020) realization measure 09.3.1-ESFA-V-732 “Improvement of Study System”. 

Main aim of the Project was the development of a system of the descriptors for Lithuanian study fields.

The main purpose for launching the Project has been absence of Descriptors for Study fields, which are necessary for successful study programmes development and implementation. The Descriptor for Study field is the main document designed for Higher Education Institutions to ensure easier process when developing new or improving existing programs of a certain study field. The document provides basic information how new study programmes should be prepared and how already existing ones should be improved with intended learning outcomes, study methods and other parameters of study programme in that study field. Descriptors are encouraging Higher Education Institutions to assume responsibility for quality of their studies and requirements for provided qualifications. Also, prepared Descriptors can be used for the external evaluation of study programmes too. 

Results of this Project are useful for experts, evaluating Lithuanian higher education institutions and study programmes. It contributes to the improvement of Lithuanian qualification system. After implementation of the project, the system regulating Lithuanian studies are meeing the requirements of the European Higher Education Area, which is reflected in the European Qualifications Framework. Furthermore, this Project is helpful for completion of Lithuanian qualifications framework by regulating intended learning outcomes and introducing student centred learning. Prepared Study Descriptors complete legal acts, which were describing hierarchy of intended learning outcomes.

Results of this project: 

• Methodology of creating descriptors of study fields for various levels of study were updated. 
• 22 new study field descriptors were prepared.
• 37 study field descriptors were updated.
• 45 study field descriptors were translated from Lithuanian language to English.
• 4 two-day training sessions for those responsible for drafting descriptors of study field descriptors were organised. During training sessions overall 120 individuals have been trained.
• 8 seminars for higher education programme developers and implementers organised. The academic community was introduced to the descriptions of the fields of study developed by the project and were trained on how to use the descriptions of the fields of study. 
• During training sessions overall 203 individuals have been trained.
• 45 study field descriptors were translated from Lithuanian language to English.

Project duration: 4th of September, 2018 – 31st of December, 2022.

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SKAR-2

The Project was implemented according to 2007-2013 Human Resources’ Operational Programme‘s 2dn priority‘s „The Lifelong Learning“ tool „Development and Renewal of  Study Fields’ Descriptors Regulating Studies, Taking into Consideration New Qualitative Requirements“.

The main aim of the Project is to develop a system of descriptors which regulate studies. Study field descriptor is a key document used by higher education institutions while creating new or developing ongoing study programmes of a specific study field. It provides primary guidance of how to formulate study results and other parameters of a new study programme and how to improve them in ongoing study programmes. It also helps to choose study methods. Descriptors of study fields encourage higher education institutions to take responsibility for set requirements of given qualifications and quality of studies. They can also be used for external assessment of study programmes‘ quality.

Results achieved during the Project:

• International seminar was organised during which team members of experts who produced the descriptors, employees of the Centre, Lithuanian science and education policy and decision-making authorities‘ representatives were introduced to the experience of foreign regulation, creation and development of study field descriptors. During the seminar 70 people were introduced to the good practice of creation of study field descriptors and applying them in practice.
• 5 two-day trainings for creators of study field descriptors were organised. During them 180 people were trained.
• 53 study field descriptors were created.
• 2 seminars-discussions on study field descriptors were organised.
• 5 seminars in Vilnius and Kaunas were organized for the creators and operators of study programmes in higher education institutions. During them the academic community was introduced to study field descriptors which were prepared during the Project. They were also trained how use the descriptors. All in all, 184 people were trained.
• International seminar for the employees of higher education institutions was organised. During it the academic community and social partners discussed reglamentation issues of studies, study process and quality management, inspired by legislative changes. 102 people participated in the event.

Duration of the project: from 24^th May, 2012 to 30^th September, 2015.

Budget of the Project: 2 659 734,00 Lt (770 312,21 Eur)

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SKAR

Study programmes in the higher education institutions being carried out in individual understanding of programme providers. Noticeably, study programmes of the same study field and study cycle carried out in different institutions are substantial different, they are created according to the qualifications held by teachers rather than the relevant study field and cycle graduates with the necessary competences to provide. The reason for this is lack of clear requirements that would apply to the specific direction to the graduate study programmes. Project‘s target group – academics and experts, who are either providing or evaluating study programmes. The Project aim has been to create study cycle descriptions where is stated what needs to know person graduating the appropriate level of studies. It had been also started to prepare the study field descriptions based on learning outcomes determining the specific requirements of the relevant study field, type, cycle. Since the biggest part of study field descriptions creators will be teachers and experts who don’t have an experience, there was created training curriculum and training activities. It was intended to improve the quality of studies focusing on the competencies necessary for professional and social activities.

The results of the Project:            

• The study on regulations of studies in the other countries was prepared.
• Glossary on Study and studies related terminology was prepared.
• Study cycle descriptor, approved by the Minister of Education and Science, was prepared.
• Methodology for development of study field descriptors of different study cycles was prepared.
• Recommendations for development of study field and group of study field descriptors, approved by the Minister of Education and Science, was prepared.
• Training programme for creators of study fields’ descriptors was prepared.
• Training of creators of the study field descriptors (informatics and social work) took place.
• Drafts of informatics and social work study field descriptors were prepared.

Budget of the Project: 1.240.336 Lt.

Duration of the Project implementation: from 22^nd September, 2009 to 22^nd March, 2012.

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SQUARE

The Project aimed at further development of a quality assurance system for the ENIC-NARIC networks, based on a set of standards and guidelines.

Planned outputs included::

• Development of a typology of recognition centres;
• Development of self-evaluation protocol for ENIC-NARIC centres;
• Adapting the standards and guidelines of the previous EARN Project;
• Having the standards and guidelines adopted by the ENIC-NARIC networks;
• Facilitating the self-evaluation of individual ENIC-NARIC centres;
• Facilitating peer review visits of ENIC-NARIC centres among each other.

The SQUARE project consortium consisted of representatives from the ENIC-NARIC network: UK NARIC, NARIC France, NARIC Lithuania, NARIC Netherlands, NARIC Ireland, ENIC Canada, NARIC Portugal, NARIC Slovenia. Other partners involved were the European Consortium of Accreditation (ECA) and the Vice-President of the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee.

Among other activities, in terms of SQUARE Project, SKVC as Lithuanian ENIC/NARIC centre performed self-evaluation and received a visit by peers, including Italian NARIC (CIMEA) and Bologna expert from Lithuania, in January 2016. The review report was concluded. Areas for improvement identified and discussed both with the review panel and internally at SKVC.

Similarly, in January 2016, colleagues from SKVC were on a site visit to Canadian ENIC (CICIC) with the aim to discuss their self-evaluation report and identified potential action lines. The review panel also included a colleague from ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service of Canada).

Project implementation period was from July 2014 to March 2016.

SQUARE was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

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STREAM

The Project aims to improve the knowledge and skills of admissions officers in providing fair and smooth recognition to applicants.

Planned outputs include:

• Development of a training platform in recognition, based on the EAR HEI manual;
• Creating commitment among European HEIs for the good practice in the EAR HEI manual;
• Providing training to European admissions officers via the online platform;
• Collecting and discussing examples of good practice via assignments in the training course;
• Improving the recommendations of the EAR HEI manual, based on the input of the admissions officers.

The STREAM online training and good practice platform is accessible to 31 March 2016. Participation is free of charge.

For more information, go to: http://www.enic-naric.net/stream-the-online-training-platform-for-admissions-officers.aspx

The STREAM consortium is composed of representatives from the ENIC-NARIC network: NARIC France, NARIC Denmark, NARIC Lithuania, NARIC Netherlands (coordinator), NARIC Ireland, NARIC Italy and NARIC Latvia. Other partners involved are: the European University Association (EUA); Tuning; the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK); the European Student Union; a special advisor from the US Network for Education Information (USNEI); the Vice-President of the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee.

Project implementation period was from July, 2014 to March, 2016.

STREAM is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

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AURBELL

The project AURBELL aimed to analyse the recognition legislation and practices in the Baltic countries and to explore possibilities for automatic recognition of academic degrees between Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

The comparative study about education systems, reforms carried to date and recognitions practices in the Baltic States is one of major outputs of the project.

The international conference to discuss the phenomena of qualifications and automatic recognition was arranged on March 21, 2016. Further, the proposal to the ministries of education of Baltic countries concerning the measures and steps necessary to amend national legislation related to the (automatic) recognition of foreign qualifications was made and discussed at the tri-partite ministerial meeting in June 2016.

The consortium was composed of 3 organisations: Academic Information Centre (Latvian NARIC – coordinator), Archimedes Foundation (Estonian NARIC), and Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (Lithuanian NARIC).

Project implementation period was August, 2014 - March, 2016.

AURBELL received co-funding by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

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EU-MTR

The project aims to enhance the awareness and the use of mobility and recognition tools (EQF, national qualifications frameworks, Europass, Diploma Supplement, ECTS credits and the EAR-HEI manual). This is done by setting up user-oriented training sessions on the use of mobility and recognition tools in partner countries and also carrying out a transnational conference on the topic that will assemble different actors (HEIs, professional employers and administration bodies) linked to mobility in order to create synergies and closer cooperation between them and reinforce cooperation with policy makers.

The consortium is composed of French ENIC-NARIC (Coordinator), Croatian ENIC-NARIC, Italian ENIC-NARIC, Latvian ENIC-NARIC, Lithuanian ENIC-NARIC and Dutch ENIC-NARIC.

By organising face to face user-oriented trainings and seminars, the project will allow a closer cooperation and closer exchanges between the ENIC-NARIC network, HEIs and employers. These activities will ensure the awareness and the use of different mobility recognitions tools (i.e. European qualifications framework, national qualifications frameworks, Europass, Diploma Supplement, ECTS credits and the EAR-HEI manual) by the above mentioned stakeholders.

The project is a follow-up of the previous European QFs – UHSE project (The use or potential use of qualifications frameworks (QFs) by higher education institutions (HEIs) and other stakeholders linked to mobility).

Project implementation period was from 2014 to 2015.

EU-MTR is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

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SCAN-D

The project SCAN-D aimed to collect samples of national degree certificates from 15 participating ENIC-NARIC network members. With these samples a final online database was created and made available as a useful tool for all the other members of the ENIC-NARIC network in order to improve fair recognition processes within the whole network. One of the main elements that each credential evaluator has to take in consideration is the composition of the academic document received from applicants seeking recognition: the knowledge of different degree formats, Diploma Supplements and transcripts is the first step to check the validity of an application and its corresponding documents.

SKVC participated in the creation of the database, which has security features in order to protect data confidentiality and integrity, and is accessible only to authorized credential evaluators of ENIC-NARIC centres from 55 countries (http://www.enic-naric.net/country-pages.aspx).

The consortium was composed by 15 different ENIC and NARIC centres from 15 different countries, plus another Italian partner (AssRui) that works jointly with the Italian NARIC centre (coordinating institution) to develop and maintain all the services provided in the Italian context. The participating countries are:

• NARIC: Italy, Belgium (Flemish Community), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain;
• ENIC: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, New Zealand.

SCAN-D was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

Project implementation period: from July, 2014 to September, 2015.

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RENSA

The principal aim of the project Recognition of Non-Country Specific Awards (RENSA) was to the further development and sharing of good practice and information to support fair and, as appropriate, consistent recognition of non-country specific qualifications. Non-country specific awards are defined as being defined as those which are wholly international, and do not form part of any one national education system. In practice there are no dedicated guidelines of good practice for the evaluation of non-country specific qualifications nor a clear means of sharing and saving examples of recognition decisions taken by NARICs.

The impact of the project was projected to be threefold:

• The ENIC and NARIC networks benefit from a central, reliable resource both on good practice in evaluating non-national qualifications and from a central resource, accessible to all centres
• The individual centres participating in the study benefit from sharing and reflecting on their recognition procedures for non-country specific awards
• Other stakeholders in the EHEA benefit from the smooth and fair recognition of these awards: students holding these qualifications; along with higher education institutions and employers that may receive applications from these students for the purpose of further study or employment.

The project was coordinated by the UK NARIC (the United Kingdom), with project partners from the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (Malta), the Agency for Science and Higher Education (Croatia), Quality and Qualifications Ireland (Ireland) and the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (Lithuania).

The project was carried out from March, 2016 to August, 2017.

The project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

The results of the project are available below:

RENSA Guidance and Template for Evaluation

RENSA Explanatory Note

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ISOBAQ: Information System on pre-Bologna Academic Qualifications

The objective of the project was to gather in a single online information system (OIS) structured information about the existing national legislation and levelling of the existing pre-Bologna HE qualifications towards the current national HE qualifications, the corresponding National Qualification Frameworks and the Bologna cycles. Such a structured information source is used as helpful tool for comparison, assessment and fair recognition, and transparency having in mind insufficient information about national levelling and status of pre-Bologna HE qualifications. Samples of the pre-Bologna HE qualifications in question add value to the final online information system. The information system promotes and facilitates the mobility in the field of education and employment by enhancing the trust-based fair recognition of pre-Bologna HE qualifications.

The main activities necessary for implementation of the project were as follows:

• Gathering information about the national legislation: each project partner collected and processed information about the national legislation and levelling of the existing pre-Bologna HE qualifications towards the current national HE qualifications, the corresponding NQFs and the Bologna cycles;
• Gathering of existing samples of pre-Bologna HE qualifications: project partners collected and processed national samples of diplomas, representing the different existing pre-Bologna qualifications in time;
• Designing, drafting and creating of the online information system, and actual uploading of the information and collected pre-Bologna samples;
• Information, publicity and dissemination activities of the project.

Target group: information provided in the online systemes was a useful tool for the ENIC-NARIC network and for credential evaluators working within the structures of the ENIC and NARIC centres, providing reliable and relevant background information that could facilitate the proper evaluation and recognition of pre-Bologna qualifications.

The project consortium consisted of the seven NARIC centres representing East European region as follows: Bulgarian ENIC-NARIC (project coordinator), Croatian ENIC-NARIC, Estonian ENIC-NARIC, Latvian ENIC-NARIC, Lithuanian ENIC-NARIC, Polish ENIC-NARIC, Romanian ENIC-NARIC.

The project was carried out from 1^st April, 2016 to 30^th September, 2017.

ISOBAQ co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

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LIREQA: Linking Academic Recognition and Quality Assurance 

Project is implemented under Erasmus+ programme (Key action 3: Support for Policy Reform) initiative for policy innovation giving support to forward-looking cooperation projects on policy developments and European policy experimentations led by high level organisations and public authorities to stimulate innovate policies and prepare their implementation.

Project aims at contributing to fair recognition of qualifications by developing recommendations to relate academic recognition and both internal and external quality assurance. Outcomes of this project are related with the implementation of the revised Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European of Higher Education Area (ESG) endorsed by Ministers of Education in Yerevan in May 2015 , which contains a clear expectation to align institutional recognition with principles of the LRC, and to foster cooperation with other institutions, quality assurance agencies, national ENIC/NARIC centres. Project activities include desk research and surveys of ENIC/NARIC centers, Quality Agencies, Higher Education Institutions on the status quo and future expectations; developing recommendations for ensuring fair recognition via quality assurance mechanisms; validation and dissemination within ENIC/NARIC centres, Quality agencies, Higher Education Institutions. Project is devoted to enhance the European dimension in recognition and to contribute to policy development of recognition on the European agenda, to establish benchmarking, best practices, to promote cooperation between members of the network partners in the field of recognition, to ensure coherence and interactivity with other partners and networks in related fields.

Objectives:

1. mapping the present situation and learning of expectations and possibilities for improvement from the main stakeholders (ENIC/NARIC centres, Quality Agencies, Higher Education Institutions);
2. creating a set of recommendations to address fair recognition of qualifications via external and internal quality assurance;
3. capacity building of ENIC/NARIC centres, Quality Agencies and Higher Education Institutions.

Project partnership consists of:

• NARIC centers: SKVC (coordinator, LT), AIC (LV), EP-Nuffic (NL), NOKUT (NO);
• Quality Agencies: CTI (FR), ANECA (ES), AQU Catalunya (ES), Unibasq (ES);
• Networks: European Association for Quality Assurance of Higher Education (ENQA);
• Advisory Board: President of Intergovernmental Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee (LRC); representative of ESU (European Student Union); representative of higher education institutions, coming from EUA; External expert, former member of NARIC Advisory Board.

Project results: 

• An overview of project activities; 
• Survey of HEIs; 
• Survey of ENIC/NARIC centres; 
• Survey of QA agencies;
• LIREQA Recommendations for HEIs, QA agencies and ENIC/NARIC centres.  

International final conference of LIREQA project in Vilnius on 22 May 2019  

• Conference agenda  
• Conference speakers
• Conference moderators 
• Presentations by speakers: 
  • Recognition as a key to quality, access, and internationalization for students 
    Adam Gajek, President of European Student Union 
  • Is development of quality assurance and quality culture panacea for everything? 
    Tia Loukkola, European University Association 
  • Monitoring of implementation of the principles of the LRC as a tool to improve recognition 
    Gunnar Vaht, President of Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee 
  • External review of QA agencies: addressing effectiveness of internal quality assurance by external quality assurance 
    Caty Duykaerts, Vice-President of ENQA 
  • Peer review of ENIC/NARIC centres and tools for HEIs to improve recognition practices 
    Bas Wegewijs, Nuffic (Dutch ENIC/NARIC), The Netherlands 
  • Recognition and Quality Assurance in Higher Education Institutions: Connecting the Dots  
    Aurelija Valeikienė, Deputy Director of SKVC
• Photos from the conference – on SKVC Facebook page 

Project implementation timeline: 1 December 2016 – 30 May 2019.

For more information:

Ms. Aurelija Valeikienė, Project Manager
Tel. (+370 5) 210 5402
aurelija.valeikiene@skvc.lt

Ms. Natalja Bogdanova 
Tel. (+370 5) 210 6304 
natalja.bogdanova@skvc.lt 

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