On January 2015 Vilnius was visited by the expert team, that ran an external review of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) as Lithuanian ENIC-NARIC representative.
“We believe, that many international projects in which SKVC actively participates, including the SQUARE Project, contribute both towards improvement of our own work and help advance the academic recognition field in general. Cooperation with fellow ENIC/NARIC centres and other stakeholders in higher education both at home and abroad are among our top priorities” , – deputy director Aurelija Valeikiene said.
The self-evaluation consists of an analysis of compliance with the standards and guidelines for good practice. These standards are based mainly on the EAR Manual, also Recommendation on Criteria and Procedures (adopted in Riga in 2001, revised in Sèvres in 2010), and combined with some elements of the Joint ENIC-NARIC Charter of Activities and Services.
SKVC managed to be self-critical and the review panel agreed with our self-evaluation findings against SQUARE standards and guidelines as follows:
1. Procedures, Criteria and Quality Assurance – substantial compliance,
2. Applicant-centered Recognition – full compliance,
3. Quality, Legitimacy and Authenticity – full compliance,
4. Evaluation Tools and Resources – substantial compliance,
5. Transparency and Information Provision – substantial compliance,
6. (Inter)national Cooperation and Presentation – full compliance.
“We are determined to further improve our work around the action points included in the SWOT analysis and following recommendations of the review panel. SKVC has already started discussions with both the Ministry of Education and Science and other stakeholders regarding the future shape of the academic recognition system. SKVC is open to explore various possible routes with the ultimate aim of assuring recognition is implemented professionally and consistently”, – deputy director Aurelija Valeikiene said.
The expert team comprised of Ms Vera Lucke (CIMEA), Ms Silvia Bianco (CIMEA), Ms Raimonda Markevičienė (Vilnius University) will meet the management of the Centre Ms Nora Skaburskienė (Acting Director of SKVC), Ms Ieva Vaiciukevičienė (Head of Division for Law and General Affairs) and other members of the staff responsible for the self-evaluation such as Ms Aurelija Valeikienė (Deputy Director), Ms Giedra Katilauskienė (Head of Division for Qualifications Assessment), Ms Rima Žilinskaitė (Deputy Head of division for Qualifications Assessment), Ms Kristina Sutkutė (Information and Assessment Officer), Ms Eglė Grigonienė (Information and Assessment Officer).
ENIC/NARIC functions have been fulfilled by the SKVC since 1999; the Centre shares a considerable relevant experience by providing consultations and information to natural and legal persons about academic and professional recognition of foreign qualifications, Lithuanian and foreign education systems, recognition of the periods of study and other issues.
