The meeting of the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications Contact Points (CPs), Quality Assurance Agencies (QAAs), and ENIC/NARIC representatives of economies of Western Balkans took place on 17 and 18 October in Brussels. Representatives of all the economies were present, apart from Montenegro, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the director of the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE), and representatives of the Knowledge Innovation Centre (KIC).
The attendees were informed about progress on the status of agreements regarding recognition of academic and professional qualifications, to be signed on 3 November 2022 at the Berlin Summit.
Representatives of KIC presented the final Action Plans on quality assurance, in support of QA bodies in Western Balkans to achieve European Standards and Guidelines which would enable membership in ENQA and EQAR. These Action Plans will also assist QAAs in their joint work with ENQA to achieve the ESGs.
The discussion was also centered on the best options to support the QAAs. In this regard, the preliminary conclusion was for RCC to consider, apart from general support, the development of an individual economy-tailored assistance instrument that would enable QAAs to receive expertise on achieving the ESGs. It was also concluded that there was a need for a joint meeting between RCC, ERI SEE, KIC, ENQA, and Western Balkans QAAs to discuss accelerating support.
The preliminary findings of a joint master’s degree study program in IT were presented and followed an in-depth discussion. A detailed work plan was agreed which will be reflected in the final draft of the assignment to be delivered to WGRAQ in December 2022.
