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Dzirnavu Street 16/k2, Riga, Latvia

PLA on passporting

Qualifications Frameworks for trust, transparency and diversity – TPG A 2
(QUATRA – TPG A 2)
01.09.2025 – 31.08.2028

Peer Learning Activity

Qualifications Frameworks – Uniformity and Disparities in Passporting Qualifications

Agenda

27 October 2026

AX The Palace, Triq Il – Kbira, Sliema SLM 1542, Malta

Hosted by: Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), Malta

Time Topic
08:30 – 09:00 Registration
09:00 – 09:10 Welcome and Introduction

James Perry Maia, CEO, MFHEA
09:10 – 09:45

_______________

 Keynote Speech – Passporting of the EQF & NQF

  • Concept of “passporting” in the context of academic qualifications
  • EQF vs NQF

Stefan Sant, MFHEA
09:45 – 10:35 Recognition of Qualifications Across the EHEA

  • Current Recognition Practises across Participating Jurisdictions
  • Role of ENIC/NARIC networks and national recognition authorities
  • Differences in national approaches to recognition
  • Challenges to consistent recognition within the EHEA

Stefan Sant & Jon Vercellono, MFHEA

  • “Substantial Difference Principle”

Allan B. Pedersen, President of the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee
10:35 – 10:55 Coffee Break
10:55 – 11:15 International Institutions: Experience of IMLI and its students with the NQF & EQF regime

Dr. Elda Belija, Chief of Administration, International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI)
11:15 – 12:35 NQF & EQF in Use

EQF’s standing with the Europass Documents

Dorianne Cerovac, European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA)

Employers’ perspective – is the EQF and NQF working transnationally?

Ilaria Spiteri Axiak, Senior Advisor, MISCO

Is NQF Sufficient for Local Skills?

Glorianne Cachia, National Skills Council (NSC), Malta
12:35 – 13:35 Lunch
13:35 – 14:05 Legal and Governance Considerations

  • Who “owns” the EQF?
  • European Degree governance structure – a viable option?

Stefan Sant, MFHEA
14:05 – 14:35 Breakout Session

  • Group 1 – Recognition, Passporting of Qualifications and the EQF
  • Group 2 – Governance, Trust and the Future of Recognition
14:35 – 14:45 Health Break
14:45 – 15:05 Feedback from Breakout Groups

Rapporteurs from Each Group
15:10 – 15:20 Conclusions, Key Findings and Next Steps

  • Summary of Key Issues Identified
  • Areas Requiring Further Investigation
  • Potential Recommendations

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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