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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

Draft 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
8:30 – 9:00 Registration
9:00 – 9:10 Opening of PLA

Jon Vercellono, MFHEA
9:10 – 9:45 Key Note – Passporting of the EQF & NQF

  • Concept of “passporting” in the context of academic qualifications
  • EQF vs NQF
  • Recognition practises within the EHEA

Stefan Sant, MFHEA
9:45 – 10:20 EQF and National Qualifications Frameworks

  • Legal considerations
  • Governance challenges
  • The European Degree

Stefan Sant, MFHEA
10:20 – 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:00 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
  • “Substantial Difference” Principle
  • Challenges to consistent recognition within the EHEA

Speaker TBD
11:00 – 11:45 Legal and governance considerations

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

Speaker TBD

International institutions

  • Experience of IMLI and its students

Dr. Elda Belja, Chief of Administration, IMLI
11:45 – 12:20 Europass

  • EQF’s standing with the Europass documents
  • How is it regulated?
  • Guaranteed recognition?

Speaker TBD
12:20 – 12:50 Lunch
12:50 – 13:25 Tour de table exercise:

Recognition of EQF

Recognition of NQFs

Recognition of ENIC/NARIC statements

Recognition of Europass
13:25 – 13:35 Health break
13:35 – 14:25 PLA discussion: Towards a practical passporting model

  • What can make an EQF/NQF stamped certificate passportable?
  • What governance arrangements are required?
  • What safeguards are necessary to ensure consistent interpretation?
  • What should distinguish comparability from recognition and legal effect?

Speaker TBD
14:30 – 15:00

______________

 Conclusions, key findings and next steps

  • Summary of key issues identified
  • Areas requiring further investigation
  • Potential recommendations
  • Identification of governance, legal and quality-assurance priorities
  • Agreement on next steps

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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