Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...

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In this regard both organizations are helping the developing countries by facilitating knowledge
sharing at global and regional levels, by establishing communication among quality assurance
agencies and by supporting the production of analyses and guidelines. GIQAC completed its
first grant period in 2007-08, second in 2009-10. At present it is implementing its third grant
period (2010-11). GIQAC is being funded by the World Bank.
Capacity building activities, in the participating countries, that are financed by GIQAC include:
the development of international clearinghouse of information on QA, the development of global
working groups, regional seminars on quality assurance, training for external reviewers and
international staff exchanges of QA professionals to provide and receive technical assistance.
These initiatives are implemented through the global and regional partner NGOs and IGOs.
These organizations are: International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher
Education (INQAAHE), Association of African Universities (AAU), Arab Network for Quality
Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE) , Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN) and La
Red Iberoamericana para la Acreditación de la Calidad de la Educación Superior (RIACES) .
5.1.2.9 Recognition
With the increase of international student mobility and expansion of cross border education the
recognition of foreign degrees, diplomas and certificates is becoming more and more important
for the both receiving and sending countries. The recognition of educational credential means its
acceptance as a valid document or to make foreign credentials comparable. This gives its holder
similar or same rights that are enjoyed by persons who possess national credentials.
UNESCO has felt the need to address this problem long before to make student and knowledge
mobility possible. Today UNESCO‟s activities in recognition are centered around its six
Conventions on the Recognition of Qualifications (UNESCO, 2010). These conventions serve as
legal documents between the signatory countries. Furthermore UNESCO General Conference in
November 1993 adopted a Recommendation on the Recognition of Studies and Qualifications in
Higher Education to ease the mobility of persons and exchange of ideas, knowledge and
experiences both scientific and technological. These and other measures taken by UNESCO are
helpful in building the capacities of the member countries in recognition, networking of
institutions of higher education and research, exchange of knowledge, skills, competencies and
information, and enhancing bilateral cooperation at all levels.