VUSSC/TQF2008/Tuesday

= TQF Meeting = = Tuesday February 26, 2008 = = Review of NQF Development in Small States ‚Äì Issues dealt with (See Andrea's slides for details) =


 * Purpose and rationale
 * Data sourcing
 * Working definition of QF
 * Language of QF
 * Certification processes
 * QA and Registration
 * Recognition of prior learning
 * Comparability
 * Terms requiring more consensus
 * Common purpose and drivers of NQF development
 * Nature of expectations by small states
 * Steps in NQF development
 * Policy breadth matrix
 * Funding
 * Prescriptiveness
 * Architecture
 * Guiding philosophies

MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS TO VERIFY COUNTRY INFO

Countries to provide detailed written responses to James by Wednesday

PACIFIC


 * Identified pieces of wrong info and omissions
 * Question about guiding philosophy

CARIBBEAN


 * Frame for gathering info didn‚Äôt fit reality of the region
 * How comprehensive is the TQF?
 * Is registration part of the QA process?
 * Contextual background is necessary

AFRICA


 * Some adjustments needed
 * Address omissions (e.g., Swaziland)
 * Change implementation criteria (see top of p.91)
 * Rating of countries may be contentious ‚Äì delete (see p.91)

MED & INDIAN OCEAN


 * Address omissions
 * Confusion around Levels 1 & 2 and 4 & 5.

TQF CONCEPT


 * Definition; boundary setting; principles and guidelines
 * Easier agreement with geographical proximity (But a mapping issue)
 * Common understanding of QFs
 * Lack of accreditation doesn‚Äôt equal lack of QA (e.g., in Jamaica, programs at UWI are quality assured but not accredited).
 * Unified system: advantages ‚Äì flexibility; transferability
 * Linked system - allows for differentiated contextual systems
 * Embrace 10 levels but focus on lower levels for starters (4 and 5)
 * Credit system ‚Äì based on notional hours

WORKING EXAMPLES WITHIN VUSSC

Joe Samuels


 * 10 levels
 * Level descriptors
 * Qualification descriptors
 * Qualifications criteria/guidelines (e.g., all Qs on TQF should be approved and registered by the appropriate national bodies or regional bodies)
 * Ministers-VUSSC initiated process
 * Map for comparability and recognition
 * Builds capacity and trust

Interrogating the Proposed TQF Concept (Afternoon Group Session)


 * Suggest ways in which the TQF can be used when there is no qualifications framework at a national or regional level?
 * How (else) would you design the TQF to meet your specific needs?
 * What value would the TQF add where an RQF exists?

Afternoon Group Session - Reports

CARIBBEAN

Use in absence of N/RQF


 * TQF offers credibility
 * Cross-border acceptance
 * Portability
 * Reciprocal recognition
 * Regional retention of workers
 * International recognition
 * Mobility; transparency
 * Reference point; Benchmark; equivalency; comparability

Design


 * Broad level descriptors
 * Catch all level qualifications in Q-descriptions
 * Standards for assuring quality across fields

Value-Added


 * External verification of NQ systems
 * Joint verification team
 * Linked to CARICOM
 * Sharing of resources

AFRICA

Use


 * Availability of local QA mechanism; liaison with COL re TQF
 * Ministry can establish special entity to liaise with COL

Design


 * 10 levels for TQF
 * Focus on Levels 3-5
 * Adopt a credit system and qualification criteria
 * QA assessment/awards under national arrangements.
 * VUSSC/COL logo on awards

Value-Added


 * Sharing of material
 * Contextual adaptation
 * Link frameworks back to MoE

MED & INDIAN OCEAN


 * Neutral conduit
 * TQF necessary tool to build an NQF (provides template)
 * Acts as a common denominator

PACIFIC

Use


 * Agreed set of guidelines
 * Providers ‚Äúdonate‚Äù good material

Design


 * Focus on outcomes
 * Facilitate. Not dictate
 * Equivalences; comparability

Value-Added


 * International recognition
 * Mobility outside region

Discussion


 * TQF at mega level runs the risk of too much generality
 * JK's Summary (technicoloured flow chart of process)

PARKED ISSUES ‚Äì TO BE REVISITED LATER (by Friday)

Tuesday, February 26th:* Scope of TQF ‚Äì modules, levels, etc
 * Register or Framework?
 * Definition of terms
 * Benefits to providers in participating on a voluntary basis in TQF
 * Linking providers to TQF
 * Enforcement powers of TQF (at meta level)