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Promotion of Academic Mobility

The rapid economic growth and accelerating pace of sub-regional and regional integration in Asia and the Pacific region require greater mobility and recognition of higher education qualifications by the universities in the region. The UNESCO Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific was adopted at the International Conference of States, held in Bangkok on 12-16 December 1983. The Convention serves as an important legal instrument for negotiation on the subject with concerned state parties, as an official channel to meet and to exchange information on qualifications by the universities and governments, and as an official channel to fit in the regional as well as international mechanism to promote mobility of the university students for higher studies and also of the graduate manpower, i.e., for improving mobility in labour market.

The signatories are not prevented from laying down strict eligibility conditions for admission in further education, including scholastic, cognitive and linguistic requirements.  Admission is also subject to availability of places, and other national government/university policies and procedures, including fees for foreign students. The Convention only guarantees willingness on the part of the government to promote the recognition of degrees and diplomas, but does not guarantee admission in further education nor does it guarantee employment in the labour market in the host countries.

The Convention entered into force on 23 October 1985. It subsequently entered into force for each State one month after the date of deposit of that State's instrument, except in case of succession, where the entry into force occurred on the date on which the State assumed responsibility for conducting its international relations. Thirty-one Member States were invited to the International Conference with the light to vote to the Bangkok Conference.

In view of this Convention, and with the support of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Asia and Pacific, the South-East Asian Ministers for Education Organization - Regional Institute for Higher Education (SEAMEO-RMD) conducted a survey of the higher education qualifications in Asia and the Pacific, and published a Handbook of Higher Education Qualifications in Asia and the Pacific (revised 2004).  Each country study in the handbook gives a country profile, a description of the structure of the education system in general and higher education in particular, and details on the characteristics of degrees, diplomas and other qualifications, study programmes, admission requirements, degree conferring agencies, national bodies for quality assurance, including for recognition, etc.

Regional Activities

Through the Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific, APEID provides financial and technical assistance and serves as secretariat to implement this regional convention, including organizing a regional committee meeting every two years, and building partnerships with various NGO's and IGO's concerned.  It assists in the providing of information on higher education and degrees in Member States for the mutual understanding and recognition of qualifications.

 

Resources

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