NQA Concludes Introductory Forum for Vocational Education and Training Institutions

The National Qualifications Authority (NQA) concluded the “First Introductory Forum for Vocational Education and Training Institutions” on Monday, November 17^th, which continued for four days in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras al- Khaimah, and was attended by 600 vocational education and training institutions, and a number of regulatory and donor authorities, in addition to various higher education and vocational institutions operating in the free zones.

The goal of the forum is to define the strategic directions of the Authority and the nature and importance of the Structure of the Qualifications Framework in earning the international recognition of qualifications, and to raise awareness to the concept of national vocational standards, and the system of registration and evaluation of vocational education and training institutions, which has been recently adopted by the Authority in accordance with a smart service, that is an easy electronic application which does not take more than seven minutes in all steps to include the institution in the Authority’s database. This smart service gives all institutions a great opportunity to review the legal work requirements and introduce their future programs as per the adopted standards and regulations that achieve sustainability in work and attract large numbers of educated and trained people, each according to its specialty.

The events included detailed introduction to the tasks entrusted to the Authority in line with the strategic objectives of the Authority for the coming years, and linking them with the UAE Strategic Vision 2021, in addition to determining the requirements for harmonization of learning outcomes for the three types of qualifications accredited by the Qualifications Framework, which are “major qualification, supplementary, and sub-qualification", with the Qualifications Framework levels.

His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Mehairi, General Manager of (NQA), said that the Forum has achieved the desired goal, which is to meet with the largest possible number of representatives of vocational educational and training institutions in particular in order to introduce the Authority’s strategic role, procedures, and policies.

Al Mehairi added that the Forum was interactive in most of its aspects, and it was the point of contact between the Authority and the audience who got acquainted with the nature of the Authority’s work in different axes, including determining the difference between the qualification and certification, identifying the methodology of granting equivalency for the foreign qualification according to the Qualifications Framework levels, the importance of recognition of life or irregular learning, and how to make the transition from one educational path to another according to the Qualifications Framework requirements.

The Authority confirmed during the Forum that its procedures in the evaluation and registration of centers and education and training institutions do not conflict with other relevant authorities’ procedures and do not constitute any kind of duplication with them.