Lisbon Convention and Diploma Supplement
About the Lisbon Convention and the investigation of a Diploma Supplement.
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About the Lisbon Convention
New Zealand has acceded to the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the European Region (“the Lisbon Convention”).
The Lisbon Convention is a multilateral legal framework designed to facilitate the international recognition of higher education qualifications and periods of study. It was adopted at a diplomatic conference in Lisbon in 1997 and has since been adopted as part of the Bologna Process.
The central precept of the Lisbon Convention stipulates that degrees and periods of study must be recognised unless substantial differences can be proved by the institution that is charged with recognition. Alternately, the institution can request the person seeking the recognition to obtain an assessment (a written appraisal) of their qualification or period of study.
The Lisbon Convention came into force for New Zealand on 1 February 2008. By acceding to the Lisbon Convention, New Zealand joins Australia, Canada, the United States and most European countries. The Lisbon Convention is considered international best practice in higher education qualification recognition.
You can also access a copy of the Lisbon Convention from the Council of Europe's website.
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National Information Centre
The Lisbon Convention requires the establishment of a National Information Centre (NIC).
The NIC aims to facilitate access to authoritative and accurate information on New Zealand’s tertiary education system and qualifications and the other parties to the Convention. It also provides advice or information on recognition matters and assessment of qualifications of the other parties.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) operates as the National Information Centre. A National Information Centre portal at the NZQA website will be launched in July this year.
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Diploma Supplement
The Convention also requires the New Zealand government to promote the use of a Diploma Supplement or equivalent by its tertiary education organisations.
The Diploma Supplement is an annex to a qualification that provides more detail about that qualification. It is a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were successfully completed by the individual named on the original qualification.
The ministry and NZQA initiated a programme to investigate the desirability and feasibility of implementing a Diploma Supplement or equivalent for New Zealand.
You can find information on the Diploma Supplement programme on the NZQA website.