On 26 October 2016, the Australian and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Governments signed a letter of intent to strengthen the bilateral relationship to enhance qualifications recognition between the two countries.
Following the signing of an MOU between Australia and the UAE in February 2016, the department’s Qualifications Recognition Policy section and the UAE’s National Qualifications Authority commenced discussions on areas for cooperation in education.
Signed by the Australian Ambassador to the UAE, Mr Arthur Spyrou, and the UAE Director General of the National Qualification Authority, H.E. Dr Thani Al Mehairi, the Letter of Intent agrees to cooperate in areas of mutual benefit, including enhancing qualifications recognition opportunities.
In the letter, Australia and the UAE agree to:
- compare the level descriptors of the two countries’ national qualifications frameworks through a technical mapping exercise
- share information on qualifications to support the decision making of recognition stakeholders
- agree on a joint report on the technical mapping of the levels of the Australian Qualifications Framework and the QFEmirates
- make a formal declaration confirming the mapping between the two Frameworks’ level descriptors, following agreement on the joint report, and
- commit to sharing information on Australia’s and UAE’s mutual recognition policies and processes for vocational education and technical qualifications.
The project has the potential to increase the recognition of graduates with Australian qualifications, in the UAE, and expand opportunities for Australian providers in the country. This project supports Goal 6 – Enhancing Mobility, in the National Strategy for International Education 2025 to promote the acceptance of Australian qualifications overseas.
