Recognition of Foreign Diplomas
Who validates diplomas in the Republic of Croatia?
Nobody. Recognition of foreign education qualifications in the Republic of Croatia is, from July 1, 2004, conducted in accordance with the Law on Recognition of Foreign Education Qualifications (Official Gazette, numbers 158/2003 and 198/2003) and should not be identified with the previous validation procedure. In the process of recognition differentiating exams are generally not conducted, but a certain education level in the Croatian higher education system is ascertained, in accordance with the Law on Scientific Activity and Higher Education (item 69 – item 76), that your foreign higher education qualification can be equal in rights.
Which diplomas can be recognized in the Republic of Croatia?
It is possible to recognize all foreign higher education qualifications issued by a foreign higher education institution accredited by a competent accrediting government body wherein the qualification is acquired.
What is accreditation of higher education institution and study program?
Accreditation is a result of a review/evaluation of the education program or institution which monitors realization of standards previously agreed upon. It can be defined as recognition of a program or institution if it meets set standards. Most countries have established a system of formal evaluation of its higher education institutions, that is, the issuing of a license for a certain study program. If so, it should be taken into account in a positive way at the evaluation of a foreign qualification. However, if there is a record of negative evaluation of an institution, its date should also be taken account, and it should not be used for denial or limiting the decision on recognition of a foreign higher education qualification without consultation with the National Agency for Quality which evaluated the relevant institutions. Concerning the ever wider range of higher education institutions, the establishment of a great number of private higher education institutions in many countries, and significant differences in laws and practice for evaluation and recognition of higher education institutions, qualifications cannot be suitably estimated unless the institution that issued the qualification is taken into account, and whether that institution occupies a recognized position in the national higher education system.
In the Republic of Croatia accreditation of a higher education institution implies that the institution is registered as a higher education institution and listed in Register of Higher Education Institutions. If a study program is to gain accreditation, the institution which organizes it needs a license for organization of the study program, issued by the competent foreign accreditation government body. The license is a certificate which determines that a public scientific institute or a higher education institution meets the standards and terms for organization of a particular program. In the Republic of Croatia the competent accreditation body is the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.
How can I find out if a higher education institution has accreditation?
In the Republic of Croatia the Register of Higher Education Institutions is available on the web pages of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, containing a list of all higher education institutions in the Republic of Croatia with accreditation, that is, a license for work issued by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.
There are similar lists of higher education institutions abroad, of which some are available on the Internet while others are not. More information about a particular country can be found on the web pages of the ENIC/NARIC Network.
Is it necessary to recognize qualifications acquired in the area of former Yugoslavia?
The date of issue of a foreign higher education qualification is the depending factor in whether recognition is necessary or not. All foreign higher education qualifications issued up to October 8, 1991, in educational systems in the area of former Yugoslavia are legally equal to foreign higher education qualifications of educational institutions of the Republic of Croatia and are therefore not subject to recognition procedure.
Source:
The Agency for Science and Higher Education
