[apeid.higher_education.bgk] New Zealand accedes to Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education

New Zealand accedes to Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education

New Zealand is the third country to ratify the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Convention which seeks to ensure that studies, diplomas and degrees in higher education are recognized as widely as possible.

A ceremony will take place on Friday at UNESCO Paris headquarters with Assistant Director-General of Education Mr Qian Tang and Mr David Atchoarena, Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems to honour the country's ratification of the UNESCO Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific.

China and Australia have already ratified the convention which aims to increase recognition of qualifications given the great diversity of educational systems in the Asia-Pacific Region and the richness of its cultural, social, political, religious and economic backgrounds.

The Convention reflects great changes in Higher Education in the region

The Convention was first adopted in Bangkok in 1983, however to reflect the enormous changes in education and in particular the growth and internationalization of higher education, UNESCO Member States adopted a new updated Convention at the International Conference of States, held in Tokyo, Japan in 2011.

There are 21 State-Parties to the 1983 Convention: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Australia, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Holy See, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. Eight states have so far signed the 2011 Revised Convention, subject to ratification, acceptance, approval or accession: Armenia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Republic of Korea, Timor-Leste, Turkey and the Holy See.

Related Links

Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on Qualifications Recognition

http://www.unescobkk.org/education/higher-education

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/new_zealand_accedes_to_asia_pacific_regional_convention_on_recognition_of_qualifications_in_higher_education/#.VsP88zZumUm 

Regards,

APEID Unit
UNESCO Bangkok
920 Sukhumvit Road, Phrakanong,
Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
Email: apeid.bgk@unesco.org
Web: http://www.unescobkk.org/education/apeid