NARIC Ireland signatory to European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR) initiative

NARIC Ireland, QQI is delighted to have become a signatory to the Council of Europe ‘European Qualifications Passport for Refugees’ (EQPR) initiative, with support from colleagues in University College Dublin and the University of Limerick. We are privileged to join with nineteen other NARICs, leading national authorities, and higher education institutions, and in partnership with the UNCHR, in promoting this practical solution to support the integration of refugees in education and employment.

The EQPR is a standard, portable document that clearly presents results for individuals who have participated in a fair assessment of qualifications that cannot be fully documented. Refugees who do not have any proof of their prior learning can participate and have their qualifications assessed by trained, independent evaluators according to agreed processes. The document outlines the highest achieved qualification(s) as well as work experience and language proficiency. The explanatory and advisory sections of the EQPR contain information about the status of the document and a short description of the project.

The Lisbon Recognition Convention was ratified by Ireland in 2004. Article VII requires us to have procedures to quickly and fairly assess whether refugees and people who are displaced meet the requirements for access to further or higher education and employment, even where qualifications cannot be proven through documentary evidence. The EQPR helps us to meet this requirement and is endorsed by all 49 country members of the European Higher Education Area through the Rome Communiqué in 2020.

Nationally, this important step is a practical increase in our capacity to work effectively with refugees, acknowledging the reality of global mobility, strengthening our recognition responsiveness.

We invite interest from credential evaluators in admissions offices and guidance and recruitment roles to work with us - contact us by email at naric@qqi.ie

For further information, please see European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (coe.int)