The ASEAN Qualifications

Reference Framework
(AQRF)
TERESITA R. MANZALA
CHAIRPERSON
PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION

Outline of Presentation
I. The ASEAN MRA
II. The ASEAN Qualifications Reference
Framework
III. Challenges

Conceptual Framework
ASEAN MRA

AQRF

PQF

Recognition of

Development of

Harmonization of

Qualifications

Qualifications

Qualifications

MOBILITY OF PROFESSIONALS
COMPETITIVENESS OF FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS

Setting the Context

1. The Philippine International Commitments
1.1 Multilateral
WTO-GATS
IMO-STCW
1.2 Plurilateral
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework
APEC
1.3 Regional
ASEAN CCS and MRA
ASEAN Plus
ASEAN EU FTA
ASEAN-Korea FTA
ASEAN-China FTA
ASEAN-India FTA
ASEAN-Japan FTA
1.4 Bilateral
Philippine-European Union Cooperative Partnership Agreement
PhilippineJapan Economic Partnership Agreement
Trans Transpacific Partnership

The ASEAN MRA: OBJECTIVES

1. Facilitate mobility of practitioners within
ASEAN

The ASEAN MRA: OBJECTIVES

1. Facilitate mobility of practitioners within
ASEAN
2. Exchange information and enhance
cooperation in respect of mutual recognition
of practitioners

The ASEAN MRA: OBJECTIVES

1. Facilitate mobility of practitioners within
ASEAN
2. Exchange information and enhance
cooperation in respect of mutual recognition
of practitioners
3. Promote adoption of best practices on
standards and qualifications

The ASEAN MRA: OBJECTIVES

1. Facilitate mobility of practitioners within
ASEAN
2. Exchange information and enhance
cooperation in respect of mutual recognition
of practitioners
3. Promote adoption of best practices on
standards and qualifications
4. Provide opportunities for capacity building
and training of practitioners

The ASEAN MRAs

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

DATE OF SIGNING

1. ENGINEERING

Dec. 2005

2. NURSING

Dec. 2006

3. SURVEYING

Nov. 2007

4. ARCHITECTURE

Nov. 2007

5. DENTISTRY

Aug. 2008

6. MEDICINE

Aug. 2008

7. ACCOUNTANCY

Feb. 2009

ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY

2015

SINGLE MARKET AND

PRODUCTION BASE

Free flow of
professional
services
Free
flow
of
goods
Free
flow of
investm
ent

Source:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7601994244_5d9ab99785_b.jpg

Free
flow of
capital

Free
flow of
skilled
labor

AFAS Article V: Recognition

ASEAN Member States may recognize the
education or experience obtained,
requirements met, or licenses or certifications
granted in another ASEAN Member State, for
the purpose of licensing or certification of
service suppliers

ASEAN MRA Article III. Recognition

and Eligibility of Foreign Professional
3.1 Recognition of a Foreign Professional
In possession of a professional qualification
Valid professional registration and current
practising certificate/license
Has been in active practice for:
Dentistry: 5 years
Medicine: 5 years
Nursing: 3 years

Article III. Recognition and Eligibility

of Foreign Professional
3.1 Recognition of a Foreign Professional
In compliance with CPD at satisfactory level
Certified by PRA of not having violated any
professional or ethical standards
Has declared that there is no pending
investigation or legal proceeding

Article III. Recognition and Eligibility

of Foreign Professional
3.2 Eligibility of a Foreign Professional
A foreign professional who satisfies the above
conditions shall be recognized as qualified to
practice in the Host Country

III. The Philippine Roadmaps

(Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing)
for the
Implementation of the
ASEAN MRA

The Roadmap Template: Criteria

I. Exchange of Information
II. Facilitation of Mobility of Healthcare
Professionals
III. Capacity-building and Training
IV. Financing Mechanisms Best Practices
V. Malpractice Insurance

The Roadmap Template

I. Exchange of Information: Compilation
1. Recognized Basic Qualifications and List of
Recognized Institutions
2. Recognized Postgraduate Qualifications and
List of Recognized institutions
3. Domestic Laws and Regulations
4. Basic/Specialist Core Competencies / Scope
of Practice

The Roadmap Template

5. Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
and Practice Guidelines
6. Continuing Professional Development
Requirements
7. Registration Policies and Procedures
8. Licensing Policies and Procedures

The Roadmap Template

9. Number of Foreign Professionals practicing
in host country (by country of origin and by
type of practice)
10. Contact Details of Professional Regulatory
Authority (address, email, website, phone,
fax)
11. Access to all AMS for certificate of good
standing (by request only) and verification of
registration status by host PRA

The Roadmap Template

II. Facilitation of Mobility of Healthcare
Professionals
Local professional

apply

Foreign country
(Institutions:
hospitals, companies)

Status: Generalist
Specialist
Certificate of Good Standing
Local PRA

Host PRA

Conceptual Framework
ASEAN MRA

AQRF

PQF

Recognition of

Development of

Harmonization of

Qualifications

Qualifications

Qualifications

MOBILITY OF PROFESSIONALS
COMPETITIVENESS OF FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS

PHILIPPINE QUALIFICATIONS
FRAMEWORK (PQF)

NQFs Levels (Unified)

COUNTRY

NUMBER OF LEVELS

PHILIPPINES

THAILAND

MALAYSIA

INDONESIA

BRUNEI

CAMBODIA

AUSTRALIA

10

NEW ZEALAND

10

Conceptual Framework
ASEAN MRA

AQRF

PQF

Recognition of

Development of

Harmonization of

Qualifications

Qualifications

Qualifications

MOBILITY OF PROFESSIONALS
COMPETITIVENESS OF FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
I. BACKGROUND
May 2010, Manila: 1st AANZFTA Joint
Committee Meeting considered the draft of
the concept proposal for the ASEAN
Qualifications Reference Framework

ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA Economic

Cooperation Work Program (ECWP)

II. Governance

Creation of Task Force for the AQRF

Chair: PRC Chairperson Teresita Manzala
Vice-Chair: Megawati Santoso (Indonesia)
Members: Representatives from AMS

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
III. DEVELOPMENT
Phase 1: Policy concept paper
Regional forum
Workshops in ASEAN countries
Phase 2: Refinement of the model
Further regional fora / meetings
Finalize the framework

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
III. DEVELOPMENT
Phase 3: Capacity building for NQFs
Thailand-New Zealand (pilot project)

Philippines-Australia (proposal)

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF
IV. SCOPE
A common reference framework
Function: translation device
Comparison of qualifications across
participating AMS
Covers senior schooling, TVET and higher
education

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
V. PURPOSE: To enable comparisons of
qualifications across countries that will:
1. Support recognition of qualifications
2. Facilitate lifelong learning
3. Promote and encourage credit transfer and
learner mobility
4. Promote worker mobility

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
VI. PRINCIPLES
Voluntary in nature
Neutral influence on NQFs
Provide support and enhance each countrys
NQF

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
VII. PROCESSES: Underpinned by a set of agreed
quality assurance principles and broad stndards
related to:
The functions of the registering and
accrediting agencies
Education and training providers
Systems for the assessment learning and
issuing of qualifications
Regulation of the issuance of certificates

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
VIII. STRUCTURE: Learning Outcomes
Based on descriptors of levels of complexity of
learning outcomes
Facilitate comparisons and links

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
IX. STRUCTURE: Levels
Eight levels
Based upon a hierarchy of complexity of
learning outcomes

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
IX. STRUCTURE: Domains
Three domains
1. Knowledge and Skills
2. Application (context)
3. Responsibility and accountability

Comparison: Domains
PQF
1. Knowledge, skills, values

AQRF
1. Knowledge, skills

2. Application

2. Application

3. Degree of Independence

3. Responsibility and
accountability

LEVEL

PQF 6

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS
AND VALUES

Graduates at this level will have a broad and

coherent knowledge and skills in their field
of study for professional work and lifelong
learning

APPLICATION

Application in professional work in a broad

range of discipline and/or for further study

DEGREE OF
INDEPENDENCE

QUALIFICATION TYPE

Independent and /or in teams of related

field
Baccalaureate Degree

LEVEL
KNOWLEDGE AND
SKILLS
APPLICATION

AQRF 6
Are specialized technical and theoretical,
involving critical and analytical thinking
Are complex and changing
Involve the development of solutions to
resolve both complex and abstract issues

RESPONSIBILITY

Minimal guidance and demonstrated

initiative, adaptability and self direction
Defensible judgment and significant
planning, coordination and evaluation and
improvement of activities

NQF Domains and Levels

COUNTRY

DOMAINS

LEVELS

Philippines

Thailand

Malaysia

New Zealand

10

NQFs Levels (Unified)

COUNTRY

NUMBER OF LEVELS

PHILIPPINES

THAILAND

MALAYSIA

INDONESIA

BRUNEI

CAMBODIA

AUSTRALIA

10

NEW ZEALAND

10

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF)
X. REFERENCING
1. Criteria
2. Process
3. Structure
Proposed Target: 2018

INDONESIA
FORMAL ACADEMIC EDU

FORMAL VOCATIOAL/PROF EDU

S3

Subspesialist

S2

Spesialist

Professional

S1

D IV

D III

D II
DI
General High
School

Vocational Senior
High School

Elementary/Junior High School

3
2

MALAYSIA

THE PHL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK

LEVEL

BASIC
EDUCATION

TECHNICAL
EDUCATION AND
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

HIGHER EDUCATION

L8

DOCTORAL AND
POST DOCTORAL

L7

POST BACCALAUREATE
BACCALAUREATE
BACCALAUREATE

L6
L5

DIPLOMA

L4

NC IV
IV
NC

L3

NC III

L2

GRADE 12

NC II

L1

GRADE 10

NC I

ASEAN QUALIFICATIONS REFERENCE

FRAMEWORK (AQRF)
Country
(A)

AQRF

2
3

Qualifications
(A)

1
2

4
5

Country
(B)

Qualifications
(B)

ASEAN Qualifications Reference

Framework (AQRF
Comparability
Benchmarking
Concept of best fit

Challenge: Quality Assurance

Government
Regulatory
Authority

Higher
Education
Institutions

Accrediting
Bodies

Too many schools

Quality of implementation of curriculum
Quality of faculty
Resources (ex. clinical material)

Challenge: Quality Assurance

Government
Regulatory
Authority

Higher
Education
Institutions

Accrediting
Bodies

Government
Regulatory
Authority

Graduates

Professionals

Quality of Graduates / Passing percentages

Conceptual Framework
ASEAN MRA

AQRF

PQF

Recognition of

Development of

Harmonization of

Qualifications

Qualifications

Qualifications

MOBILITY OF PROFESSIONALS
COMPETITIVENESS OF FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS

Thank you very much for

your kind attention!
END OF PRESENTATION