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 PQF AQRF

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
 Philippine–Japan 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 MRA’s

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
 SINGLE MARKET AND
PRODUCTION BASE
ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
2015 Free flow of
professional
services

Free
flow
of
goods Free
flow of
capital
Free
flow of
investm
ent
Free
flow of
skilled
Source: labor
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7601994244_5d9ab99785_b.jpg
 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
apply Foreign country
Local professional (Institutions:
hospitals, companies)

Status: Generalist
Specialist
Certificate of Good Standing
Local PRA Host PRA
 Conceptual Framework
ASEAN MRA PQF AQRF

Recognition of Development of Harmonization of

Qualifications Qualifications Qualifications

MOBILITY OF PROFESSIONALS

COMPETITIVENESS OF FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS

PHILIPPINE QUALIFICATIONS
FRAMEWORK (PQF)
 NQF’s Levels (Unified)
COUNTRY NUMBER OF LEVELS

PHILIPPINES 8

THAILAND 9

MALAYSIA 8

INDONESIA 9

BRUNEI 8

CAMBODIA 8

AUSTRALIA 10

NEW ZEALAND 10
 Conceptual Framework
ASEAN MRA PQF AQRF

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 NQF’s
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 NQF’s
• Provide support and enhance each country’s
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 AQRF
1. Knowledge, skills, values 1. Knowledge, skills

2. Application 2. Application

3. Degree of Independence 3. Responsibility and

accountability
 LEVEL PQF 6
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS Graduates at this level will have a broad and
AND VALUES 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 Independent and /or in teams of related

INDEPENDENCE field

QUALIFICATION TYPE Baccalaureate Degree

 LEVEL AQRF 6
KNOWLEDGE AND Are specialized technical and theoretical,
SKILLS involving critical and analytical thinking

APPLICATION 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 3 8

Thailand 7 8

Malaysia 8 8

New Zealand 3 10
 NQF’s Levels (Unified)
COUNTRY NUMBER OF LEVELS

PHILIPPINES 8

THAILAND 9

MALAYSIA 8

INDONESIA 9

BRUNEI 8

CAMBODIA 8

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 9

S2 Spesialist 8

Professional 7

S1 6
D IV
D III 5

D II 4

DI 3
General High Vocational Senior
School High School
2
Elementary/Junior High School 1
MALAYSIA
 THE PHL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK
TECHNICAL
LEVEL BASIC EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION
EDUCATION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

DOCTORAL AND
L8 POST DOCTORAL

L7 POST BACCALAUREATE

L6 BACCALAUREATE
BACCALAUREATE

L5 DIPLOMA

L4 NC IV
NC IV

L3 NC III

L2 GRADE 12 NC II

L1 GRADE 10 NC I
 ASEAN QUALIFICATIONS REFERENCE
FRAMEWORK (AQRF)
Country AQRF Country
(A) (B)

1 1
1
2 2
2
3 3
3
4
4 4
5
5
Qualifications 6 5 Qualifications
(A) (B)
6
7 6

8 7 7

9
8 8
 ASEAN Qualifications Reference
Framework (AQRF
• Comparability
• Benchmarking
• Concept of “best fit”
 Challenge: Quality Assurance

Government Higher
Accrediting
Regulatory Education
Bodies
Authority Institutions

• Too many schools

• Quality of implementation of curriculum
• Quality of faculty
• Resources (ex. clinical material)
 Challenge: Quality Assurance

Government Higher
Accrediting
Regulatory Education
Bodies
Authority Institutions

Government
Graduates Professionals
Regulatory
Authority

• Quality of Graduates / Passing percentages

 Conceptual Framework
ASEAN MRA PQF AQRF

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