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Vocational and applied degrees now recognised

Vocational and applied degrees earned internationally and within the UAE will now be considered recognised qualifications in the UAE job market.
In a first for the UAE, the National Qualifications Authority (NQA) will now recognise vocational educational qualifications earned internationally and within the UAE.
Saqr Ghobash, UAE Minister of Labour and Chairman of NQA and several other senior officials in the education sector made announcements in this regard on Wednesday.
More than 70 graduates received certificates at an awarding ceremony hosted by NQA in partnership with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on Wednesday. The students, in some cases had to wait several years to gain recognition for their respective courses.
Emirates Aviation University was acknowledged as the first recognised vocational education provider in the UAE at the ceremony.
Examples of applied diplomas are aircraft maintenance, accounting, catering, and hairdressing.
"We are keen to continue the efforts with our partners at both the federal and local level to enhance the quality of educational qualifications acquired by citizens and residents alike," said Saqr Ghobash. "The recognition of international qualifications in Dubai in partnership with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority is a positive starting point in achieving this goal."
In Dubai, the qualifications are awarded by Qualifications and Awards in Dubai (QAD) - an awarding body recognised by the NQA. QAD works together with Vocational Education and Training Awards Council (VETAC) of the UAE, to compare qualifications and align it in accordance with the national framework. The service was launched following consultations with leading international awarding bodies.
Dr Naji Al Mahdi, Chief of Qualifications and Awards in Dubai (QAD) at KHDA who was also at the awarding ceremony said the new service will address challenges faced by young men and women by providing them with recognition for their qualifications.
Mahdi explained that governing bodies like the QAD and the NQA will provide graduates with a statement of recognition confirming that they can fill in the position they've been hired for. He recommended that students must research the value of and accreditation process of their vocational degrees before entering the UAE job market.
If the foreign degree is considered valid by the National Qualifications Framework, the applicant will be provided with a statement of recognition in 24 hours.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com