National qualifications framework
A national qualifications framework encompassing all levels of education is in development. When it is finalised, it will be published here.
The elaboration of a NQF for higher education is a mandate of the State Secretariat for Education and Research to the three Rectors’ Conferences (Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and Universities of Teacher Education). In September 2005, a steering committee was set up including representatives of the Rectors’ Conferences, the State Secretariat, the Center of Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the Swiss Universities (OAQ), the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education, the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology, student bodies and the body of the non-professorial teaching staff. The steering group has close links to all national bodies involved in the Bologna Process.
A small working group including an expert in the field of education is in the process of developing the first draft. The final draft will be presented to the responsible political bodies for approval.
The working group proposes to follow the structure of the overarching EQF for EHEA (3 qualification levels) using the Dublin descriptors as national outcomes-based descriptors. At the same time, a close watch will be kept on the development of the EQF for LLL of the European Union.
At the present early stage, the ownership, control and maintenance of the future NQF have not yet been established. The decisions will be made by the appropriate political bodies.
The continual involvement of all concerned institutions and stakeholders is assured. A first informal survey on the possible functions of a NQF was undertaken in August 2006. A national conferences was held in January 2008.
(Source: Rector’s Conference of the Swiss Universities CRUS)
