Azerbaijan's
National Qualifications Framework
National Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning
of the Republic of Azerbaijan (adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers Decree No.311 dated 18 July 2018) is a tool for systematizing national
qualifications, developed for all citizens - learners, education providers and
employers and serves to facilitate the comparability between national and
international qualifications.
As yet, there is no system-wide implementation.
Different projects have contributed to pilots and studies, and currently
projects are underway or expected to be launched which will be able to move
developments forward in a more systematic way.
NQF Decree proposes a NQF as a
quality assurance tool for qualifications. The Decree contains general
provisions, the objectives of the AzQF, AzQF level descriptors,
responsibilities of institutions, quality assurance arrangements, a table with
the level descriptors, a glossary, and a list of acts, decrees and regulations
used to develop qualifications framework. It builds on the Law of Education
(2009), as well as on principles derived from the QF-EHEA and the EQF.
The Azerbaijan Qualification Framework (AzOF)
has eight levels, whereas level 1 is the lowest and level 8 is the highest.
AzOF imparts qualifications starting from primary education to doctoral
studies.
Level 1 covers outcomes of basic education,
level 2 outcomes of lower secondary, etc. Level eight covers outcomes of PhD
and Doctor of Sciences Degrees in line with international practice. VET
qualifications cover Level 3 and level 4 (initial VET) and level 5 (higher
VET). All qualifications from level 3-7 with a labour market orientation will
be based on occupational standards. Occupational standards will be adapted to
NQF levels. NQF level descriptors have three domains: Knowledge and
Understanding, Skills, Autonomy and Responsibility. Key competences are
integrated.
The AzQF level descriptors are compatible with
the corresponding EQF level descriptors.