Government decides to establish single register for recognition of higher education acquired at foreign higher educational institutions

The caretaker government on May 11 decided that a single Register for Academic Recognition of Higher Education should be established,

Currently, the National Centre for Information and Documentation (NCID) maintains three registers: of academic recognition certificates issued; of academic recognition certificates withdrawn; of academic recognition refusals. Their purpose is to provide information on procedures for the recognition of higher education acquired in foreign higher educational institutions.

Checking one person in each of these registers creates an unnecessary administrative burden as well as a risk of omissions. The establishment of a single register complements and amends existing provisions by removing some inconsistencies with the e-governance legislation.

Some of the data will be public, but access to higher education recognition certificates will be individual. It is envisaged that this will also be available to specific public authorities or other persons who, by virtue of a legal act, may require the provision of certificates related to academic recognition.

The changes will facilitate the access of Bulgarian citizens, foreign nationals and foreigners granted international protection. The new provisions will also be of benefit to state authorities, potential employers and higher education institutions, which have the right to obtain reliable information on the compliance of a foreign diploma with the requirements of the Bulgarian legislation.

The establishment of a single Register will have a beneficial impact on the preparation of future participants in the labour market, with proven qualifications from higher educational institutions abroad.