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Achieve leadership in higher education and scientific research, and promote the graduation of highly qualified and globally competitive staff through distinctive educational environment. 2
Table of Content * Department *Services provided by CED First: Section - Application -Application Status -Reconsideration Application -Application for another copy of the Equalized Second: Attestation Section -Attestation Application -Verification of Credit Hours Transferred in Transcript of Records Third: Support Services -Lists of recommended universities abroad -Application for listing an education institution in MOHESR recommended universities. -Inquiry about Institute / Study Program The information mentioned herein may be amended. So, kindly visit the Ministry s website www.mohesr.gov.ae for updated information. 3
Strategic Objective: The CED follows up the developments in the higher education field in order to fulfill the objectives set in its strategy and to cope with academic movement since the UAE welcomes experts in different fields, from different countries. The CED s strategic objective is the constant development of the certificate equivalency system, according to the academic developments, adjusting it to the MOHESR s strategic plan that aims to improve and develop services provided to citizens, with focus on delivering high quality service with a speedy performance. 4
About CED: The CED is the entity authorized to deal with the educational qualifications issued in different countries around the world. It is considered the gateway for all educational qualifications to the UAE. It is also concerned with promoting community awareness about the importance of joining educational institutions of high academic level and choosing courses that are compatible with the conditions and criteria of certificate equivalency. For this purpose, the CED provides a number of communication channels to receive inquiries in this regard and also holds an annual meeting to which scholarship authorities are invited to inform them about the mechanism and conditions of the certificate equivalency system and answer their questions about approved educational systems. The CED s duties include attestation of documents issued by approved private higher education institutions within the UAE and reply to the inquiries of such institutions about the validity of student educational records forwarded from different educational institutions inside and outside the UAE. The CED consists of: * Section (CES) (which is concerned with qualifications issued by higher education institutions abroad) * Attestation Section (CEA) (which is concerned with qualifications and documents issued by approved private higher education institutions inside the UAE) 5
Functional Duties: The CED assumes the following duties and functions: *Equalizing certificates issued by the higher education institutions abroad. *Attesting qualifications and documents issued by approved private higher education institutions in the UAE. *Preparing and updating the guide of the approved higher education institutions abroad. Providing guidance to students wanting to study abroad. *Providing different authorities with lists of approved higher education institutions inside and outside the UAE. *Verifying the authenticity of documents and informing the governmental employment authorities about the names of those whose educational qualifications are not valid. *Verifying the credit hour records of students who are studying abroad and want to complete their education in the higher education institutions in the UAE. *Replying to the inquiries forwarded from individuals and institutions inside and outside the UAE about approved universities and the possibility of equalizing some education qualifications issued by institutions abroad or by private higher education institutions in the UAE. *Preparing the comprehensive monthly and annual statistics, issuing an annual report about such statistics and providing different entities with the required statistics. *Communicating with embassies of the UAE and other countries accredited by the UAE in order to get the most recent information about higher education in such countries or verify the validity of educational records of the students receiving their education in higher education institutions at such countries. *Joining the relevant organizations and committees at the international (UNESCO), Arab (Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization), Islamic (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural 6
Organization), and regional (GCC Committee of Chairman of Committees of GCC Countries, the Technical Committee of Directors of Departments of GCC Countries) levels. Services Provided by CED: First: Section The CES relies on the certificate equivalency system that represents the general frame for such rules and instructions adopted to deal with and verify different certificates issued by higher education institutions abroad. This system was developed by the Committee (CEC) and approved by HH Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, having undergone development phases, the last of which was approved at the beginning of 2013. - Principles: The certificate equivalency rule states that each academic certificate granted by a recognized educational institution after regular theoretical, practical or vocational study period, for no less than one year after high school certificate or equivalent, shall be equalized. To that end, the CES, having received the duly attested documents for equalization, will take the following steps: Verification: -That the qualification issuer is approved at home and that it meets the certification conditions set by the MOHESR; -That the certificate is correct and the document holder is the relevant party. -That the study approach and venue are in compliance with the certificate equivalency system. -Evaluation; i.e. verifying whether the qualification satisfies the local academic standards. In this regard, the CES investigates the different academic systems of different 7
countries and matches these systems with local systems and national qualification frame, in accordance with the generally recognized academic standards. -Equivalence; i.e. assessment based on the actual value of qualification to be equalized. Committee The CEC is an academic, advisory and technical committee formed by a decree of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. It evaluates university and higher certificates issued from outside the UAE. With a selection of academic experts in all majors, the CEC convenes periodically or whenever necessary. The CEC mandate: The CEC duties are summarized as follows: Reviewing certificates granted by higher education institutions outside the UAE and equalizing them with similar certificates as per the generally accepted academic standards approved by the MOHESR. Examining the systems internationally applicable to certificate equivalency for utilization. Preparing and updating lists of approved higher education institutions and equalizing the certificates they issue. Preparing and continuously developing standards and conditions for equalizing certificate granted by higher education institutions abroad. Any other duties assigned by the Minister to the CEC within its scope of work. 8
Qualifications outside the CEC s mandate: The CEC will not consider: Professional certificates that are given without study or after attending training courses. Educational documents and records if they were a part of study to acquire an academic degree. Cases that are found to have a clear violation of internationally accepted academic regulations. Programs that are restricted to specific categories of students such as those designed for foreign students. Any other cases to which the criteria and conditions governing the work of this CEC are not applicable. Conditions To equalize academic certificates, the applicant must: -Have completed a period of no less than one academic year in a specific major after the high school or its equivalent to obtain an academic certificate. -Have completed a period of no less than two academic years in a specific major after the high school or its equivalent to obtain the intermediate diploma degree. -Have completed a period of no less than three academic years in a specific major after the high school or its equivalent to obtain the higher diploma degree. -Have completed a period of no less than three academic years in one of educational institutions that follow the year system or 9
completed as much as 120 credit hours as per the semester system, 180 hours as per the three-month system, 240 units as per the European system to acquire the first university degree. -Have completed a period of no less than one academic year after obtaining the first university degree to receive the postgraduate diploma or the master s degree. -Have completed a period of no less than four academic years after the high school to receive the master s degree in cases where the bachelor and master s degrees are integrated, after meeting the requirements of both degrees. -Have completed a period of no less than two academic years after obtaining the master s degree to receive the PhD provided that the university s regulation prescribes such period, or a period of no less than three academic years after obtaining the bachelor degree to receive the PhD in cases where the master s degree is not a condition to receive the PhD. -Have attended at the place of the study during the whole period of the courses, in the educational programs that completely or partially depend on courses. -Have been present at the place of the educational institution granting the academic degree for a period of no less than one-third of the period specified to obtain the degree, in postgraduate programs that completely or partially depend on research-system study.the CEC may in certain cases waive the period condition for considerations related to the nature of research and place of its implementation or any other considerations as the CEC may deem fit, as per the executive regulations approved by the CEC. -Fulfill the requirements laid down by the CEC for equalizing attested certificates that are obtained through unusual methods of study. 10
request steps: -A customer shall fill the application on the website of the MOHESR and attend at customer service center during normal working days to submit the original attested copies of the documents required. The relevant customer shall be given a receipt. The request shall be referred to the competent officer in the CES to check all information and documents. The officer shall collect information about the qualification and correspond with the competent authorities in the country issuing the certificate (cultural bureaus, embassies) including inquiry about the authenticity of the qualification as well as the system and place of study. This procedure depends on how fast the contacted bodies respond. Correspondence is excluded in case of: *Students delegated at the expense of MOHESR or government bodies inside the UAE after providing the original delegation letter that shows the certificate title, name of the university, target country, date of commencement and end of the delegation and the system of study. In some cases, correspondence may be exchanged on qualifications of the delegated students at the request of the CEC and as may be necessary *A customer bringing a letter from the embassy of the country issuing the qualification, proving the validity of the certificate with the reply of the concerned bodies in the target country attached. In some cases, correspondence may be exchanged on qualifications where the information mentioned in the letter is insufficient at the request of the CEC and as may be necessary. -The competent officer shall ensure that the applicant has completed the legally prescribed period of formal study required in the country issuing the qualification. The relevant applicant shall fill in a table with the seals of entrance into and exit from that country as per the original passport 11
used during that period or as per a statement of entrance and exit issued by the Department of Naturalization and Residency or any other relevant official documents -After ensuring that the qualification meets the equivalency requirements, the intermediate diploma and bachelor s certificates shall be equalized, as in the above cases, if any. The CCE shall consider the following qualifications: *Intermediate diploma and bachelor s degree of which no similar cases have been reported to the CES. *Higher qualifications (higher diploma, MD, PhD) that meet all equivalency requirements. -The CEC shall make decisions whether to equalize or decline to equalize the qualification. The processes that have been finished shall be checked and then the applicants concerned are informed through a variety of means of communications (Telephone, SMS, e-mail). -Completed transactions are delivered through the delivery service, (Empost), except if the applicant requests to receive the transaction personally at the Ministry headquarters Application Fees: The fees shall be paid in e-dirham cards (Visa- MasterCard) or e-dirham - G2 as follows: Degree Intermediate Diploma and Bachelor Postgraduate Diploma and Master PhD Fees AED 100 AED 150 AED 200 The fees can be paid while completing the e-application at the MOHESR website or upon submitting the application at customer service center. 12
Illustration of steps functioning demand 1 2 3 إيصال رقم: ٣٥٦٨٠١ Fill equation certificate application electronically through the ministry`s website. Visit the customer service center in the ministry to provide the required documents certified. Obtain a receipt Send the results to the Accreditation Committee 6 5 The employee checks and collect information and correspondence competent authorities to inquire For qualification 4 referred the request to the competent employee Dependence or apologize for a specific reason 7 8 Inform the applicant by: email sms Phone Send the transaction completed by However, in the case of the client s request that it receives from the Office of the Ministry personally 9 13
*Times for Submission Applications shall be submitted at customer service center, after filling in the e-application for certificate equivalency. Applications shall be delivered to customer service center throughout official working days (Sunday-Thursday) from 07:30 a.m. to 02:30 p.m. *Times for Delivery of Completed Transactions: Completed transactions shall be delivered through delivery service (Empost), except if the applicant requests to receive the transaction personally at the Ministry headquarters in the official working days (Sunday-Thursday) from 07:30 a.m. to 02:30 p.m. The transaction may be delivered to a person authorized by the qualification holder provided that the application receipt and authorization from the relevant applicant showing no objection to delivery are attached. *Required documents Having submitted the equivalency application at through the ministry`s website the following documents shall be attached: First: General Documents for Application: 1.The original qualification to be equalized (wall certificate) duly attested (attested by the ministry of foreign affairs at the country issuing the qualification and the UAE embassy there or the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs), a copy thereof or the original graduation certificate showing that the applicant has met the requirements and obtained the degree. 2.The original transcript of records for the qualification to be equalized (attested by the ministry of foreign affairs at the country issuing the qualification and the UAE embassy there or the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and a copy thereof. 3.The original equivalency should be attached along with a copy of it by the competent 14
authorities in the country where the qualification is granted if this country s system so requires (in case of a private university) 4.Legal translation of the certificate if issued in any language other than Arabic or English. 5.The original passport and a proof of residence (entry and exit seals for the country where the applicant studied), a copy of the standardized number of the passport, a copy of the ID card (for citizens), a copy of first entry to the country with the standardized number and a copy of the ID card (for non-citizens). 6.The original delegation letter for delegated students, showing the certificate title, the name of the university, the target country, the date of commencement and end of delegation and the system of study. 7.The original letter of the embassy of the country issuing the qualification with the academic institutions reply indicating:(the authenticity of the qualification, the applicable study approach and whether the qualification issuer is certified). This will not be applicable to: the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya and Iran as the CES should exchange correspondence with the relevant authorities in these countries to get the required information. 8. A transcript record of transferred hours for each institution independently (where applicable) and a copy thereof, attaching the original letter of the embassy of the country issuing this transcript record with the academic institutions reply indicating: the authenticity of the course, the applicable study approach and whether the transcript issuer is certified. This will not be applicable to: the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya and Iran as the CES should exchange correspondence with the relevant authorities in these countries to get the required information. * *Note: Having submitted the equivalency application at the MOHESR customer service center, the applicant should refer to the Ministry of Foreign 15
Affairs (Marina Mall Office) to pay the fees of certificate verification in such cases when the CES corresponds with the embassies and diplomatic representative entities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The CEC may request the applicant to provide other documents as it may deem necessary for evaluation of the qualification. Second: Documents of intermediate diploma/bachelor equivalency application High school certificate or equivalent provided that: 1.The non-arab high school certificate is equalized by the UAE Ministry of Education 2.The high school certificate issued by private schools inside the UAE is equalized or attested by the relevant districts. the high school certificate or equivalent will be exempted, unless necessary, of this condition when applying for equivalency. Third: Documents of postgraduate diploma/ master/phd equivalency 1.Duly certified original certificates preceding the qualification to be equalized and copies of them. 2.Duly certified original transcripts of records for the preceding certificates and copies of such transcripts. 3.Applying for equivalency of the certificate preceding the qualification to be equalized- if not previously equalized by the MOHESR. 4.A copy of preceding equivalency obtained from the MOHESR 5. A copy of the abstract of postgraduate thesis. *Note: Holders of academic qualifications granted 20 years before the submission of 16
*Application Status The CED provides customers with an online service through which a customer can follow up with the equivalency application progress as the customer can know the application status by inserting the number of equivalency application on the e-service at the ministry`s website. *Reconsideration Application The relevant applicant can submit an application for reconsideration of the CEC decision within six months from the date of notification if the applicant has new information that has not been reported before to the CEC. Then, the CEC decision will be irrevocable. A reconsideration application can be submitted by filling in the form available on the ministry`s website and sending it after completion to: Fax: 026427701 E-mail:equalization@mohesr.gov.ae *Application for another copy of the Equalized : A customer can refer to the CED and pay the fees to obtain another copy of an equalized certificate. The same fees of equivalency (according to the type of qualification) shall apply. Second: Attestation Section *Attestation Application *Application Process: A customer will complete application for attesting the documents through the ministry`s website, and then refer to the MOHESR customer service center within the official working days to submit all the required documents. A customer will get an acknowledgment of receipt. To make it easier for customers, attestation applications can be submitted by referring to Empost offices across the UAE. 17
The application will be referred to the competent officer who will check all documents and data therein The submitted documents will be attested and approved by the competent officer The approved documents will be delivered to the customers in the customer service center or by (Empost) delivery service. *Application Fees Fees will be paid by electronic payment cards (Visa- MasterCard) or e-dirham cards- G2. The attestation fees are AED 50 for each certificate or document. Fees can be paid while completing the online application at the MOHESR website or upon submittal of the application at the customer service center. *Times for Submission Applications shall be submitted at customer service center, after filling in the online attestation application. Applications shall be delivered to customer service center throughout official working days (Sunday-Thursday) from 07:30 a.m. to 02:30 p.m. or through Empost offices across the UAE. *Required Documents First: Requirements for attestation of documents and qualifications for graduates: *An intermediate diploma/bachelor graduate: Original certificate Original transcript of records Preceding certificate (high school certificate) as follows: 1.High school certificate issued outside the UAE: A.If the certificate is granted by an Arab country, the applicant shall bring the original certificate attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy of the country issuing the certificate. B.If the certificate is granted by a foreign country, the high school certificate shall be equalized by the Ministry of Education. 18
2.High school certificate issued inside the UAE: A.Governmental or private schools following the curriculum of the Ministry of Education, the original higher school certificate or a facsimile shall be brought. B.Private schools: -The higher school certificate should be equalized by the Ministry of Education. -Adopting British or American curriculum, a statement showing the sequence of study in different academic years with subjects and marks obtained by the student should be brought and attested by the Ministry of Education or the District to which the school is affiliated. A graduate holding master: Original certificate. Original transcript of records. Copy of the ID card. Bachelor certificate as follows: If the certificate is issued outside the state: the certificate (intermediate diploma/bachelor) should be equalized by the MOHESR- CED. If the certificate is issued inside the UAE: The original or a facsimile of the certificate shall be brought if issued by governmental institutions. The applicant should ensure that the preceding certificate has been or will be attested, if not previously attested by the MOHESR if issued by private institutions inside the UAE. Second: Attestation requirements for documents of ongoing students The documents to be attested should be issued by a licensed educational institution and its academic programs approved by the MOHESR. The documents to be attested should contain student university number and specialization. The documents to be attested should be sealed and signed as approved by the issuing institution; no copies will be accepted. 19
Third: Attestation requirements for document faculty members and the administrative board of institutions: The document to be attested should be original, not a copy, having an approved signature and seal of the institution. Document to be attested should be issued by a MOHESR-approved educational institution. Fourth: Attestation requirements for facsimiles: To attest a facsimile copy, it shall be sealed as facsimile with approved signature and seal from the institution and the original shall be shown. Verification of Credit Hours Transferred in Transcript of Records: The CAS replies to the inquiries of the higher education institutions inside the UAE on the transcript of records containing the courses transferred from institutions inside or outside the UAE. To that end, the CAS shall ensure that: If the hours transferred in the transcript are studied in a private higher education institution inside the UAE, the transcript is attested by the MOHESR- CAS. If the hours transferred in the transcript are studied in a higher education institution outside the UAE, they should be verified through one of the following ways: The educational institution to which the student is transferred shall correspond with the MOHESR directly in this regards: The student shall bring a letter of the embassy of the transcript issuing country with the educational institution reply attached showing the authenticity of this transcript; or The educational institution to which the student is transferred shall correspond with the university from which the student was transferred directly to ensure the authenticity of the transcript with the reply attached in this regard. 20
Third: Support Services Lists of Recommended Universities Abroad: The MOHESR has prepared lists of recommended higher education institutions abroad to guide students to the institutions with quality academic level and avoid low-level or lenient institutions. Such institutions are assessed in accordance with a number of standards developed by the CEC. These standards include: The institution and its academic programs are approved by competent authorities in the country of study. The certificates issued by the institution are equalized by competent authorities in the country of study. The institution has a campus. The institution is not a broker to issue certificates. The admission policy is compliant with the academically recognized admission policies. Teaching in the institution is based on the traditional ways. Teaching is in official language of the country or an international language Institution s specialties are comprehensive. The university does not have duality in the admission system for students, reducing the criteria for foreign students and conceding many academic components and admission requirements. The university is ranked in (The World University Rankings) In case of private university, the CEC may require more information that helps develop a clear image of the university including student numbers, rate of PhD holders among faculty members and whether the university is recognized by the equivalency authorities at the GCC countries. 21
Application for listing an education institution in MOHESR recommended universities Background This service aims to receive applications from educational institution outside the UAE to be listed as MOHESR- recommended university for studying abroad. This service is governed by criteria based on which the CEC decision is made whether to list the institutions as MOHESR- recommended university or no. Application Process The inquiry authority will officially contact the CED (via e-mail, fax or by sending a representative), providing all the required documents. The competent officer will check the application and all attachments and will collect information about the educational institution including Internet search, correspondence with competent authorities at the country where the institution exist and search in the CED archive for any information on the university and the qualification granted by it. After completing all information of the university, a comprehensive report will be prepared fulfilling all the standards applicable by the MOHESR The report will be referred to the CEC for evaluation and decision. The CEC will determine whether or not to approve the institution listing as a recommended university. If approved, the university will be listed within the list of its country, which will be updated on the website. The official response to inquiry authority will be prepared and sent via e-mail or fax. 22
Required Documents The following documents must be attached when submitting the request: General recognition of the institution from the approval authorities in its country. Recognition of the academic programs offered by the university from the academic approval. authorities in its country. to academic programs offered by the university. Leaflets and manuals of the studies offered by the university. Study regulations (terms and conditions). Any other documents. 23
Inquiry about Institute / Study Program Background As the CED is keen to answer the customers questions on the recommended educational institutions and programs approved by the MOHESR and for the purpose of protecting the students who are planning to join university studies abroad and ensuring equalization their qualification to ensure that their effort are not wasted, the MOHESR made this service which allows a student to obtain an official document from the MOHESR that the educational institution and program subject of inquiry is approved subject to fulfillment of the equivalency system conditions. Application Process A customer shall fill in the Request Form about Institute/Study Program at the MOHESR website and shall attach the required documents. Having received the request, the competent officer shall collect the needed information about the institute/study program to be joined. This procedure will include Internet search, search in the CED for similar cases and correspondence with competent authorities at the country where the institution exist. Having completed the information related to the Request, a statement of intermediate diploma/ bachelor programs that fulfill the conditions of the certificate equivalency system, except for the cases that should be referred to the CEC. The Request Forms about postgraduate programs should be transferred to the CEC for evaluation of such programs and make suitable decision. There are two types of statement issued to the applicant: 1.Approved: The statement will contain certain conditions with which a student should comply during study to ensure the equivalency of the qualification in the future. This approval is valid for one year from the date of issuance. 24
2.Rejected: The reply should contain the reason for rejection of study in such program/institute. A softcopy of the statement will be sent to the customer e-mail and the customer will be notified when the request is finished by SMS. The customer can visit the CED to receive the original statement. Required Documents The following documents will be attached: 1.A copy of the preceding university qualification (with attestation seal or a copy of the equivalency issued by the MOHESR) 2.Letter of initial acceptance obtained by the applicant for the course to be taken. 3.Information about the study program (documents from the institute such as syllabus or program manual) General conditions to be observed for students willing to study abroad: To ensure equivalency of the qualification granted abroad, the following conditions should be observed: A high school certificate or equivalent should be obtained to join initial degree in intermediate diploma/ university The competent authority in the target country recognizes the institution, the major and the certificate to be equalized. If the certificate is granted by an institution branch, the parent institution should be approved in the home country and the branch is approved in the home country and the country where the student will take the course. Qualifications issued by the private higher education institutions are approved and equalized by the competent authorities in the country of study before submitting them for equivalency according to the system applicable in the country of study. The study plans and evaluation systems under which the qualification is granted are compliant with the internationally recognized standards. The period of study needed to obtain degree in each major should conform to the academically 25
acceptable and recognized minimum period approved by the MOHESR. The educational institution granting the certificate is bound to the study system and enrollment conditions with no conflict with the terms and criteria approved by the MOHESR. The student commits to regular attendance in the institution campus at the country of study and should prove it by passports and official documents. The MOHESR does not approve the academic programs designed for foreign students only even if in a recommended institution. The student should not join institutions ineligible or unlicensed, according to the law applicable in its country, to issue graduate certificates. Teaching should be in the country s language or any international language. MOHESR approval should be obtained prior to enrollment by submitting the Inquiry about Institute/ Study Program (Absence of this approval releases the MOHESR fro responsibility for qualification equivalency). The equivalency system conditions should be observed as set out on the MOHER website. 26
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To contact CED please contact: * Call Center Tel: * CES: Fax: E-mail: * CAS: Fax: E-mail: 026428000 026427701 equalization@mohesr.gov.ae 02 6427120 attestation@mohesr.gov.ae 28