A. Recognition is the formal acknowledgement by a competent authority of the appropriateness of a foreign qualification to access education and/or employment in the receiving country. Generally, the recognition process requires that tertiary education and training institutions be recognized and accredited within the country of origin.

A. A determination by a competent authority that a particular programme or course has attained a comparable recognized standard. The purposes of determining equivalencies include facilitating (1) articulation arrangements between institutions and other issues related to the transfer of students to other educational institutions and (2) entry of graduates of the programmes into the workplace.

Accreditation is a process in which a programme of study or institution is assessed for its standard and given official recognition. At the programme level, accreditation is concerned with the quality of a specific course or programme of study, while institutional accreditation is concerned with the evaluation of an entire institution.The accreditation process is intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of educational provisions, making it worthy of public confidence.

A. Students

Highlights the capabilities/competencies of the institution;
Assures recognition of qualifications and transferability locally, regionally and internationally;
Improves education/training and learning achievement as the quality of the institution’s provision is assured;
Provides assurance that an individual is getting value for money for time spent on a programme of study;
Facilitates the transfer of learner credits from one institution to another;
Provides recognition for entry into higher education, profession and business.

Institutions

Provides national, regional and international recognition of quality, accountability, and public trust;
Verifies the quality of the educational provision to potential students, businesses and governments;
Facilitates access to support and services designed to continually improve the quality of education and training;
Lends prestige to the institution;
Highlights strengths and capabilities of the institution;
Aids with student recruitment efforts; and
Provides credibility by enhancing the image of the institution.

Employers

Assures the quality of human capital;
Assures the quality of qualifications and credentials presented;
Increases productivity and performance which may lead to increased profitability; and
Provides benchmarks against which educational provision can be measured against employment requirements.

Nation

Assures a highly skilled workforce, which should enhance international competitiveness;
Increases the global competitiveness of local institutions;
Provides assurance to taxpayers of the quality of educational provision; and
Assures government of positive returns on investment in the educational sector.
 

A. A Diploma Mill sells qualifications with very little or no quality assurance. Diplomas issued by a Diploma Mill are granted without ensuring that the students are properly qualified.

A. This is accreditation with low educational standards and without recognition from government and other competent authorities. Accreditation mills give the public the impression that the institution has met the required standards.
For more information on fraudulent accrediting agencies, institutions and diploma mills. For further information see www.osac.state. or.usloda/unaccredited.html (Also see the Barbados Accreditation Council pamphlet on Websites that provide Information on Accredited and Non-accredited Institutions)

A. The best safeguard against fraudulent providers is to check with the Barbados Accreditation Council to ensure that the institution and programmes of study are either recognised or accredited by an authorised accreditation agency or body. You must make sure that a recognised accrediting body accredits the institution, which is the highest mark of accreditation quality. If the profession you are studying requires a licence for admission to practise, then you must also check the accreditation of the programme.