What’s Inside

From the Desk of the Executive Director 2The Importance of Recognition 3BAC News 4Upcoming Event - CANQATE Conference 2009 5Poetry Stop and Registered Institutions 6Photo Gallery 7 Around the Region 8

A publication of the Barbados Accreditation Council, #123 A& B, “Plaza Centrale”, Roebuck Street, St. Michael BB11080, BARBADOS Tel: (246) 436-9094 Fax: (246) 429-9233 Email: info@bac.gov.bb Website: http://www.bac.gov.bb

In this technological age, it has become easier for persons to have access to qualifications which may not be authentic.

December 2008, Vol. 2, No.2Barbados Accreditation Council Newsletter

“A coherent system of post-secondary or tertiary education and training which assures excellence and integrity to all its stakeholders.”

Chairperson’s WordThe threat of fraud

Ms. Yvonne Walkes, Chairperson

Article continues on page 4

Fraudulent qualifications have become a global phenomenon. In this technological age, it has become easier for persons to have access to qualifications which may not be authentic. Therefore, it is important that persons are aware of ways of detecting

unaccredited, unrecognized, sub-standard and fraudulent qualifications. This article will focus on fraudulent qualifications and the impact that they may have on a knowledge-based society, like Barbados.

Fraudulent qualifications come in different guises: from qualifications awarded by diploma or degree mills; to bona fide qualifications issued by authentic institutions but altered by the awardee or an accomplice; and/or where an individual creates a qualification.

Diploma or degree mills blatantly sell qualifications to applicants. They provide degrees or other qualifications in a short period of time, sometimes in as little as seven days. Diploma/Degree mills may be recognized by the following characteristics: (a) the submission of assignments may be required, but their preparation will involve little or no academic rigour; and (b) they purport to use an applicant’s life experiences as the criteria for the issuance of the qualifications. Although,

life or prior experience may be used by recognised institutions for admission to programmes, students must provide portfolios or other documentation outlining how their prior experience is relevant to the particular programme. Legitimate institutions seldom accept prior knowledge or life experience as the only credit towards a programme.

Another method that is used is where bona fide qualifications awarded by a recognised institution or

awarding body are altered. This type of fraud is easily achieved, for instance, Selwyn may have attended the Real Deal University and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with Lower Second Class Honours. Selwyn may be seeking greater prestige and status and alters the qualification to read ‘Upper Second Class Honours”. As with the credentials awarded by the Diploma

or degree mills, an altered qualification erodes the trust

Ms. Valda Alleyne

From the Desk ofThe Executive Director

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MAKING STRIDES AND CHANGES!

Over the past year, a new Board of Directors was appointed from February 18, 2008 for a two year period. Given the increasing demand for its services and the need for improved comfort and security

for its staff and Board of Directors, the Council moved to larger headquarters, effective November 1, 2008.

The Barbados Accreditation Council has continued to encourage the registration and re-registration of post-secondary or tertiary institutions and training providers, through technical support and promotional activities such as registration workshops, site visits and information sessions. As a consequence, thirty-three (33) institutions or training providers were recognized as legally operating in Barbados at the end of December.

Additional policies, procedures and fees which have been approved include Short Course Accreditation and Programme Approval. The public’s interest in the recognition of programmes, institutions of study and qualifications, particularly foreign-based has shown steady growth. To facilitate the recognition process, the Council has issued Guidelines for the Recognition of Institutions and Programmes, and; Equivalency of Qualifications.

The promotion of accreditation commenced with three (3) consultative sessions aimed at gathering feedback from tertiary institutions/training providers and professional bodies on the Council’s draft programme, institution and short course accreditation standards.

In preparation for the accreditation of institutions and programmes of study, the Council hosted a six-day workshop to train its staff and other regional counterpart agencies in conducting the peer evaluation for institutions (including the self-study process) and a four-day workshop targeted at tertiary institutions/providers in preparing the self evaluation and for hosting the peer

evaluation, amongst other objectives. The facilitators were Drs. Karen Solomon and Suzanna Darby of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, United States of America.

In its thrust to share training opportunities in the region, particularly to newly established and emerging national accreditation bodies, the Council also extended invitations to its regional counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Guyana.

The Council looks forward to hosting the 6th Annual CANQATE Conference in October, 2009 and planning has already commenced on this major activity. We look forward to continued good relations with quality assurance agencies, post-secondary or tertiary institutions and training providers, and professional bodies regionally and internationally and other stakeholders.

If you really care...

Then make sure your students are aware...

Of fraudulent qualifications out there!

Call the Barbados Accreditation Council for Career Showcases or to make a presentation

at your school

Contact the Information Officer at 436-7636 or via email at km-ifill@bac.gov.bb

Log on to our website at http://www.bac.gov.bb

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What is recognition? Recognition refers to “a formal acknowledgement by a competent authority of the value of an educational qualification with a view to access to educational and/or employment activities.”1

One of the major challenges to persons wanting to work or study in other countries is that their qualifications may not be accepted. To facilitate the acceptance of qualifications and mobility of persons, the Council offers a “recognition” service aimed at facilitating the transfer and recognition of qualifications held by individuals for educational, employment and/or professional purposes.

BENEFITS OF RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS

Individuals• provides the opportunities for beneficiaries of the

recognition of qualification service (also referred to as equivalency) to access employment and further study within Barbados

• facilitates educational and employment mobility• facilitates better returns for skills (higher wages)

Employers• reduces search costs for skilled people • facilitates the establishment of a database of recognized

qualifications and related equivalencies• facilitates decision-making on wages, salaries and

promotion• enables acquisition of best skilled people

Institutions/Providers• facilitates the establishment of a database of recognised

qualifications and related equivalencies• provides assurance of the quality of the provision of

tertiary education and training• facilitates the admission of prospective students• facilitates inter-institutional co-operation (e.g. transfer

of credits)• facilitates internationalisation of post-secondary or

tertiary institutions

1 Adapted from the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Union, Lisbon 11.IV.1997

Government/National• facilitates immigration policies• allows inclusion of new skills and international

experiences into the labour market • facilitates improved efficiency and productivity

of the labour force• supports regional labour market integration

efforts• provides the opportunity to address skills

shortages• facilitates the development of a National

Qualifications Framework (NQF)

The Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) affords CARICOM citizens the right to move freely between CARICOM member countries. However, the number and diversity of the qualifications presented by individuals seeking to obtain the Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification can present challenges to the effectiveness of the programme, particularly as it relates to immediately ascertaining whether or not persons meet the established criteria for the programme.

The recognition of qualification service offered by the Barbados Accreditation Council becomes even more important with the CSME. The recognition of qualifications is crucial for the freedom of persons to move across borders within CARICOM.

Whether you are a prospective student, employer, institution/provider, or other interested user of the recognition of qualification service, call or email the Council, or visit our website to get more information on how we can help you.

The Importance of Recognitionby Sharon Alleyne, Accreditation Officer

BEWARE!!!Under “Offence and Penalties” of the Caribbean Community (Movement of Skilled Nationals) Act, 2004, Section 11 (3) states: A Community national who commits an offence under this Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term of 3 years or to both.

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Preparing for Accreditation Workshops

The Barbados Accreditation Council hosted over 40 participants from various local post-secondary or tertiary institutions and training providers, and quality assurance agencies from the region at two (2) “Preparing for Accreditation” workshops at the Grand Barbados Beach Resort held during October.

The workshops, which were facilitated by Higher Learning Council (HLC), involved dynamic discussion and sharing of ideas. The enthusiastic participants received enlightening information about the process of accreditation and the benefits of attainment of such status. They were involved in group discussions and exchanged valuable thoughts about their institutions, and devised the way toward each being awarded accreditation status.

These workshops were the second in the series of workshops aimed at educating, supporting and facilitating institutions and training providers desirous of being accredited by the Council.

BAC News

(Chairperson’s Word continued from page 1)

and value that we place in our educational systems and our society as a whole.

Again, persons may become so desperate that they use the technologies to produce their own qualifications, which they may identify as being issued from a genuine institution or awarding body. For instance, it is possible to employ a person who has produced a medical degree from a genuine university which allows him/her to practise medicine. Can you imagine the harm that may be caused if this credential was left unchecked?

The Barbados Accreditation Council is mandated by its Act to verify qualifications in Barbados. Additionally, the Council is a member of regional and international databases and affiliated with quality assurance agencies worldwide. The Council not only uses the expertise of its competent staff, it also liaises with regional and international bodies to verify the authenticity of awarding institutions/bodies. When an applicant applies to the Council, the awarding institution/body is contacted to verify the details supplied by the applicant to ascertain the status of the qualification. This invaluable service is available to persons of all walks of life, including employers, professional bodies, potential students and institutions.

The Council, therefore, has a major role to perform as the guardian of quality post-secondary/tertiary education and training in Barbados. With this mandate at its core, the Council will continue to address the various issues affecting the post-secondary/tertiary education and training sector. The Council will continue to maintain and enhance the quality of post-secondary/tertiary education and training in Barbados, a standard for which the island is well renowned.

“ The more we love our work, the keener we do it well.”

Amy Carmichael

Some of representatives from various post-secondary or tertiary institutions and training providers actively involved in discussion

Upcoming Event

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“To be a high quality provider � registration, accreditation and related services in post-secondary or tertiary education

and training in Barbados and b�ond.”

Ho

sted by the Government of Barbados

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“A coherent system of post-secondary or tertiary education and training which assures excellence and integrity to all its stakeholders.”

“To be a high quality provider of registration, accreditation and related services in post-secondary or tertiary education and training in Barbados and beyond.”

Vision

Mission

List of Education and Training Providers Recognised by the Barbados Accreditation Council as at December 31, 2008

1. Advantage Caribbean Institute Ltd.2. Applied Performance Solutions Inc. 3. Barbados Association of Office Professionals4. Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity

(BIMAP)5. Barbados O’Level Institute6. Caribbean Management Education Centre Inc (CariMEC)7. Caribbean School of Business and Management8. Cave Hill School of Business9. Chenaniah Institute10. College of International Radio Broadcasting11. Computer Knowledge Centre12. Dermatological Institute of Barbados13. Faith Business and Entrepreneurial Academy14. Howes Inc.15. Insurance Institute of Barbados16. Interchange Language Institute17. International Airline Academy18. Je Ju’s Beauty Salon and School of Cosmetology19. Marcus Garvey Resource and Development Centre20. Medical Transcription Training Centre21. Mel’s Exotic Nails School and Salon Inc.22. Nikita’s Beauty Salon and School of Cosmetology23. Peacehaven Holistic Therapy School24. Personal Body Health Care Clinic & School of Holistic

Therapies25. Profiles School of Beauty and Salon26. Quality Control & Computer Services27. REA Envirohealth International28. Sab-Shan-Sadie School of Beauty and Salon29. Semaj International School of Cosmetology & Trichology30. The School of Gastronomy31. Trinity Business Solutions32. University of the Southern Caribbean33. Youth With A Mission

ANNOUNCING!

God, help me learnrather than earnmy daily bread

You gave me a good brainit’s really yoursjesus bought all of meeven the crazy parts

i like learninglearning tastes good

give me that curious foodlearn what really mattersmy brainy needsenjoy the planted mental seeds

Poetry Stopby Harlan Simantel

INQAAHE Conference 2009

This year’s International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) is hosted by the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Ministry of Higher Education in the United Arab Emirates. Conference Location: ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Dates: MARCH 30 to APRIL 2, 2009

Conference Theme: NEW APPROACHES TO QUALITY ASSURANCE IN THE CHANGING WORLD OF HIGHER EDUCATION

For more information log on to:http://www.caa.ae/conference/

If you are a Training Provider or Institution offering post-secondary or tertiary education and training in Barbados and have not yet registered with the Council ,you are asked to note that you are required by law to register.

Re-registration is now due for the year 2009

pass the treasures onother minds to feed

learning is funinspired by your intelligent Sonexperiences toodiscussion with other open, hungry minds

God, grow us good! a hungry learning attitude

use what we learnto better our worldlike a blossom into a flowermagnificently unfurled

Education

Photo Gallery

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Registration VisitUWI, Cave Hill & Open Campuses

Surinamese Students’ Visit to the Council

The five students and Ms. Aneita Lewis (standing left) of the CSME Unit (CARICOM Secretariat, Bridgetown), along with the Executive Director and two Accreditation Officers of the Council

An eager group of Surinamese students visited the Council on October 1, 2008 for an enlightening discussion regarding issues surrounding the Free Movement of CARICOM Nationals and the Council’s involvement in the programme.

The five-day visit to Barbados was part of a joint CARICOM-EU project entitled “Students Engaging the CSME through Field Promotion”. The visit was organised by the Office of the CSME Focal Point, Prime Minister’s Office in conjunction with the CSME Unit, CARICOM Secretariat, Bridgetown . It was a learning experience for the five, out of twenty-five, students who were hosted by the Council.

The project was designed to expose and sensitise a critical stakeholder, the youth, to the CSME as well as to provide them with practical and meaningful information of its operations.

(Standing, left to right) Professor Wendy Griswold, Dr. Dennis Mock, Dr. John Randall (Team Leader), Dr. Donald E. Hanna and Mr. Michael Theodore(Sitting) Mrs. Sharon Alleyne, Accreditation Officer; Ms. Valda Alleyne, Executive Director and Ms. Pamela Dottin , Accreditation Officer of the Council

The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and Open Campus hosted the team for its registration visit, which comprised Dr. John Randall, former C.E.O. of Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA); Prof.Wendy Griswold, Professor of Sociology at the NorthWestern University; Dr. Dennis Mock, President & Vice Chancellor of Nipissing University, Professor Donald E. Hanna, Professor of Educational Communications (Distance Education) of the University of Wisconsin-Extension; and Mr. Michael Theodore, representative of the Council of Legal Education.

The Council was represented by the Chairperson, Executive Director and Information Officer at the Fifth Annual CANQATE Conference held November 4 - 6, 2008 at the Elbow Beach Hotel, South Shore, Bermuda. It was hosted by the Bermuda College and the Ministry of Education.

The theme “New Pedagogy for Tertiary Education: A Quality Paradigm” attracted the participation of over 100 delegates from the Caribbean and beyond. The three-day conference saw the Feature Address for the Opening Ceremony being delivered by the Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport, Dr. The Hon. Ewart F. Brown. The delegates were also treated to a dinner where the food and entertainment were a reflection of the spirit, culture and people of Bermuda.

After the packed sessions, the delegates were then able to tour the beautiful island of Bermuda, which included a ride on the ferry.

Around the Region

Designed by the Barbados Accreditation Council

Please note our new location:

#123 A&B, “Plaza Centrale”, Roebuck Street, Bridgetown BB11080, BARBADOS

(From left to right) Mr. Brian-Anthony David, Quality Enhancement Officer and Dr. Ruby Alleyne, Executive Director, Accreditation Council of Trinidad & Tobago; Ms. Katrina Ifill, Information Officer, Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC); Mr. Christopher Chinapoo, Ministry of National Security, Trinidad and Tobago; Ms. Valda Alleyne, Executive Director, BAC; and Dr. Ethley London, Executive Director, University Council of Jamaica and President of CANQATE

Don’t

Fraudie Frog

Be A

Don’t be tricked...Make sure that

YOUR qualification is legit!

Call or visit the Barbados Accreditation Council

TODAY(246) 436-9094 (tel)

info@bac.gov.bb (email)www.bac.gov.bb (website)

WE’VE MOVED

CANQATE Conference 2008 - The Bermuda Experience