The Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications in the European Region is intended to ensure the recognition and mutual acceptance of diplomas and certificates of higher education among treaty participants. The Convention, signed in Lisbon in 1997, is an international agreement developed by the Council of Europe in collaboration with UNESCO. The Convention offers many advantages to states:
Workforce mobility: The convention promotes workforce mobility by recognizing higher education qualifications between member countries, making it easier for employers to recognize job seekers' qualifications and select the best candidates, and for graduates - to find jobs.
Educational opportunities: The convention broadens educational opportunities for students in member countries. Graduates from abroad will have more job opportunities because their degrees will be recognized in their home country.
Higher education institutions can also gain international recognition through the Convention, which can lead to an increase in the prestige of universities worldwide and an increase in the number of international students.
In addition, the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications between member states can improve the quality of education, which in turn will encourage universities to raise their education standards.
The convention also encourages cultural and academic exchanges among member countries. Students can learn about new cultures and join the international student community by studying in other countries. This can improve cultural understanding and promote international cooperation and dialogue.
As a result, the Convention on the Recognition of European Higher Education Qualifications promotes workforce mobility, educational opportunities, the prestige of higher education institutions, cultural and academic exchange by ensuring the recognition and mutual acceptance of higher education qualifications between member states.
Turkmenistan joined the Lisbon convention in November 2022. The convention gives graduates from the Europe opportunity to continue their studies within the national education system to obtain a subsequent degree.
Nurmyrat Mommayev,
PhD Candidate at Marmara University's Department of Political Science and International Relations in Istanbul, Türkiye
