BRICS countries to simplify process of validating degrees obtained abroad

Representatives from BRICS nations convened to strengthen cooperation on the mutual recognition of academic qualifications, aiming to simplify and streamline the process of validating degrees obtained abroad. This is reported by the official website of Brazil’s Ministry of Education.

The discussions were held virtually and included delegations from Brazil, China, Egypt, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, with observers from Indonesia and Ethiopia also present.

Organised by Brazil’s Ministry of Education as part of the BRICS-Education activities, the two-day session focused on sharing national quality assurance mechanisms and exploring effective strategies for recognising foreign academic qualifications. The goal is to establish less bureaucratic, more accessible pathways for the revalidation of degrees across BRICS member states.

China emphasised its adherence to the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education and shared initiatives to distinguish between degrees obtained through in-person and distance learning modalities.

South Africa proposed the use of digital tools to combat academic fraud and introduced its National Qualifications Framework, which supports universities in revalidation procedures.

The virtual meeting concluded a series of three webinars coordinated by Brazil’s Ministry of Education as part of its leadership of BRICS-Education activities. The programme will continue with meetings between universities and a ministerial meeting scheduled for 5 June 2025 in Brasilia.

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