Recognition of diplomas in the Western Balkan
The participants of the Western Balkans Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia, as contracting parties between them, have concluded an agreement in Oher, on June 8, 2022, to promote productive cooperation for the recognition of diplomas and scientific titles within the region, always based on equality and mutual benefit.
The purpose of this Agreement is to facilitate institutional cooperation in the field of recognition of diplomas and scientific degrees of higher education, obtained in the Contracting Parties, between the ENIC/NARIC offices, with the aim of facilitating recognition procedures.
The responsible institution in the Republic of Albania for the recognition of diplomas obtained abroad (except for the scientific degree “Doctor”) is the Educational Services Center (QSHA) under the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic of Albania. The institution responsible for the recognition in the Republic of Albania of the scientific degree “Doctor”, obtained abroad, is the Ministry of Education and Sports. The Technical Secretariat for this service is located near the Center for Educational Services. The institution responsible for recognition in the Republic of Serbia is the Qualifications Agency (ENIC/NARIC Center) for professional recognition (for the purpose of employment) and higher education institutions accredited in the Republic of Serbia. for academic recognition (for the purpose of continuing studies). The institution responsible for recognition in the Republic of North Macedonia is the Ministry of Education and Science – Unit for the Recognition of Foreign Diploma Qualifications.
Institutional cooperation, in the field of mutual recognition of diplomas and scientific degrees, will be realized through:
a) Cooperation for facilitating the recognition of diplomas and scientific degrees of higher education, acquired in the Contracting Parties;
b) Shortening the mutual deadlines for the recognition procedures of diplomas and scientific degrees of higher education, acquired in the Contracting Parties.
Facilitation of procedures:
a) For diplomas issued by accredited institutions of higher education, equipped with an Apostille stamp, the responsible institutions proceed directly with the recognition, without the need for e-mail verification of the authenticity of the diploma. Except, in cases where there are reasonable doubts about the authenticity of the documentation, each Contracting Party reserves the right to request electronic confirmation from the other Contracting Party.
b) The deadline for confirming the authenticity of the diploma is up to 14 working days after the submission of the request by the other Party.
c) The deadline for completing the diploma recognition process is up to 20 working days, after confirming the authenticity of the diploma or presenting it with the Apostille stamp.