Who we are

Association

"Considering that higher education should play a vital role in promoting peace, mutual understanding and tolerance, and in creating mutual confidence among peoples and nations;

Considering that the great diversity of education systems in the European region reflects its cultural, social, political, philosophical, religious and economic diversity, an exceptional asset which should be fully respected;

Desiring to enable all people of the region to benefit fully from this rich asset of diversity by facilitating access by the inhabitants of each State and by the students of each Party's educational institutions to the educational resources of the other Parties, more specifically by facilitating their efforts to continue their education or to complete a period of studies in higher education institutions in those other Parties;

Considering that the recognition of studies, certificates, diplomas and degrees obtained in another country of the European region represents an important measure for promoting academic mobility between the Parties;

Attaching great importance to the principle of institutional autonomy, and conscious of the need to uphold and protect this principle;

Convinced that a fair recognition of qualifications is a key element of the right to education and a responsibility of society; […]

Conscious of the need to find common solutions to practical recognition problems in the European region;

Conscious of the need to improve current recognition practice and to make it more transparent and better adapted to the current situation of higher education in the European region;"

(Treaty n°165, Lisbon 11.04.1997)

25 years after the drafting of the Lisbon Convention, in compliance with and safeguarding the principles it promotes, the Italian Professional Association of Credential Evaluators (APICE) saw the light in 2022.

APICE networks and supports the community of credential evaluation professionals, promoting excellence and collaboration through training, research and professional development. In accordance with its statutory aims, the main activities through which the Association intends to pursue its objectives are:

APICE is the first national network of experts in the evaluation and academic recognition of qualifications, with the aim of enhancing the professionalism of its members, protecting their interests and looking after their permanent professional training.

A professional association envisioned on a voluntary and non-profit basis, APICE aims to spread the profession itself as an example of a new, specialised figure that arises in the evolutionary context of the European Higher Education Area, contributing daily to guarantee the right of each individual to an evaluation of their qualifications according to transparent, consistent and reliable criteria.

Based on the UNI Reference Practice Number 120: 2021, in force since 22 October 2021, the association also aims to determine and guarantee the professional standards and ethical norms of the Credential Evaluator profession, recognising its fundamental role in the implementation of national and international policies regarding the recognition of qualifications.
  • Promotion of study and work groups aimed at determining and continuously updating the professional standards and ethical norms of Credential Evaluation;
  • Promotion of the legislative, social and cultural recognition of the professional Credential Evaluator figure;
  • Training and professional updating in the field of Credential Evaluation;
  • Supervision of the professional conduct of the Associates;
  • Organisation and promotion of meetings, conferences and events related to the Credential Evaluation sector;
  • Award of certificates of quality and the professional qualification of the services provided by the Members;
  • Verification of the skills, training and professional updating of its Associates;
  • Production and dissemination of didactic, scientific and research material on issues concerning the evaluation and recognition of qualifications;
  • Promotion of communication and networking services in the Credential Evaluation sector;
  • Participation in international projects in the field of school and higher education, promoting the establishment of partnerships between higher education institutions and other bodies operating in the higher education and training sector;
  • Promotion and development of IT solutions and new technologies (e.g. blockchain technology and artificial intelligence) in the higher education sector;
  • Management of relationships and participation in the activities of associations, organisations and other initiatives operating at national and international level in the higher education and Credential Evaluation sector;
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