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Economic Community of West African States
General Convention A/C.1/1/03 on the Recognition and Equivalence of Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Other Qualifications in ECOWAS Member States
- Published in official journal 42 on 1 January 2003
- Commenced
- [This is the version of this document at 31 January 2003.]
Article 1 – Definitions
The following terms shall have the meanings assigned to them hereunder.Community is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) whose establishment has been reaffirmed under Article 2 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty.Treaty means the Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States signed in Cotonou on 24th July, 1993.Member state or Member States shall mean a Member State or States of the Economic Community of West African States.Host Member State shall mean the Member State or the country of residence of the holder of a qualification.Member State, Country of Origin shall mean the Member States or country of origin of the migrant student or holder of the qualification, or of which he/she is a national.High Contracting parties shall mean ECOWAS Member StatesExecutive Secretariat shall mean the Executive Secretariat of the Economic Community as referred to under Article 17 of the Treaty.corresponding to the same criteria and which may be considered to be identicalExemption shall refer to recognition of the basic value of other education systems even where qualifications do not correspond or are strictly identical.In this context exemption means exceptionally permitted to pursuer studies under certain condition.Comparability shall mean recognition of qualifications with the same academic value, the element of comparison exists with regards to the level and stage of training.Partial Studies shall means education of partial duration or consent by comparison with the norms prevailing in the institution in which it is acquired. Recognition may be granted in accordance with the level of education attained by the students as approved by the state granting recognition.Stage of Training shall mean the sum of academic studies or personal experience and achievement culminating in attachment of the requisite level of maturity and skill to enable the training to accede to the next stage of studies, or to take up appointment and perform such duties as are consonant with the stage attained if wishing to embark upon a profession.Article 2 – Aims and objectives
The aim of the Convention shall be:To promote regional co-operation with regard to the assessment and recognition of degreed, diplomas, certificates and other qualifications, social and cultural integration embarked upon by ECOWAS.To widen cooperation among people and strengthen collaboration in the use of manpower, thereby reducing brain and promoting harmonious development.and the pursuit of studies.Article 3 – Undertaken given by Member States
Member States of the Community hereby undertakenArticle 4 – Conditions for validity, equivalence and comparability
The following main criteria are to be complied with:Article 5 – List of qualification
The list of degrees, diplomas, and other qualifications and grades which are equivalent, comparable or granted dispensation approved by the Council of Ministers is attached as an annex to this convention.Article 6 – Data collection
Article 7 – Further studies
Any national of a Member State whose certificate was obtained outside ECOWAS may take advantage of such provisions as may be applicable, provided the certificates are recognisied in the country of award and in the Member State where he/she wishes to continue his/her studies.Article 8 – Final provisions
This Convention shall replace all other convention and treaties on the subject which may have been signed between ECOWAS Member States.The Convention shall not, however, in any manner affect the provisions of Treaties and Conventions already signed between Member States of the Community and third countries and/or international bodies.Article 9 – Revision and amendment
Article 10 – Entry into force
History of this document
31 January 2003 this version
Consolidation