BRICS countries have agreed to simplify how academic degrees obtained abroad are validated between member states, in a step that could make it easier for students and professionals to work or study across borders. The agreement was reached during a virtual meeting hosted by Brazil’s Ministry of Education as part of ongoing BRICS-Education activities.
According to SEE News, delegates from Brazil, China, Egypt, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates attended the meeting, with observers from Indonesia and Ethiopia also taking part. The two-day session focused on improving the mutual recognition of qualifications and reducing red tape for those with foreign degrees.
The participants shared their national quality assurance frameworks and discussed ways to align recognition processes. China, for instance, highlighted its implementation of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education and outlined the measures it uses to differentiate between in-person and distance-learning qualifications.
South Africa presented its National Qualifications Framework, which supports revalidation of degrees and helps universities assess foreign academic credentials. South African delegates also proposed using digital tools to combat credential fraud and improve verification processes, according to SEE News.
This initiative is part of a broader series of education-focused webinars led by Brazil under its 2025 chairship of BRICS-Education. The final session of the series will be followed by direct meetings between universities and culminate in a ministerial-level conference scheduled for 5 June 2025 in BrasÃlia.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment by BRICS countries to enhance cooperation in education and facilitate academic mobility. As higher education becomes more international, such policies could play a key role in opening up new opportunities for graduates across the Global South.
For further details, read the original report from SEE News.
