Recognition of qualifications plays an important role in helping people continue their education, pursue career opportunities, and move between countries with confidence. Supporting this work are the ENIC (European Network of Information Centres) and NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centres) Networks, which bring together recognition authorities from across Europe and beyond to exchange knowledge, share good practices, and address the challenges shaping the future of recognition.
For the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), active participation in the ENIC-NARIC Networks provides an opportunity to remain connected with international developments, contribute to discussions affecting the recognition sector, and ensure that Malta’s approach continues to align with European and global standards. Through this collaboration, MFHEA continues to support a recognition system that is transparent, reliable, and responsive to the needs of learners, institutions, and society.
Bringing Recognition Experts Together in Athens
The 33rd Annual Joint Meeting of the ENIC-NARIC Networks took place in Athens between 24 and 26 May 2026. The meeting brought together recognition professionals, government representatives, higher education institutions, and international organisations including the European Commission, the Council of Europe, and UNESCO.
At its core, the meeting focused on how recognition systems are adapting to a rapidly changing higher education environment. A strong emphasis was placed on digitalisation, the growing influence of artificial intelligence, and the need to keep recognition processes both trustworthy and workable across different countries.
Recognition in a Changing Higher Education Landscape
The event opened with remarks from the Greek Ministry of Education and DOATAP. The tone of the opening session highlighted how important recognition work has become, not just for student mobility but also for employment, social inclusion, and international cooperation. Speakers also acknowledged that recognition authorities are now operating in a much more complex environment than even a few years ago, shaped by fast technological change and the increasing global movement of learners.
Throughout the meeting, several ongoing European and international initiatives were referenced. These included the Council of Europe’s work on automatic recognition, the ETINED platform focused on ethics and transparency in education, initiatives tackling education fraud, and the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees. Together, these efforts reflect a shared direction of travel: making recognition systems more transparent, fair, and reliable for applicants and institutions alike.
The role of AI in education
One of the most engaging parts of the meeting was the keynote on artificial intelligence in education. The presentation explored how quickly AI tools like ChatGPT have become part of everyday academic life. Evidence shared during the session showed that students are already using these tools widely, and in some cases AI-generated work can perform surprisingly well in assessed tasks.
At the same time, a clear concern was raised around the reliability of AI detection tools. The evidence suggested that these systems are not yet dependable enough to be used as a sole basis for academic judgement, as they can wrongly flag genuine student work. This led to a broader discussion about the need to rethink assessment design rather than rely too heavily on detection technology. Approaches such as oral examinations, supervised assessments, and more applied forms of evaluation were highlighted as more robust ways of ensuring genuine learning is taking place.
Strengthening cross-country collaboration
Updates from across the ENIC and NARIC networks followed, with contributions from the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee, the ENIC Bureau, the NARIC Advisory Board, and ELCORE. The focus here was very much on strengthening cross-country collaboration and improving the way recognition professionals share knowledge and good practice. The Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee also outlined its upcoming 2025–2028 priorities, which place strong emphasis on transparency, quality, and capacity building.
A key development discussed was the Joint ENIC-NARIC Charter of Activities and Services. This was generally seen as a useful step toward bringing more consistency to recognition practices across different systems. At the same time, there was recognition that flexibility is still needed to accommodate national legal frameworks and institutional differences.
Artificial Intelligence: Balancing Risks and Opportunities
Several workshops explored both the risks and opportunities linked to artificial intelligence. On one hand, concerns were raised about increasingly sophisticated fraud, including fake qualifications and contract cheating. On the other hand, AI was also recognised as a practical tool that could support recognition work, particularly in document verification and administrative processing. Projects such as FraudAct and VerifAI were highlighted as examples of how these tools are already being explored in practice.
Moving Towards Digital Recognition Systems
Digitalisation was another strong theme throughout the meeting. Countries including Greece, Lithuania, and Romania shared developments in their move towards fully digital recognition systems. These systems are making it possible for applicants to complete much of the process online, which is a significant step forward. However, participants also acknowledged that there are still real challenges to overcome, particularly around interoperability between systems, legal differences, language issues, and resource constraints. Even so, there was clear momentum towards building a more connected and efficient European recognition landscape.
The Future Direction of Recognition Policy
Looking ahead, discussions with the European Commission, the Council of Europe, ENQA, and UNESCO focused on where recognition policy is heading. Key themes included updates to the ECTS Users’ Guide, the expansion of micro-credentials, the growth of lifelong learning, and revisions to quality assurance standards. The importance of supporting refugee learners and strengthening global recognition frameworks also came through strongly.
A session dedicated to the use of AI in recognition practice showed that most institutions are still at an early stage. Where AI is being used, it is mainly for support tasks such as translation and data handling rather than decision-making. There was a shared view that while AI can improve efficiency, final recognition decisions must remain with qualified professionals.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Recognition
The meeting closed with a forward-looking discussion on priorities for the sector. These included automatic recognition, digital credentials, vocational pathways, micro-credentials, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Across all discussions, there was a consistent message: while technology is changing how recognition works, trust, human judgement, and cooperation remain central.
The event concluded with the announcement that the next Annual Joint Meeting will take place in Oslo in 2027.
Conclusion
Overall, the discussions in Athens reflected a sector in transition, moving quickly towards digital systems and AI-supported processes, while still relying heavily on shared principles, professional expertise, and international collaboration.