On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Ministry of Education hosted the presentation of a study on the possibilities of introducing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in higher education. The study was prepared within the EU project “Increased Offer and Diversification of Accredited Non-Formal Training Courses and Adult Training Providers.”
The study aims to assess the current state of RPL implementation in higher education, identify key preconditions for its full application, highlight obstacles slowing progress, and analyze the potential effects such processes could have on higher education and society in Serbia.
The meeting gathered representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Office for Dual Education and the National Qualifications Framework, the Qualifications Agency, the Institute for the Improvement of Education, and the EU Delegation in Serbia.
The study was presented by expert Mile Dzelalija, who shared experiences from across Europe and emphasized that RPL is an important part of the Bologna Process. He noted that this mechanism serves two main purposes: enabling access to higher education programs and facilitating entry into the labor market through the acquisition of full or partial qualifications.
Dzelalija underlined that neither the Law on NQF nor the Law on Higher Education currently provide a framework for developing and implementing RPL in higher education. He stressed that the study recommends a phased approach, beginning with the development of qualification standards in higher education, followed by detailed preparation and pilot projects.
During the discussion, participants agreed that there is room for introducing RPL in Serbia’s higher education system. They highlighted the importance of distinguishing between qualifications gained through formal studies and those acquired through work experience. Participants also pointed out the need to clearly define the scope of recognition and, above all, to build trust in the system through transparent and well-structured procedures.