Successful realization of mutual academic recognition in Europe is not simply a matter of comparing educational systems, however. Other obstacles the author describes are national attitudes towards a united Europe and the vast differences in recognition procedures and authorities in individual countries. Gradually, legal foundations are influencing attitudes. Mr. Kouwenaar describes the progression of key concepts from Equivalence to Recognition to Acceptance. It may be sufficient for the foreign degree to be of a comparable level, purpose, and prestige, even if it differs in details.
Recognition is possible whenever the general level of the qualifications is the same.
Higher Education in Europe offers key insights into elements of global comparative education. Questions regarding quality of educational systems, the transferability of foreign credit, recognition agreements between institutions or countries, or the comparability of foreign professional qualifications, are remarkably current among international admissions officers, evaluation agencies and other professionals in the field of international education. Mr. Kouwenaar's paper contributes to questions of academic recognition and educational comparability on a global scale. Both as an update on developments in Europe and as a contribution to the discussion on comparative education, Higher Education in Europe is an outstanding resource.