If you look at dictionary definitions of recognition, you see phrases such as “being acknowledged”, “a growing realisation”, “the acceptance of something being true” or even “understanding”.

Recognition of education is in fact a complex and multi-faceted property. Recognition of education is made up of a number of components which means education can be recognised in one way, but is not necessarily recognised in other ways.

What are some of the components of recognition?

Usefulness – What is the purpose of the course and how well does it serve that purpose. What are the capabilities of graduates a year or two after graduating? A course that passes students is only useful if the students do not forget what they have learned after graduating. Some courses can instil temporary skills and knowledge, while others can embed more permanent skills

Understanding - Is there a clear understanding of what the course involves. If the course outlines and documentation are unclear or scant; there can often be uncertainty about whether understanding is strong.

Visibility – How visible is the course? Which people are aware of its existence, and where are those people? Are they locals only, or spread around the world in a global setting?

Acknowledgement – Who acknowledges the course? Who endorses it, not only formally but informally? Also who criticises it? While courses might be supported by some, they can also be criticised by others. If you only become aware of one group e.g. employers, academics, professional bodies, government bureaucrats, you cannot form a balanced understanding of it’s worth.

How well does someone understand this question when they ask it?

When people ask the question ‘Is it recognised?’ they could in fact be asking for clarification on any one of a multitude of different things. For some, recognition is about “endorsement”, for others it is to do with “credibility”, and yet for others, they may be asking “how useful the course might be in the future”.

Over 40 years of involvement in and contribution to post secondary education, I have come to conclude that some people don’t actually understand what this means, why it’s important to them and why they are asking it. Most people have a sub-conscious desire to feel that a course they enter is safe and appropriate, and are looking for a yes or no answer.

At the end of the day if someone wants to accurately and clearly say that a course is or is not recognised they must first consider all aspects outlined above and qualifying the answer. To be ethical and honest, people should say such things as who it as and is not acknowledged by, and how well the course is both understood and visible by the world at large.