2014-Feb 14: University Lecturers – Bonus Points Under SMC

Visa Pak 148: Advice for staff regarding how to assess the work experience for University Lecturers to determine if they are eligible for Bonus Points under the Skilled Migrant Category

Visa Paks

14 February 2014

University Lecturers – Bonus Points Under SMC 
 

Recognised work experience is assessed as being in an area of absolute skills shortage if it was undertaken in an occupation included on the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) (or that was on the LTSSL at the time the principal applicant’s Expression of Interest (EOI) was selected); and it meets the specification for that occupation; and the PA is suitably qualified by training and/or experience to undertake the work (including any specific requirements set out in column 3 of the LTSSL or that were listed on the date their EOI was selected) (see SM 13.20).

In February 2014 University Lecturers were specified on the LTSSL as requiring a Master’s Degree (Level 9) or Doctorate (Level 10), and a minimum of twelve months’ work experience as a University Lecturer (or a Post-Doctoral Fellow) (see Appendix 4)

Some staff asked for advice on how to determine if an applicant’s work experience as a Lecturer at an offshore tertiary institution can be considered to be as a University Lecturer.

Advice

SM13.20.1 states that:

"Recognised work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage only qualifies for points if the principal applicant provides evidence that satisfies an immigration officer that their work experience meets the requirements of SM13.20 above".

Staff should ensure that points claimed for work experience as a University Lecturer is for work as a Lecturer at a University, in New Zealand terms. This should be done at application stage.

Staff should refer to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LoQEA) to assist with the assessment of whether an applicant’s offshore claimed work experience as a University Lecturer is at a University, and follow the steps below:

  • Institution listed on the LoQEA published in immigration instructions in 2012 and after
  • Institutions listed on the LoQEA published in immigration instructions in 2012 and after should be accepted as a University level institution (within the dates listed). (The exception being the HETAC awards and HETAC delegated authority Institutes of Technology on the Irish academic list).

For example: The Singapore list has a current effective date of 23/09/2013. Nanyang Technological University should be accepted as a University level institution where Lecturer work experience is in 1994 or onwards.

  • Institutions listed on LoQEA published in immigration instructions in 2011 and before
  • Institutions listed on the LoQEA published in immigration instructions in 2011 and before should be accepted as a University level only where a PhD is listed with a specific date in the years before or during the applicant’s claimed work experience.

For example: The Argentina list has a current effective date of 26/09/2011, and the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella lists a PhD in Economia (Economics), 1999 – 2005. If the Lecturer work experience is from 1999 or onwards it should be accepted as at a University level institution. The work experience does not need to correspond to the PhD subject matter to be acceptable.

Note: More information is required for institutions listed as follows on the LoQEA (to determine whether they are a University level institution):

  • a PhD qualification is listed but without a specific date for a particular institution;
  • generic qualifications are listed without specific qualifications individually listed and without a specific date.

Note: Lists that do not provide any or sufficient PhD information for any institution are:

Austria, Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan.

Institution not listed on LoQEA, or does not meet the required standards to be determined as a University level institution:

If an institution is not listed on the LoQEA, (or does not meet the required standard as noted above) then staff should check the country’s Ministry of Education website (or equivalent) for a list of Universities (as opposed to higher education providers or university colleges).

Note: Staff may need to research when the institution was granted University status, and only consider claimed work experience as a University Lecturer from the date that University status was granted.

When to request assistance from NZQA:

Staff may request assistance from the Qualification Recognition Service at NZQA for assistance in identifying whether the applicant has work experience as a lecturer at a University if:

  • the institution is not listed on the LoQEA, or
  • is listed on the LoQEA but does not meet the required standard as noted above, or
  • is not listed on the country’s Ministry of Education website (or equivalent) as a University, or
  • is listed on the LoQEA with no specific PhD awarded from date listed for the individual University

 

Note: It is advised that despite this guidance, some institutions in China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, and Taiwan, with the title of University, that are listed on government websites, and may offer a wide variety of degrees and post graduate study may still require additional research. It is advised that Universities in these countries, be checked by NZQA.

Institutions names may also indicate if further information is required. The following names would in general suggest more information is required to determine whether it is a University level institution: Akademie, College, Collegium, Conservatoire, Ecole, École Supérieure, Fachhochschule, Föiskola, Hogeschool, Högskolan, Haute École, Institute of Technology, Polytechnic, Politechnika, Private, Professionshøjskoler, Professional, School, Seminary, Technika, Vysoka Skola, Wy?sza Szkola.

Follow these instructions.