Evaluate your Academic Certificates for free with NQA

Attention: The information Below pertains to the process of Evaluation of All Foreign Certificates. 

We are appealing to all our members to contact us and send us their copies for free evaluation with NQA, will submit on your behalf and complete the paperwork. connect us at euglen@ledgerwoodaccfirm.com or whatsaap us at +27-736559064 for details. Postage & Handling Fees apply. Have your Certificates certified by Namibian Embassy in Harare, along Borrowdald road just after Sam Levy Village.  www.namqa.org 

Overview  : 

Evaluation means the determination by the NQA of the significance of a qualification obtained that has not been registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) of Namibia. These qualifications may have been obtained prior to the development of the NQF or from other nations. Evaluation regulations gazzetted in 2007 guide the process of Evaluation.

When evaluating qualifications the NQA seeks to confirm the legality, validity and credibility of the qualification document submitted and the qualification to which the document refers. The NQA then analyses available information to express each qualification in terms of the nomenclature and structural features of the National Qualifications Framework of Namibia. This is to assist the recognition of qualifications by other bodies for the purpose of academic, career and/or professional placement of the qualification holder.

Relationship between Qualification Evaluation and the NQF

Qualification Evaluation differs from Qualification Registration. In the latter case, qualifications submitted by institutions, organisations, industry or professional bodies are quality assured against registration criteria to confirm a placement on the National Qualifications Framework so as to be available for award by appropriately accredited bodies.

Qualification Evaluation involves the consideration of qualifications already awarded. The holder of the qualification seeks a formal expression of the comparative relationship of their qualification with qualifications able to be registered on the National Qualifications Framework. Evaluation Criteria are applied to determine each comparative relationship.

Evaluated qualifications are not placed on the NQF but will be aligned with the NQF.

Lodging an application

Any person may lodge an application to have their qualification(s) evaluated by the NQA. Applications must be made on the approved application form and must be completed fully, correctly and legibly.

Only black or blue ink may be used.

The NQA will process full applications only. If any information is lacking, or does not comply with the requirements in the application form and as stated below, the evaluation process will not be activated and additional information will be requested.

What to submit

As well as the Application Form, certified copies of the following documents must be submitted:

• each degree, diploma or certificate;
• complete, official academic record of each award issued by the certifying body;
• completion of apprenticeships, where relevant;
• translation of all non-English language documents prepared by a sworn translator;
• proof of change of name, where applicable; and
• identity document or passport with photograph.

If available, certified copies of the following documents should also be made available:

• statements of course hours and credits; and
• a syllabus or course prescription for each qualification, trade or technical course studied.

Certified copies

A certified copy is a copy which is verified by the issuing authority or a commissioner of oaths, such as a solicitor or police officer, as a true copy of the original.

A signature is required on each page, with the name and title of the official printed legibly below the signature. The telephone number of the official should also be given.

Please note that copies should be certified inside Namibia or at a Namibian Embassy in Harare .

Country specific requirements

This list is subject to change according to need.

• Angola School certificates must be endorsed by the Angolan Ministry of Education or the Namibian Embassy in Angola
• Nigeria Copies of qualification documents (certificates and academic records) as issued by education institutions, must be certified by the Namibian Embassy in Nigeria or original documents should be submitted.
• India Copies of qualification documents (certificates and academic records) as issued by education institutions, must be certified by the Namibian Embassy in India or original documents should be submitted.

What is not required

• Original documents unless specifically requested by the NQA;
• Faxes or copies of faxes;
• Copies of certified copies; and
• Forged, altered or falsified documents.

Forged documents

If forged, altered or falsified documents are submitted, an evaluation will not be issued.

The NQA then reserves the right to share the information with institutions and government agencies as appropriate.

Timelines for applications

Normal applications are generally processed Normally within 30 working days.

Urgent applications may be processed within15 working days.

Working days are days on which the NQA is open for business and exclude Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and the annual recess in December/January.

Due to various factors beyond the control of the NQA, it is possible that the timelines may be exceeded for some applicants. Clients should therefore take cognizance of the possibility of delays before lodging an application. In the event of an extra-ordinary circumstance causing considerable delay, clients will be informed. The NQA, however, will do everything within its power to make results available within the relevant timeline, or as promptly afterwards as possible.

Evaluation results

An Evaluation Report will only be issued to the applicant. A certified copy of the Evaluation Report may be issued to another party if specifically requested and paid for by the applicant.

Evaluation results will be made available according to the applicant’s instruction, by mail or personal collection. Evaluation reports will under no circumstances be faxed or e-mailed.

Fees and Payments 

No fee is currently charged. A fee structure is under consideration.

Right to appeal

An applicant has the right to appeal a decision of the NQA contained in any Evaluation Report. Such an appeal may be made on any of the following grounds:

• the applicant was denied the right to be informed of evaluation processes and requirements;
• the evaluation outcomes appear to be inconsistent, e.g. when similar qualifications do not have similar evaluation outcomes; and
• the evaluation procedures are applied inconsistently, e.g. when a qualification holder can provide substantial evidence that published procedures/criteria were not followed.

Lodging an appeal

A qualification holder may lodge an appeal within two weeks after receiving a formal evaluation outcome. The appeal must be addressed to the Manager of the Qualifications Section of the NQA.

Any appeal must be made in writing and must contain documentation substantiating the grounds for the appeal.

Upon receipt of the appeal letter the Manager shall scrutinize and review all the available sources of information and determine that it fits “grounds for appeal”. If grounds are met, a re-evaluation shall be done by an independent evaluator, after which the initial recommendations will either be adjusted or sustained.

If the applicant is still not satisfied with the appeal outcome, he/she may lodge another appeal with the Council of Namibia Qualifications Authority.