The DOCET project relates to the themes of Recognition of credits, degrees and qualifications between Europe and third countries, Mutual recognition of qualifications with third countries and Promotion of the use of the European qualifications framework and ECTS.

The main aims of the project can be summarized as follows:

1. Enhancing the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area and improving its value, with the development and a pilot implementation of model and tools for the recognition of European higher engineering degrees by worldwide students and universities easily "portable" in several disciplinary areas and based on the EQF, CDIO and ECTS;

2. Strengthening the links between the University and the labour market, with the improvement of the visibility and recognition of degrees both by Universities and businesses;

3. Promotion of the use of the EQF for the recognition of engineering degrees and qualifications among targeted European countries.

In order to achieve the aims, the DOCET project will be organized into two main phases:

1. Developing the EQF-CDIO correspondence model. In particular, according to the EQF and the CDIO framework, the correspondence model will be based on the following dimensions:

• Learning outcomes typologies, i.e. knowledge, skills, attitudes or competences

• Learning levels

• Engineering process cycle (conceiving - designing - implementing - operating)

2. Testing the EQF-CDIO correspondence model and tuning it:

• A selected sample of European engineering higher degrees will be mapped onto the CDIO framework according to the correspondence model to be tested and will be also compared with a corresponding set of US (or Swedish) qualifications CDIO compliant.

• The test results will enable to tune and consolidate the model

In particular, the reference sample of qualifications will be selected by the European project partners from the target engineering areas defined (Aerospace, ICT and Energy-Environment Engineering).

Moreover, as the reference sample of European qualifications will be mapped onto the CDIO framework according to the EQF-CDIO correspondence model developed, it must be consistent with the EQF; i.e. the selected qualifications are to be described in terms of learning outcomes and even connected with EQF levels.

Accordingly, if necessary, qualifications contents will be translated into learning outcomes and linked to EQF levels before mapping them onto the CDIO framework