Global Academic Mobility: SIU and the Lisbon Recognition Convention

The International Framework for Fair Recognition

The Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) is the primary legal agreement governing the cross-border recognition of higher education qualifications. Adopted in 1997 under the joint auspices of the Council of Europe and UNESCO, the Convention establishes a standardized framework for 57 member states. Its core mandate ensures that academic degrees and study periods are evaluated fairly, flexibly, and transparently, facilitating greater international mobility for students and competent professionals.

Under the Convention, a foreign qualification must be given fair assessment by participating nations, with the guarantee of recognition unless substantial differences in the curriculum or degree requirements can be demonstrated.

Our Jurisdiction: The Kyrgyz Republic

As a full signatory that has ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention, the Kyrgyz Republic serves as the host jurisdiction for our institution. Swiss International University (SIU) is officially registered and recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, holding specific institutional licenses to confer higher education degrees in the fields of Business, Languages, and Education.

Because we operate under this official state authorization, all academic qualifications issued by SIU in these disciplines fall firmly within the scope of this international framework. When SIU graduates present their qualifications to educational institutions or employers in other member states, those credentials are legally protected by the Convention's guarantee of fair and transparent evaluation procedures in the receiving country.

Regulatory Transparency and Institutional Clarity

In strict accordance with the transparency requirements of the ENIC-NARIC network, Swiss International University (SIU) maintains clear and precise distinctions regarding its legal and regulatory jurisdiction.

While SIU proudly utilizes a heritage name reflecting its founding vision and educational standards, the institution operates and is governed entirely under the legal and educational authority of the Kyrgyz Republic. SIU does not claim to be a Swiss federal or cantonal higher education institution, nor does it operate under the Swiss Federal Higher Education Act (HEdA).

Consequently, degrees awarded by SIU are classified internationally as academic qualifications of the Kyrgyz Republic, rather than Swiss national degrees. For graduates seeking to utilize their degrees within Switzerland or any other member state, SIU qualifications are evaluated as foreign degrees by the respective national recognition authorities (such as swissuniversities in Switzerland or other ENIC-NARIC centers), ensuring total compliance with local laws regarding the protection of academic titles.

What This Means for SIU Graduates

By operating within a jurisdiction that adheres to the Lisbon Recognition Convention, SIU provides its graduates with a structured pathway for global mobility in the fields of business, linguistics, and education. For our students and alumni, this framework offers:

Fair Assessment: Your qualifications are entitled to a transparent and fair international evaluation process across all 57 signatory countries.
Academic Progression: Graduates have a legally recognized mechanism to apply for further higher education studies (such as Master's or Doctoral programs) at institutions worldwide.
Professional Mobility: This framework assists employers and corporate bodies in accurately understanding and evaluating the level of your academic achievements.

The Global Reach of Your Degree

Because the Kyrgyz Republic has ratified the Convention, degrees issued by Swiss International University (SIU) are protected under the Lisbon Recognition Convention’s fair assessment framework across the following member states:

Western & Northern Europe: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.
Central & Eastern Europe: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine.
Southern & Western Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See (Vatican City), Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland.
Asia, Eurasia & Pacific: Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, New Zealand, Tajikistan, Turkey (Türkiye), Turkmenistan.

(Note: Higher education institutions in many non-signatory nations, including the United States, generally follow highly similar principles for foreign credential evaluation).

Important Regulatory & Legal Disclaimers

To ensure clarity of expectations and provide the best experience for our students and partners, we outline the following operational parameters:

Apostille & Legalization: Because Swiss International University (SIU) operates under the jurisdiction of the Kyrgyz Republic, all academic degrees and documents issued by the university are usually authenticated and legalized (including the Hague Apostille) exclusively by the competent ministries and authorities in Kyrgyzstan. University documents are not issued, legalized, or apostilled by Swiss authorities.
Institutional Name: The name "Swiss International University" is a legally registered institutional and commercial name within its country of establishment. The use of this name reflects the institution's identity and does not imply affiliation with the Swiss government, nor does it confer the status of a state-recognized higher education entity within the Swiss Confederation.
Regulated Professions: The Lisbon Recognition Convention provides a framework for recognition for academic and general corporate employment purposes. However, graduates seeking to practice "regulated professions" related to our fields of study (e.g., licensed public school teaching, statutory auditing, or certified public accounting) in any foreign country are strictly subject to the specific requirements, examinations, and licensing boards of that host nation. While the Convention guarantees a fair evaluation of the degree, final recognition or the granting of a professional license remains entirely subject to the national laws and institutional policies of the receiving country.

Signatories to the Lisbon Recognition Convention

Because the Kyrgyz Republic is a full signatory, degrees issued by SIU are protected under the Lisbon Recognition Convention's fair assessment framework across all following member states:

A: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan
B: Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria
C: Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic
D: Denmark
E: Estonia
F: Finland, France
G: Georgia, Germany, Greece
H: Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary
I: Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy
K: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
L: Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg
M: Malta, Moldova, Montenegro
N: Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway
P: Poland, Portugal
R: Romania, Russian Federation
S: San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
T: Tajikistan, Turkey (Türkiye), Turkmenistan
U: Ukraine, United Kingdom

(Note: The United States has signed the convention but has not yet formally ratified it, though U.S. institutions generally follow its principles for foreign credential evaluation).