Fwd: [mcfa-int] homologacion or reconocimiento

[Wolfgang Maser <wmaser@DROPMEcarbon.icb.csic.es>]

> Dear Erik,

here some clarifications:
The process of reconomimiento de títulos covers two parts:

a) Convalidación de estudios: This is the process you have to do when you 
want that the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) recognizes your 
studies you have taken in a non-Spanish university. That's up to the 
"licenciatura" degree which gives you the right to make a PhD, i.e. 
corresponding to diploma, master, ... .

b) Homologación de títulos: This is the  process you have to follow when 
you want that the MEC recongizes your PhD title.

For undertaking the homologación procedure, you must first pass the 
convalidación procedure (in case you don't have Spanish studies). That's 
obligatory! Otherwise it's directly rejected. And usually it's the 
convalidación procedure which is the more difficult to pass, because here 
they look if your studies undertaken adapt (more or less) to what Spanish 
universities require.  If you get this, then the homologacíon of the PhD 
title is not very critical.

For both processes the MEC is responsable.

When both processes are needed?
Whenever you want to work in public administration (University and CSIC 
belong to it) with a contract  corresponding to your degrees. Let's say, 
you want to get a contract in University or CSIC as a licenciado: you need 
to proof that you have the legal right to cover this post, i.e. the 
convalidación. In case of the doctor, it's the convalidación and 
homologación. And that is not only watched by Ministry, University or CSIC 
administration, but also by the trade unions which have something to say, 
if something is not legal in the contracting procedure.
And all this is not only for getting permanent position but also for a 
simple contract.

They consider it as a very formal and very legal act. If you fulfill the 
requirements, then you are allowed to play, if not, you are out. If you 
don't fulfill the requirements and they would give to you the contract, 
then this is not fair against another person who fulfills all legal 
requirements.
That's the way they see it. Its public administration and it doesn't 
distinguish if the job is for university/CSIC or for a post-office or 
train. All candidates have to obey the same legal public administration rules.

I do not defend this, I just describe to you their point of view. And by 
this, you might see how difficult and how long it might take to fight 
against it. (nothing immediately).

The problem itself is known here, as well in Brussels (and there they know 
it very well. From high top down to any project officers). But Brussels can 
not or does not want really to enter here. That is a very delicate matter 
for them as well.

CSIC recognizes this problem. To overcome it its idea is to change the 
status of CSIC. Plans exists, but there is enormous resistance, and that 
will take years, and even more, if the will is not clearly expressed.

The point is how really to fight against it.
In my opinion, they do not accept easily if one says, what they do is 
illegal or against Europe or something like that. They would feel heavily 
offended and will put argument against argument. Maybe, it could finish in 
front of the European court of Justice. But ...... Years!! Not to speak of 
implementing  new things.

The other way is that they really have to see how stupid it is not to open 
their system. Loosing good people, not being competitive etc. That really 
hurts them. They have to see it themselves that they have to do something. 
So one has to remind them always, at any occassion.

But, .... to be honest, I do not have the solution, and in whatever way you 
will do, it's a long way.

Wolfgang