Universities UK

How will the Bologna Process and EU initiatives affect higher education worldwide?

Diana Warwick

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The Bologna Process 1

• 1999 ‘Bologna Declaration’ - Creation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) by 2010

• Improve the compatibility and comparability of European HE - not about harmonisation!

• Increasing the international competitiveness of European HE

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• 46 participating countries

• Biennial ministerial summits

• Prague 2001, Berlin 2003, Bergen 2005, London 2007

The Bologna Process 2

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Bologna Process stakeholders 1

• Ministerial departments

• Council of Europe

• European Commission

• UNESCO-CEPES

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Bologna Process stakeholders 2

• Higher Education Institutions • European University Association (EUA) • European Association of Institutions in

Higher Education (EURASHE)

• Students (European Students Union)

• Academic staff (Education International)

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Key Bologna Process reforms

• Bachelor – Master – Doctoral cycles

• Overarching Framework for Qualifications of the EHEA

• Standards and Guidelines European for Quality Assurance in the EHEA

• European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

• Diploma Supplement

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London summit, May 2007 - outcomes

• Register of European Higher Education Quality Assurance Agencies

• ‘Social dimension’ – widening participation and access to HE

• Mobility of staff and students

• Future of the EHEA post-2010

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Participating states

EU MEMBER STATES

Austria LatviaBelgium LithuaniaBulgaria LuxembourgCyprus MaltaCzech Rep NetherlandsDenmark PolandEstonia PortugalFinland RomaniaFrance Slovakia Germany SloveniaGreece SpainHungary SwedenIreland UKItaly

NON – EU MEMBER STATES

Albania MontenegroAndorra Norway Armenia RussiaAzerbaijan Serbia Bosnia Switzerland -Herzegovina TurkeyCroatia UkraineGeorgia Holy SeeIcelandLiechtensteinMacedonia Moldova

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The role of the EU 1

Not the same thing! 46 v 27!

Bologna Process:• HE Ministers from 46

countries agree to Communiqués

• HE sector a key driver• Students, Govts,

international orgs (EU, CoE), HE staff also very involved

EU:• Top-down decision

making (E.Comm)• No legislative

competency for HE• Funding for mobility

initiatives• Lisbon Agenda –

reform of European HE

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The role of the EU 2

• The Lisbon Strategy:• [To make the EU] ‘the most dynamic and competitive

knowledge economy in the world… capable of delivering stronger, lasting growth and creating more and better jobs’.

• European Commission Communication, 2006: ‘Delivering on the Modernisation Agenda for Universities: Education, Research and Innovation’

• Greater synergy between doctoral cycle and European Research Area

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The role of the EU 3

• European Institute of Technology (EIT)• Knowledge and Innovation Communities

(KICs)

• European Research Council (ERC)• ERC Starting Grants• ERC Advanced Grants

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The role of the EU 4

• Erasmus Mundus• EU-funded scholarships for third country

nationals to study Joint Master’s degrees

• TEMPUS• EU and 26 partner countries in North Africa,

Caucus region, Middle East and elsewhere• Developing HE infrastructure

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Affect on HE worldwide 1

• Strategy for the EHEA in a Global Setting

• Improving the Bologna Secretariat website (Benelux countries)

• Building upon the EUA’s Bologna Handbook

• Improving recognition of qualifications

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Affect on HE worldwide 2

• Improving immigration visa procedures for students from inside and outside the EHEA

• Allowing universities time to implement Bologna reforms

• Greater autonomy for universities

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Global response 1

• Australia• Diploma Supplement• Brisbane Communiqué

• New Zealand• Diploma Supplement

• National interest remains the main focus

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Global response 2

• North America • Greater acceptance of 3 year

undergraduate degrees

• Increased emphasis on learning outcomes

• Lifelong learning

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Why should you be interested in the Bologna Process?

• “We are already in an advantageous position.”

• “It’s happening on another continent on the other side of the world.”

• “Is it a threat from Europe?”

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For more information

• Bologna Secretariat

www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/

• UK Higher Education Europe Unitwww.europeunit.ac.uk or contact:

info@europeunit.ac.uk

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