Introduction to the Bologna Process

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Recognition in the EHEA An overview of HE reform in Europe Dr Justin FenechAnthony F. Camilleri

FAIRECoimbra – Portugal

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What is the Bologna Process?

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The Bologna ProcessOrigin: Sorbonne Declaration (1998) – FR; UK; IT; DE

Follow-up:

Bologna Declaration (1999) – 29 countries

Prague Communiqué (2001) – 32 countries, EC, CoE, EUA, EURASHE, ESIB

Berlin Communiqué (2003) – 40 countries

Bergen Communiqué (2005) – 45 countries, EI, ENQA, Business-Europe

London Communiqué (2007) – 46 countries

Leuven / Louvain-la-Neuve Communiqué (2009) – 46 countries

Vienna / Budapest Declaration (2010) – 47 countries

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The Bologna Process

Original Aim was to develop a European Higher Education Area by 2010:

Comparability and compatibility of degrees based on a three cycle system

Ensure employability of graduates

Promote student and staff mobility

Develop a European dimension in higher education

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Diploma Supplement (1999) Recognition (2001)

ECTS (1999) Workload & learning outcomes (2003)

Student Centred Learning (2007)

Two-cycle structure (1999) Three-cycle structure (2003)

Short-cycle (2005)

Mobility (1999)

Quality Assurance (1999) EQAR (2005)

European dimension (1999) Attractiveness (2001)

Multidimensional transparency tools (2009)

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Lifelong learning (2001)

Involvement of higher education institutions and students (2001)

Social dimension (2001) Data collection (2007)

Employability (2001)

Qualifications Framework (2003)

Funding (2009)

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Bologna Process Structure: Bologna Secretariat

Bologna Follow-Up Group

Working Groups

Conferences

Ministerial Summits

Bologna Policy Forum

Launch of European Higher Education Area at

Vienna / Budapest Ministerial Conference (2010)

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The Positives of the Bologna Process

+• Collaborative• Inter-governmental• Strong stakeholder involvement• Based on a vision of borderless education

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The Negatives of the Bologna Process

-• Non-Binding• Mis-implemented and misunderstood• Does not deal with important issues

• Employability• Funding

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Bologna ProcessConcepts

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Diploma Supplement Describes the education system of the country and how

the programme followed by the student and the education

institution places within this system along with the main

areas studied as part of the programme. Should be issued

automatically and free of charge in a widely spoken

European language to every student with their degree.

ECTS The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation

System reflects the workload associated with study units. One

academic year of full time study corresponds to 60

ECTS credits. One ECTS credit should be equivalent to 25-30

hours of classes and self-study.

Two/Three-cycle structure Represents the Bachelor - Master - Doctorate structure

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Quality Assurance Facilitate cooperation on quality assurance in higher education on European level to develop common

criteria and methodologies that will promote mutual trust in and facilitate recognition of qualifications.

Qualifications Framework Explains qualifications in an education system on the basis of knowledge, skills and competencies obtained upon

completion. It provides information on the level of and transition between qualifications to allow for flexible learning pathways and to facilitate recognition of qualifications.

Mobility Including students, academic and administrative staff. It may be for a short-term (e.g. semester) or a whole

degree. The development of a mobility window is discussed to allow for flexibility of study programmes. The process envisages that 20% of graduates should have been

mobile as part of their studies by 2020.

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European dimension Shall increase the transparency and attractiveness of

European higher education globally to attract the most

talented students to Europe.

Lifelong learning Flexible learning pathways and transition between

education and work shall ensure continuous

opportunities for learning and the development of

knowledge, skills and competencies. Furthermore lifelong

learning shall provide opportunities for flexible access to

higher education for underrepresented groups.

Involve HEI & students In all decision making within higher education

institutions as well as in the Bologna Process as a whole

to ensure ownership of the reforms and their proper

implementation.

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Social dimension Higher education should be accessible so that the

student population in higher education should reflect the

diversity of the general population.

Employability Provide students with the knowledge, skills and

competencies required on the labour market to avoid

graduate unemployment.

Funding Higher education is understood as a public good and a

public responsibility requiring continuous and adequate

support by governments.

Theoretically...

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How it all fits togetherAn evolving picture of portable qualifications in Europe

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University

?UniversityWork

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Dott.

3 yrs

Bacc.

3 yrs

Work

equivalent?

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What to do?• Option 1: Change names of most

degrees in Europe– Opposition from many professions– Public confusion

• Option 2: Find an easy way to describe them

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Dott.

Bacc.

EQF

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

Level 8

Work

equivalent

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Work

What did you study?

I studied EQF 6 engineering at

Coimbra

I studied EQF 6 engineering at

Msida

equivalent?

DS DS

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Diploma Supplement

A collection of credits

CreditLearning Outcomes Level

Described in terms of:Knowledge

SkillsAttitude

Estimated using:

Workload

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Work

What did you study?

I studied EQF 6 engineering at

Coimbra

I studied EQF 6 engineering at

Msida

equivalent

DS DS

But, is this is a quality university

qualification?

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University Internal QA

National Agency External QA

University Internal QA

National Agency External QA

eqar

Euro

pean

Sta

ndar

ds a

nd G

uide

lines

fo

r Qua

lity

Assu

ranc

e

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Comparing Qualifications• EQF allows you to compare qualifications

at macro-level• Diploma Supplement describes the content

of a qualification• ECTS is a common currency for describing

the content of a qualification• ESG guarantee comparable quality levels

A la carte implementation is not an option

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credits

University

University

University

Portable qualifications means you can use them anywhere within the European Higher

Education Area

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Bologna Process Implementation

Reform of Degree Structure

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27

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Bologna Process Implementation

Qualification Framework

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Bologna Process Implementation

Quality Assurance

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32

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Bologna Process Implementation

Diploma Supplement

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Bologna Process Implementation

ECTS

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The Bologna Process European Student Position

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Obrigado!Thank-you for your attention

Questions?

Dr Justin Fenech (justin@kic-malta.com)Anthony F. Camilleri (anthony@kic-malta.com)