Bologna Process: the next steps

1. Bologna Process: the next steps Ligia DECA Head of the 2010 – 2012 Bologna Secretariat

2. The Bologna Secretariat • Main role: • “...to provide neutral support to further the consolidation of the European Higher Education Area under the exclusive authority of the BFUG and its Chairs and Vice-Chairs.” • Functions: • Administrative and operational support for BFUG, its sub-structures (WG and networks) and the Board (minute-taking, background documents drafting, assisting chairs in planning the meeting, communication etc.); • Create and maintain the EHEA permanent website and electronic archives; • Act as an internal and external contact point for the EHEA, while ensuring external representation on behalf of the Chairs or based on direct requests; • Organise the 2012 Ministerial Conference and Bologna Policy Forum. www.ehea.info

3. The EHEA unfolded • Bologna action lines EHEA Objectives/ HE • priorities www.ehea.info

4. BFUG Workplan • Working groups: • International openness: The European Higher Education Area in a Global Context • Mobility • Qualification frameworks • Recognition • Reporting on the implementation of the Bologna Process • Social dimension • Transparency tools • Networks: • EHEA Information and Promotion Network • Network of NQF Correspondents • NESSIE (Network for Experts of Student Support in Europe) • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) network www.ehea.info

5. Current BFUG debates • Alden Biesen BFUG meeting (25-26th of August 2010) - highlights: • Reporting on the implementation of the Bologna Process – questionnaire feedback • Additional working methods within the EHEA • Language regime of the ministerial conferences • Permanent EHEA website, more interactive and an electronic archive • Possible themes of the next Bologna Policy Forum • The EHEA mobility benchmark and its links with the similar EU initiatives • Progress towards implementation of national qualifications frameworks (NQF) in all EHEA countries (with 2012 as a deadline for NQFs to be in place and ready for self certification) • ECTS and DS label – report from the European Commission • Accession criteria (postponed) www.ehea.info

6. The 2012 Bucharest Ministerial Conference and Bologna Policy Forum (27-28th of April) • Q: What do we know so far? • A: TETT (Too Early To Tell…) • Safe guesses or ongoing discussions: • the two events might be intertwined, both in terms of schedule and content; • there will be only one! • One Report regarding the implementation of the Bologna Process (EUROSTAT, EURYDICE, EUROSTUDENT) to be complemented by a special WG report for Transparency Mechanisms and by the EHEA Mobility Strategy; • possible input from the research community doing work on the Bologna Process (tbc). www.ehea.info

7. Policy trends as perceived by the speaker • Move from policy making at the European level to focus on implementation at the institutional level; • More attention given to composite priorities (SCL, RPL, LLL), that need a certain level of “structural” Bologna changes in place. • “Flirting” with previously off-limits areas such as funding and transparency mechanisms; • A certain political realisation of the fact that the implementation process has not been perfect over the past decade and that things might need to be rethought or re-implemented: • “While much has been achieved in implementing the Bologna reforms, the reports also illustrate that EHEA action lines such as degree and curriculum reform, quality assurance, recognition, mobility and the social dimension are implemented to varying degrees. Recent protests in some countries, partly directed against developments and measures not related to the Bologna Process, have reminded us that some of the Bologna aims and reforms have not been properly implemented and explained. We acknowledge and will listen to the critical voices raised among staff and students. We note that adjustments and further work, involving staff and students, are necessary at European, national, and especially institutional levels to achieve the European Higher Education Area as we envisage it.” (Budapest and Vienna Statement 2010) www.ehea.info

8. Ireland and institutional implementation • Current areas of activity for the Irish Bologna Experts: • Dissemination of the relevance of the Bologna Process and related Irish policy developments to Irish higher education institutions; • Promotion of quality assurance; • Promotion of knowledge and understanding of qualifications frameworks; • Promotion of ECTS and Diploma Supplement. Relevant questions: • What is the focus of the Irish institutional level implementation? • Is it related mainly to the EHEA priority areas in which there was already a degree of progress within the Irish context (QF, QA, recognition with its underpinning tools: ECTS, DS)? • What about social dimension for example? Or mobility in the frame of the internationalisation debate? Or the overarching concept of student centered learning in an era of financial and demograhic challenges? 2. Would it be necessary to have additional support structures for both the national level and the European level Bologna Process 2nd phase? www.ehea.info

9. Thank you! www.ehea.info