Transcript Kein Folientitel - Welcome to The EAN

EAN CONFERENCE
June 30 – July 2, 2008, Berlin
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„Challenges for Europe:
European Higher Education
in a Global Setting“
Barbara Weitgruber
Austrian Federal Ministry
of Science and Research
Chair of the Bologna Working Group
„EHEA in a Global Setting“
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Context: The Bologna Process
Overarching aim:
 A European Higher Education Area (EHEA);
internationally competitive and attractive
How?
 By facilitating greater comparability and
compatibility between the diverse HE
systems and institutions across Europe and
by enhancing their quality
 In close cooperation of governments, HEI,
students and other stakeholders
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Members in the Bologna Process
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46 countries
European Commission
8 consultative members: EUA (European
University Association), EURASHE (The
European Association of Institutions in HE),
ESU (European Students´ Union), Council of
Europe, UNESCO-CEPES (The European
Center for Higher Education), ENQA
(European Association for Quality Assurance
in Higher Education), BUSINESSEUROPE;
Education International – Pan-European
Structure
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Sweeping Reforms in HE
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Easily readable and comparable degrees:
a qualifications framework of three cycles
Three cycles: Bachelor - Master – PhD (each
cycle relevant to labour market →
employability)
Joint degrees (European dimension)
National qualifications framework: describe
what learners should know, understand and
be able to do
National framework <-> European framework
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Sweeping Reforms in HE
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Recognition of Qualifications: Lisbon
Recognition Convention; National
Information Centres
Transparency tools: ECTS (European Credit
Transfer and Accumulation System) and
Diploma Supplement
European Quality Assurance Register for
Higher Education & European standards and
guidelines for Quality Assurance in HE
Lifelong Learning: inherent in all aspects
(flexible learning paths, recognition of prior
learning . . .)
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Sweeping Reforms in HE
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Mobility of students and staff: core
objective; part of HE culture; many
obstacles remain
Global Context:
-> Growing interest world-wide
-> Strategy adopted by ministers
-> Policy Areas: improving information on,
and promoting the attractiveness &
competitiveness of the EHEA; strengthening
cooperation based on partnership;
intensifying policy dialogue and improving
recognition of qualifications
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The Social Dimension
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“ We strive for the societal goal that the
student body entering, participating in and
completing HE should reflect the diversity of
our populations. We therefore pledge to take
action to widen participation at all levels on
the basis of equal opportunities.” (London,
2007)
No narrow definition of social cohesion!
Important: to improve availability of data on
the social dimension across all the countries
participating in the Bologna Process
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The Social Dimension
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2009: Report on national strategies and
policies for the social dimension, including
national action plans
Measures
-> to promote equal opportunities (access,
participation and completion)
-> to widen access to/participation in HE for
underrepresented groups
-> to enhance the study experience
-> to increase formal and actual student
influence on and participation in HE
governance
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European Higher Education
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Academic Values: institutional autonomy,
academic freedom, democratic principles
and equal opportunities
HEI: enrich and transmit traditions and
cultural heritage to succeeding generations
HEI: important role in European integration &
in building a knowledge society
EHEA: based on cooperation and solidarity
European contribution to the global public
good
European answers to global challenges
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European Higher Education Area
“Building on our rich and diverse European
cultural heritage, we are developing an EHEA
based on institutional autonomy, academic
freedom, equal opportunities and democratic
principles that will facilitate mobility,
increase employability and strengthen
Europe’s attractiveness and
competitiveness."
Ministers responsible for Higher Education in
the countries participating in the Bologna
Process,
London Communiqué, May 2007
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For Further Information:
European Bologna Website:
www.bologna2009benelux.org
Thank you for your attention!
[email protected]
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