Transcript Why did Ireland develop an NFQ?

European Higher Education and
the Bologna Process
Dr Frank McMahon
Director of Academic Affairs
Dublin Institute of Technology
Lecture at University of Connecticut
August 2010
Commencement
• Bologna Declaration signed in June 1999
by Ministers for Education of 29 countries
• Included all EU countries (then 15)
• Overall aim was a coherent European
Higher Education Area by 2010
• Although noting the autonomy of
universities, this was a reform process led
by Ministers
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Objectives
• A system of easily readable and
comparable degrees
• Adoption of system based on two cycles,
undergraduate and graduate
• A system of credits such as ECTS
• Promotion of mobility
• European co-operation in QA
• Promotion of European Dimension in HE
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Other Objectives
• Introduction of shorter cycle Bachelor
degrees in countries where they were not
a feature e.g. Germany, Italy
• Improved competitive position vis a vis
USA in attracting non-European students
• Bachelor degree to be relevant to
European labour market
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Prague Communique, 2001
• Now 32 countries in process
• Three new points added:
- Need for Lifelong Learning Policies
- Role of students and student representative
bodies
- Importance of enhancing attractiveness of
European HE to students from Europe and
other parts of world
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Berlin Communique, 2003
• Membership now 40 countries including
Russia
• Set objectives for next 2 years for:
- Quality Assurance
- Degree Structure: all countries to
have 2-cycle system by 2005
- Diploma Supplement to be issued
to all
• Recognised Doctoral level as 3rd Cycle
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Bergen Communique, 2005
• Five new members, total now 45
• Commitment to adoption of national
frameworks of qualifications by 2010
• Adoption of standards and guidelines for
QA
• Urged action on recognition of degrees
and study periods
• Emphasised importance of research and
structured doctoral programmes
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London Communique, 2007
• Reviewed progress on mobility, degree
structure, recognition, Qualification
Frameworks (latter to be completed by 2010)
• Sought to align Bologna with ERA
• Set priorities for 2007-09 to complete 3-cycle
system, QA and recognition
• Requested more work on data collection,
mobility, employability and stock-taking
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Louvain-la-Neuve, 2009
• 46 countries participated
• Delegates from 15 non-participating countries
included China, Japan, USA.
• Emphasised need to widen participation in
HE via Lifelong Learning including part-time
studies and WBL
• Development of NFQ and compatibility with
over-arching Framework by 2012
• In 2020, at least 20% of graduates to have
studied abroad
• Next meetings Bucharest 2012 then 2015,
2018, 2020
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Budapest Vienna Declaration 2010
• Welcomed Kazakhstan as new member
• Launched the EHEA as envisaged in Bologna
Declaration
• Cited Bologna Process as an unprecedented example of
regional, cross-border cooperation in higher education
that made European Higher Education more visible on
global map.
• Recommitted to academic freedom as well autonomy
and accountability as principles of EHEA.
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Budapest Vienna Declaration 2010
• Acknowledge the key role of institutional leaders and
teachers, researchers and administrative staff and students in
making EHEA a reality. They fully supported staff and student
participation in decision-making structures.
• Re-affirmed that higher education is a public responsibility
and is a major driver for social and economic development
and for innovation.
• Asked the Bologna Follow-Up Group to propose measures to
facilitate full implementation of Bologna principles including
peer learning and study visits.
• New website www.ehea/info/
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The National Framework of Qualifications –
award-types and awarding bodies
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Titles of Awards
Level
10 – Doctoral Degree
9 – Masters Degree & Post-graduate Diploma
8 – Honours Bachelor Degree & Higher Diploma
7 – Ordinary Bachelor Degree
6 – Advanced Certificate & Higher Certificate
5 – Level 5 Certificate
4/5 – Leaving Certificate
4 – Level 4 Certificate
3 – Level 3 Certificate & Junior Certificate
2 – Level 2 Certificate
1 – Level 1 Certificate
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National Framework
• Responsibility for its development and maintenance was entrusted
to a national authority which enjoyed the confidence of the major
providers, awarding bodies, employers and learners
• A highly consultative approach was adopted, inviting submissions
from interested parties and publishing those submissions on an
interactive website
• The framework encompassed all awards in education and training,
not just higher education awards
• There was no distinction between education awards and training
awards
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National Framework (continued)
• Awards are based on learning outcomes achieved (knowledge, skill
and competence) rather than on a “time served” basis
• Ideally, awards of professional bodies should be included in the
framework alongside the awards of universities and other education
and training award bodies
• Historic awards as well as current awards should be placed in the
framework (this work is in progress)
• A programme of publicising the framework was embarked upon to
ensure employers and learners become familiar with the framework
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Framework – a blueprint for change
• The Irish framework introduced a new concept of an
“award” in which an award is a recognition of learning
outcomes (rather than a recognition of participation in a
programme or any particular learning process)
• Many new awards were introduced, with new titles and
new terminology
• The framework was not just a compendium of existing
awards
• The framework was not just a mapping of relationships
between existing awards
• No distinction was made between “education” and
“training”
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Bologna Process
Advantages of Bologna for Individuals
• The Bologna Process will improve student and staff opportunities for
personal growth through increased travel to partner universities in
other European countries
• Through increased mobility, individuals will gain insight into new
cultures, acquire language skills and adaptability which will improve
their chances of gaining employment in the European labour market
• The development of national frameworks of qualifications and
recognition of awards of other countries will aid mobility of graduates
• It helps to develop networks between staff and students across
Europe, improving relations and developing friendships
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Bologna Process
Advantages of Bologna for Individuals (continued)
• More compatible modules will become available to improve studying
opportunities at other universities
• A standard approach to quality assurance will be adopted
• ECTS credits will be used in almost every European country
• Standardised student transcripts (“Diploma Supplements”) will be
issued to all graduates
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Bologna Process
Advantages of Bologna for Universities
• European Higher Education will become more attractive in a global
market and will help Higher Education Institutions to compete
globally
• A standardised approach will provide the opportunity to strengthen
quality assurance in Higher Education Institutions
• It will help to improve the development of European networks and
help to build relationships with other universities in Europe
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Bologna Process
Advantages of Bologna for Universities (continued)
• It offers greater mobility opportunities for staff and students
• It improves the opportunity to create partnerships at other
universities
• Use of ECTS and development of compatible framework will
facilitate the recruitment of students from other European countries
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USEFUL WEBSITES
www.ehea.info
(Information on Bologna Process)
www.eurydice.org
(information on education systems and policies in Europe)
www.nqai.ie
(Ireland’s national qualifications authority & framework of awards)
www.dit.ie
(Dublin Institute of Technology)
www.hea.ie
(Higher Education Authority, Ireland)
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Participating countries and organisations
Participating countries
Albania
Germany
Norway
Andorra
Greece
Poland
Armenia
Holy See
Portugal
Austria
Hungary
Romania
Azerbaijan
Iceland
Russian Federation
Belgium
Ireland
Serbia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Italy
Slovak Republic
Bulgaria
Kazakhstan
Slovenia
Croatia
Latvia
Spain
Cyprus
Liechtenstein
Sweden
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Switzerland
Denmark
Luxembourg
"the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia"
Estonia
Malta
Turkey
Finland
Moldova
Ukraine
France
Montenegro
United Kingdom
Georgia
Netherlands
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Questions
[email protected]