A quick overview of development

1. Recognition in the EHEA
An overview of HE reform in Europe
Dr Justin Fenech FAIRE
Anthony F. Camilleri
www.KIC-malta.com Coimbra – Portugal

2. What is the
Bologna Process?
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3. The Bologna Process
Origin: 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. 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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8.  The Positives of the Bologna
Process
•
•
•
•
Collaborative
Inter-governmental
Strong stakeholder involvement
Based on a vision of borderless education
+
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9.  The Negatives of the Bologna Process
• Non-Binding
• Mis-implemented and misunderstood
• Does not deal with important issues
• Employability
• Funding
-
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10. Bologna Process
Concepts
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11. 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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12. 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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13. 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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14. Theoretically...
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.
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15. How it all fits together
An evolving picture of portable
qualifications in Europe
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16. University
Work
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University
?

17. 3 yrs 3 yrs
Work
Dott. equivalent? Bacc.
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18. 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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19. EQF
Dott. Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5 Work
Level 6
Bacc. Level 7
Level 8 equivalent
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20. What did you
study?
I studied EQF 6
engineering at I studied EQF 6
Coimbra engineering at
Msida
equivalent?
Work
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DS DS

21. Diploma A collection
Supplement of credits
Credit
Learning Outcomes Level
Described in terms of: Estimated using:
Knowledge
Skills Workload
Attitude
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22. But, is this is a
quality university
qualification?
What did you
study?
I studied EQF 6
engineering at I studied EQF 6
Coimbra engineering at
Msida
equivalent
Work
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DS DS

23. European Standards and Guidelines
University University
for Quality Assurance
Internal QA Internal QA
National Agency National Agency
External QA External QA
eqar
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24. 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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25. University
University University
credits
Portable qualifications means you can use
them anywhere within the European Higher
Education Area
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26. Bologna Process
Implementation
Reform of
Degree Structure
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28. Bologna Process
Implementation
Qualification
Framework
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31. Bologna Process
Implementation
Quality Assurance
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35. Bologna Process
Implementation
Diploma Supplement
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38. Bologna Process
Implementation
ECTS
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40. The Bologna Process
European Student Position
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42. www.KIC-malta.com

43. Obrigado!
Thank-you for your attention
Questions?
Dr Justin Fenech (justin@kic-malta.com)
Anthony F. Camilleri (anthony@kic-malta.com)
www.KIC-malta.com