Slovakia and the Bologna process

Impact and Experiencesprof. Libor Vozár

President of the Slovak Rector´s ConferenceRector of Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra

‘Expanding Europe’ Jubilee Rectors’ Conference11-15 October 2010, University of Pécs, Hungary

Important Dates/Measures• 1999

Milan Ftáčnik, Minister of Education, signs the Bologna declaration

• 2002Bologna principles have been introduced at HEIs in Slovakia through the Act 131/2002 about HE– re-accreditation of structured study programmes

(Bc, MSc./Ing. PhD.) – credit system– (deep reform of HE)

• 2004-2011 under Project/LLP/ErasmusNational team of Bologna promoters/experts

Important Dates/Measures• 2005-2007

Evaluation of Slovak HE sector performed by EUA via IEP

• 2009-2010Last graduates of old non-structured study programmes have been released

• 2009-2011Complex accreditation – diversification of HEIs

Basic Numbers• Population: 5.429.763 (June 2010)• Number of students: 230.127

FTE (149.600), PTE (80.527)• Number of HEIs: 33,

public (20), state (3), private (10)• Students

public & state (2/3) private (1/3)

Bratislava

Nitra

Banská BystricaKošice

Prešov

Trnava

Žilina

Trenčín

Zvolen

Liptovský Mikuláš

Ružomberok

Skalica

Komárno

Sládkovičovo

Dubnica nad Váhom

11 2 1 2

1

1

1

2 1 1

2 4

2

1 1

Landscape HEIs

Landscape - Students

Bratislava

Nitra

Banská BystricaKošice

Prešov

Trnava

Žilina

Trenčín

Zvolen

Liptovský Mikuláš

Ružomberok

Skalica

Komárno

Sládkovičovo

Dubnica nad Váhom

89.878

11.988

241

30.816

22.356

12.5827.730

4.325

2.548 2.856

4.948

14.118

1.015

9.607

15.119

Study Programmes and Recognition of Study• structured into 3 cycles – Bachelor (3 years),

Master/Ing.(2), PhD. (3)• exceptions – study programmes in medical and

pharmaceutical fields of study are constructed as a combination of the first and second level of higher education study into one unit

• System of the Fields of Study of Higher Education - defined and administered at national level

• Curricula – professional Bc./theory for MSc.• Qualification Framework

Implementation of Bologna Principles

Implementation of Bologna PrinciplesSystem of credits • European Credit System (ECTS) • Diploma supplement (free of charge) • ECTS/DS label – Slovak Agricultural University

in Nitra• Learning outcomesMobilities• no legal obstacles• support - Erasmus

Implementation of Bologna PrinciplesQuality assurance – complex accreditation• study programmes• awarding associate professor/professor• evaluation of research performance

(external process)• diversification of HEIs• ESG standardsEuropean dimension• Double Diploma Programmes• Joined Degree Programmes

Implementation of Bologna PrinciplesLLL• new legislation• further education is being started (pedagogical and

medical staff)Universities and Students• students – important part of Academic senates• Student Higher Education Council Doctoral studies and research• Slovak HEIs - Humbolt’s like complex institutions that

perform higher education in the close link with R&D (art) activities

• PhD. - scientific education in the past• strategies in R&D

Future

• New ruling coalition/goverment since june 2010

• Crisis – budget of public HEIs in 2011?• Too much HEIs• Too much research outside of HEIs• Public vs private HEIs – different interests • Expected decrease of population

Thank you for your attention