Implementing the Bologna Reforms in Universities: Achievements,
Challenges and Priorities for the Future
Lesley Wilson, Secretary General
European University Association
Implementation of Bologna Process in Turkey
Galatasaray University
15 June 2011
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Introduction to EUA800 individual universities 34 national Rectors’
ConferencesAssociated university
networks + organisations in 47 European countries
EUA - « the Voice of European Universities«
1. EUA’s mandate
• As the voice of European universities - 34 national Rectors’ Conferences & over 800 universities EUA: Supports & takes forward the interests of individual
institutions & the higher education sector as a whole Promotes common policies that help universities to
contribute to building a knowledge based society Ensures that the voice of universities is heard in
policy debates concerning the sector Strengthens the governance, leadership and
management of institutions
2. Context setting: the last decade
• Global competition, specific European trends:Continued massification: overall participation
rates are up by 25% on average (1998 - 2006) Many countries facing demographic challenges
European Policies: Bologna, Lisbon & the European Research Area, a Modernisation Agenda for Universities,
Massive change across HE systems, with multiple reforms in parallel
• The size and shape of systems are changing
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The metamorphosis of European HE
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3. The present context – economic crisis
• All higher education systems face the challenge of designing sustainable funding models
• The impact of the economic crisis on HE systems in Europe is increasingly being felt
• The current financial crisis is not the only crisis facing European universities. European decision-making has become more difficult -
national interests have grown in importance relative to those of the EU as a whole
European level higher education and research policies resulted in a period of intense reforms over the past ten years but will this continue in the future?
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4. TRENDS 2010 and the further implementation of the Bologna Process
reforms
TRENDS 2010 - four interconnected challenges • Reaching a common understanding of the type of
European Citizens we need for the 21st Century: ensuring lifelong access to learning
• Creating a partnership to support quality, creativity and innovation
• Building a European Knowledge Area• Strengthening a European higher education
identity in the world
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5. European Citizens for the 21 Century: Lifelong access to learning
• Taking account of all the different purposes of the university and reshaping learning accordingly
• For universities this means growing institutional diversification and more focused institutional missions
• More specifically, mainstreaming lifelong learning (improving access & participation, student-centred learning, student services etc.)
Examples of EUA priorities 2011/2012• Implementing the European Universities’ Charter on
LLL through projects: Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies (SIRUS); TRACK-IT
6. A partnership to support quality, creativity and innovation
• Stress on indicators should not overshadow the importance of balancing improvement and accountability, quality measurement & assurance
• Articulation between internal & external QA is crucial• Rankings and classifications are not quality assurance
toolsExamples of EUA priorities 2011/2012• Continuing to promote Institutional Quality
Management through the IEP• Analysing the application and implementation of the
ESGs in institutions (MAP-ESG)
7. The European Knowledge Area
• Strengthening the links between the European Higher Education and Research Areas
• Key importance of doctoral education and the training of young researchers, and of providing innovative research environments
• Good doctoral education requires also excellent undergraduate programmes
Examples of EUA activities 2011/2012priorities:• Implementing the Salzburg II Principles on Doctoral
education (2010) • Further developing the EUA Council for Doctoral
Education (EUA-CDE)
8. A European HE identity in the world
• Growing importance of global interaction in response to shared global challenges = cooperation and competition
• European HE has gained international visibility but there is little joint cooperation outside Europe - each country has its own strategy & funding
• Nevertheless universities have a vital role to play in realising the EU’s external action portfolio
EUA’s global dialogue priorities for 2011/2012:• Cooperation with Africa, Latin America, US & Canada,
and Asia through a range of projects (Access to Success, Quality Connect, Co-Doc, Alfa Puentes)
9. Ensuring the Right Framework Conditions
• Increased and improved autonomy• Sustainable funding• Attention accorded to leadership and professional
development at senior level in universities
Examples of EUA activities 2011/2012:• A-CARD – developing an Autonomy Scorecard • Promoting the introduction of full costing in
universities (EUIMA "Take-Up" activities) • EUDIS: European Universities - Diversifying income
streams for sustainable institutions
10. In Conclusion - Questions for Discussion
• How to maintain the momentum for reform, especially the improvement of undergraduate education, at a time of severe financial hardship in many countries?
• There is a growing emphasis on metrics: bench- marking, classifying & ranking - Important, but not the answer – not only what can be measured is important?
• With the pie getting smaller & competition growing, will resources go increasingly to a small number of HEIs?
Thank you for your attention
For more information onEUA policies, projects and publications
visit:
www.eua.be
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