Lene Oftedal, Ruard Wallis de VriesEuropean CommissionOslo 06.06.2011

Bologna experts – challenges and Bologna experts – challenges and expectationsexpectations

2

1. The Challenges for Higher Education2. The Policy Context3. National teams of Bologna experts 4. The trainings 5. Conclusions

Outline presentation

Challenges for Higher Education

• Access, participation and successful completion of studies

• Deliver high quality education and research• Need to improve tranversal skills (critical thinking

creativity, entrepeneurial skills, flexibility, language skills

• Need to improve the knowledge triangle to obtain excellence

Challenges cont.

• Deliver high quality education and research• Massification• Graduate unemployability• International cooperation• Increase Learning Mobility• Equality of opportunities in higher education

Europe2020 benchmarks

Early School Leaving

Higher Education Attainment (Age 30-34)

2008 2020

14.9%

10% at most

2008 2020

33%

40% at least

Source: DG Education and Culture – Data source: Eurostat (LFS)Note: Croatia: 2002 instead of 2000. Luxembourg and Malta: 2010 data is provisional

47,3

40,9

22,6

18,1

18,6

19,8

22,1

23,5

23,5

25,7

27,7

28,4

29,8

32,3

33,6

34,8

35,3

40,0

40,6

41,4

43,0

43,5

43,8

44,4

45,1

45,7

45,8

46,1

47,0

49,9

37,3

32,6

8,9

7,4

11,6

13,7

10,6

11,3

15,9

14,8

19,5

25,4

25,7

18,6

22,4

18,5

12,5

30,8

29,2

26,5

29,0

27,4

42,6

35,2

31,1

40,3

31,8

21,2

32,1

27,5

15.5

20,4

(:)

16.2

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Norway

Turkey

Iceland

Croatia

Romania

Malta

Italy

Czech Republic

Slovakia

Portugal

Austria

Hungary

Bulgaria

Greece

Germany

Latvia

EU 27

Slovenia

Poland

Estonia

Spain

Netherlands

United Kingdom

France

Lithuania

Belgium

Cyprus

Finland

Sweden

Luxembourg

Denmark

Ireland

(%)

2000

2010

Ben

chm

ark

2020

8

• Europe2020

• The Bologna Process

• Education&Training 2020

• Modernisation of Higher Education

European Policy Context

European tools

• Open Method of Coordination

• Programmes – LLP, Erasmus Mundus, Marie Curie (FP7)

• Transparency tools : European Credit and Transfer System and Diploma Supplement – ECTS & DS, rankings

• EU plays facilitating, agenda-setting and benchmarking role

• NAs to coordinate the national teams

• Bologna experts – executive role

National Teams of Bologna experts

• Since 2004• Actors: the Commission, the LLP National

Authorities, the LLP NA, the Bologna Experts • Based on: the Lifelong Learning Programme, the

Invitation to submit, National Applications, Activity Plans

• Co-financing: Activity Plans up to 90% co-financed by the EU Commission

• Purpose, framework, tasks, profile

National Teams of Bologna experts

Purpose• to provide a pool of expertise to promote and

enhance progress toward higher education reform in the LLP countries.

• The Activity Plan for the National Teams will make sure that all those involved in Higher Education on a national level benefit from the pan-European

nature of these reforms.

National Teams of Bologna experts

Framework

• Category I: Implementing the Bologna Process reforms

and/or• Category II: Promoting European Union initiatives

and programmes in the field of higher education, and in relation to the Bologna Process

National Teams of Bologna experts

Tasks - At national level. Priorities:• promoting the use of Bologna-approved tools of

recognition, such as ECTS, the Diploma Supplement and the Learning Agreement. This includes assistance in the preparation and assessment of ECTS and DS labels applications.

• assistance in setting up National Qualification Frameworks.

• assistance to higher education institutions in setting up internal quality assurance systems at HEI level.

National Teams of Bologna experts

Tasks - at international level. • Participate in European training events • Invite Bologna Experts from other National Teams

to provide advice and assistance• Organisation of events involving Bologna Experts

from various countries• ECTS visits : Bologna Experts from other National

Teams may be invited to advise higher education institutions on the correct implementation of ECTS.

National Teams of Bologna experts

Profile• “peer-to-peer” exercise. • Bologna Experts are professionals active in higher

education advising their colleagues on how best to introduce higher education reforms.

• The Experts do not replace the work done by Ministries …

• Balanced team, covering Bologna priorities. Students

National Teams of Bologna experts

Profile - Members of the National Team are to hold one of the following positions (or a combination thereof):

• (Vice-)Rectors• Deans• Senior Academics• Directors of Study• International Relations Officers• Higher Education Experts

Bologna experts’ training

• Learn more about keys issues• Discuss with and learn from peers• Get inspired• Active participation• Bring knowledge back home to be a better

activist for reforming higher education

What’s next

• 2 more years with the Higher Education Reform Project/National teams of Bologna experts – 2012-2013

• Training in focus areas to improve mobility, recognition, social dimension

• Implementation of ECTS and DS • Communication on Modernisation of Higher

Education (autumn 2011) and Bologna 2012 Communiqué will be agenda setting

Thank you for your attention !

Please, feel free to contact us :Lene.oftedal@ec.europa.euRuard.wallis-de-vries@ec.europa.eu

and read more on DG EAC’s website:http://ec.europa.eu/education/index_en.htm