Higher Education and Research

Council of EuropeSeptember 2006

Responding to changes Need for

Better trained and educated work force – mass universities Competition for scarcer public resources – steering by economics More transparency and comparability – mobility Competitive research results – knowledge society Stronger position in the international context – internationalisation and

income generation Social cohesion in socially, culturally and linguistically diverse societies Peaceful and stable democratic societies …

While respecting and promoting the multiple mission of higher education preparation for the labour market preparation for life as active citizens in democratic societies personal development development and maintenance of an advanced knowledge base in a

broad area of academic disciplines

Higher education policy platform In the framework of the European Cultural

Convention Steering Committee (CDESR) – Public authorities

(ministries responsible for higher education), higher education institutions and their associations, students’ and other professional associations

Work in cooperation To better understand each others’ situation and

identify (common) answers to the challenges Resulting in publications, guidelines,

recommendations, conventions

Beneficiaries – youth and society in general

Main current areas of activities The European Higher Education Area

(EHEA)/ Bologna Process Recognition of qualifications Public responsibility for higher

education and research Higher Education Governance Bilateral and regional cooperation and

assistance

EHEA 2010/ Bologna Process Adapting Higher Education and Research to changes in society and

new needs Cooperation of 45 countries (ministries, professional associations,

international organisations and NGOs) increase mobility, transparency, attractiveness, competitiveness facilitate recognition reform structures (degree structure, governance, diversity of

learning paths…) quality assurance qualifications frameworks

Future concerns Implementation Sustainability External dimension

The Council of Europe’s contribution The Council of Europe is

Consultative member in steering bodies and active in working groups, contributions to seminars and conferences

One of the most important providers of input to the process and policy discussions in it

Focus on Recognition Bilateral and regional support Public responsibility Governance Social dimension Multiple mission of Higher Education and Research

Recognition of qualifications Lisbon Recognition Convention of the Council of Europe/

UNESCO, 1997 (ETS 165) Enable people to move between countries without loss of value of

own qualification Offer right to fair assessment Recognition unless substantial difference (partial recognition) Diploma supplement and ECTS

Only accepted legal text in the framework of the EHEA

Essentials and future concerns: Political will, mutual trust in quality, description of learning outcomes

42 countries, network of national information centres, adoption of subsidiary texts

Public responsibilityfor Higher Education and Research

A cornerstone of European university heritage

Adaptation to today’s society Levels of public responsibility

Exclusive Leading Substantial

The Public Responsibility for Higher Education and Research (published spring 2005)

Recommendation under discussion

Higher education governance Successful implementation of change needs adapted governance structures,

procedures and culture

Good governance in higher education a method

to reach agreement on objectives and orientations (fitness of purpose) to develop strategies and instruments to implement them in practice (fitness

for purpose) a space of negotiation of interests respecting the multiple mission of higher

education in the best interest of the whole society a participative process and model of/ preparation for life as an active citizen in a

democratic society; inclusive, cohesive transparent in procedures and tasks able to reach, win acceptance for and implement decisions (legitimacy and

efficiency) flexible to adapt to diverse contexts on the basis of common principles

Legal provisions for and redefinition of autonomy Who is autonomous with regard to whom? Autonomy for what? Autonomy to which extent?

Bilateral and regional cooperation Assistance in higher

education legislation and reform

Support integration in European Higher Education Area

Focus: South East Europe, Eastern Europe.

Through Expert advice and

support National seminars and

conferences Regional seminars

2006, among others: Albania Bosnia and

Herzegovina The Former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia Serbia Russia

2006 and beyond Forum June 2006

The Responsibility of Higher Education for Democratic Culture

Building on and further developing the work on public responsibility and governance

Forum September 2006 The Legitimacy of Quality Assurance in Higher Education:

the role of public authorities and institutions

New projects in preparation The University between Humanism and Market: redefining

its values and functions for the 21st century University network on intercultural dialogue

Recent publications Higher education governance

between democratic culture, academic aspirations and market forces (Council of Europe higher education series No.5) 92-871-5957-2 Jürgen Kohler, Josef Huber and Sjur Bergan (eds)

Recognition in the Bologna Process: policy development and the road to good practice (Council of Europe higher education series No.4) 92-871-6007-4 Sjur Bergan and Andrejs Rauhvargers (eds)

Standards for recognition: the Lisbon Recognition Convention and its subsidiary texts (Council of Europe higher education series No. 3) 92-871-5903-3 Sjur Bergan and Andrejs Rauhvargers (eds) For more information: http://www.coe.int/T/DG4/HigherEducation/Resources/HEseries_en.asp

Key links Council of Europe Higher Education and

Research http://www.coe.int/higher-education

The Lisbon Recognition Convention http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/

QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=165&CM=1&DF=16/11/2005&CL=ENG

UK Bologna Secretariat web site http://www.dfes.gov.uk/bologna/

Bologna-Bergen web site http://www.bologna-bergen2005.no/

Summary CDESR – double representation: ministry officials and

representatives of higher education institutions – policy debate and orientation

Forum Series - platform for high-level policy debate

Publication Series - to reflect and contribute to the debate

Web site - a service and reference point for information

http://www.coe.int/higher-education