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

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www.eua.be