BALANCE – Bologna:
A long-term Approach to New
Certification in Europe
15 – 17 October 2008
University of Graz, Austria
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„The Bologna Effects in Austria and
in South Eastern Europe “
Barbara Weitgruber
Austrian Federal Ministry of
Science and Research
Chair of the Bologna Working Group
„European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in a
Global Setting“
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The Bologna Effects in Austria
Austrian Higher Education System:
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22 Public Universities
24 Universities of Applied Sciences
12 Private Universities
17 University Colleges of Education
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The Bologna Effects in Austria
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General Remarks:
Driving force for reforms in higher education
in Austria
Legal framework for the implementation of
the Bologna objectives at the level of Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs):
In general in place
“Fine-tuning” to follow
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The Bologna Effects in Austria
National Policy Measures:
 Establishment of an Austrian Agency
for Quality Assurance
 Ratification of the Lisbon Recognition
Convention
 Portability of needs-based grants
 Special Programs to support the
development of Joint Degree Programs
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The Bologna Effects in Austria
National Policy Measures (continued):
 Special support for mobility programs
 Establishment of an Agency for
International Cooperation in Education
and Research
 National Qualifications Framework:
work in progress (to be completed by
2010)
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The Bologna Effects in Austria
National Bologna Follow-up Group:
 Membership:
 relevant stakeholders (close cooperation of
government, HEIs, students, social partners)
 Main Task:
 Preparation of Austrian Contributions
(National Reports) and positions on the
European Level, e.g. for the Bologna Followup Group and Ministers´ Conferences
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The Bologna Effects
in South Eastern Europe
Bologna Process:
 Key driver for rebuilding and
reinvigorating HE systems (esp. for all
independent states emerging from
former Yugoslavia)
 “European Perspective” & a concrete
step towards European integration
 Relevance for the European Union
Accession Process
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The Bologna Effects
in South Eastern Europe
Overview of challenges (Data from
2007; TRENDS V Report/ European
University Association):
Major Challenge: Faculty
independence; no “integrated”
University
Lack of coherent implementation of
reforms
Progress: slow and difficult to sustain
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The Bologna Effects
in South Eastern Europe
Overview of challenges (continued):
Reforms on a superficial level (e.g.
ECTS introduced, but based on existing
model of teaching and learning)
Student involvement lower than in
other regions of the EHEA
Not (yet) enough regional cooperation
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Outlook: Challenges for the EHEA
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EHEA: 46 countries and all their HEIs
Many objectives to be implemented in
a coherent way
Growing interest in the Bologna
Process/EHEA in many parts of the
world
High expectations – Bologna beyond
2010
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“The EHEA in a Global Setting”
Strategy "The European Higher
Education Area in a Global Setting“:
adopted in 2007
Five core policy areas:
improving information on, and
promoting the attractiveness and
competitiveness of the EHEA;
strengthening cooperation based on
partnership; intensifying policy
dialogue; and improving recognition.
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“The EHEA in a Global Setting”
Information: Bologna Website: up-date
& extension; Bologna leaflet
 Promotion: not yet widespread
 Cooperation: common practice for HEIs
 Recognition: important issue, ENIC and
NARIC Networks‘ Working Group
 Policy Dialogue: on-going, but to be
enhanced
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Outlook: Challenges for the
EHEA
„Bologna beyond 2010“:
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Finalising the initial agenda
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Providing European answers to global
challenges: Contribution of European
higher education to the global public
good
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For Further Information:
European Bologna Website:
www.bologna2009benelux.org
Austrian Bologna Website:
www.bologna.at
Thank you for your attention!
[email protected]
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