Lars Ekholm

The Bologna Process 1999 - 2006, and beyond: 

The Bologna Process 1999 - 2006, and beyond A general European perspective, with some links to Sweden Outline of the presentation - Bologna basics - From political initiative to academic involvement and student participation - “Bologna process Europe” at a glance

The Bologna Process 1999 - 2006, and beyond (cont´d): 

The Bologna Process 1999 - 2006, and beyond (cont´d) - “Bologna Process Sweden” at a glance - National interpretations of the Bologna process - Present focus Personal background: Sweden and Europe

Bologna Basics: 

Bologna Basics Sorbonne 1998 (Fr, It, UK, Germ) Summits with communiqués: Bologna 1999 (29) Prague 2001 Berlin 2003 Bergen 2005 (44) Mid-term Stock-taking, new goals

Bologna Basics (cont´d): 

Bologna Basics (cont´d) European Higher Education Area by 2010 Goals - Promote mobility - Promote employability - Promote European higher education competitiveness

Bologna Basics (cont´d): 

Bologna Basics (cont´d) Means - Transparent and comparable degree structure - Two/three cycles (B, M, D) - Credit system, such as ECTS - Remove obstacles to mobility - Co-operation in quality assurance - European dimension

From Political Initiative to Academic Involvement and Student Participation: 

From Political Initiative to Academic Involvement and Student Participation Started as a political process Universities and other higher education institutions came on to the scene by and by Students have actively taken part during the last few years Employers, unions?

From Political Initiative to Academic Involvement and Student Participation (cont´d): 

From Political Initiative to Academic Involvement and Student Participation (cont´d) Is the Bologna Process a failure or a success? Basically a success, but why? Not a top-down process, but voluntary participation among signatories. No treaties The relationship between the Bologna process and the European Union

Bologna Europe at a Glance: 

Bologna Europe at a Glance Most countries have a two-cycle system in place Much is left in terms of curricular development and change of contents In some countries there is a co-ordination group by subjects, helpful in curricular development Most staff are positive to problem-based learning and student-oriented approach

Bologna Europe at a Glance (cont´d): 

Bologna Europe at a Glance (cont´d) Bachelors: 3, 3½ or 4 years Some academics think 3 years are insufficient, tendency to cram 4 into 3, 5 into 4 years Employability: Labour market acceptance varies very much One-size-fits-all syndrom

Bologna Europe at a Glance (cont´d): 

Bologna Europe at a Glance (cont´d) Tendency to establish too many Master courses, no institutional strategy Modularisation in progress, but different interpretations Governments provide no or little money for reform work

Bologna Sweden at a Glance: 

Bologna Sweden at a Glance Sweden very slow in adapting its structure, by a bill 2006; start in 2007 Non-professional programs: Bachelor no problem, ”magister” and Master the problem. A research-oriented Master of two years something new in Sweden Credit system since long ECTS as a grading scale: Hot debate, very much on national lines

Bologna Sweden at a Glance (cont´d): 

Bologna Sweden at a Glance (cont´d) By tradition fairly good links between institutions and labour market Quality assurance system in place By international standards reasonably well organised research training Strong point: Students go with their study allowances abroad

National Interpretations of the Bologna Process: 

National Interpretations of the Bologna Process It is striking how in many countries the Bologna concept is given different interpretations. Also: National reforms linked to Bologna Examples from the Nordic countries: Sweden/ECTS; Norway´s Quality Reform; Finland/employability

National Interpretations of the Bologna Process (cont´d): 

National Interpretations of the Bologna Process (cont´d) The Bologna Process as a lever or instrument for (other) reforms Is this acceptable or not? Harmonization or standardization?

Present Focus: 

Present Focus In sum: The infrastructure is in place, now come the contents Learning outcomes Quality assurance Research training (soon to come) Beyond 2010: Links to European Research Area