Europe must continue higher education reforms to modernise and increase quality
A report presented today by the European Commission shows that countries still face challenges in modernising higher education, a decade after the launch of a blueprint for reform known as the 'Bologna Process'. The report, based on data provided by the 46 countries participating in the Process, shows that the economic crisis has affected higher education in different ways, with some countries investing more and others making radical cutbacks in spending.
The report 'Focus on Higher Education in Europe 2010: The impact of the Bologna Process' will be discussed at the Conference of European Higher Education Ministers, which takes place in Budapest on 11 March and in Vienna on 12 March.Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, said: 'The last decade has brought about major expansion in higher education systems, accompanied by significant reforms in degree structures and quality assurance systems. We must continue to modernise and increase the quality of higher education, as well as making it more affordable for citizens. The new Europe 2020 Strategy will provide further impetus for this, in particular by encouraging measures which aim to increase the number of graduates from less than a third to at least 40% of the population.'
Bologna Process has achieved main targets, says study
Focus on Higher Education in Europe 2010: The impact of the Bologna Process, a report produced for the Commission by the Eurydice Network, shows that the Bologna Process has largely met its initial objectives, thanks to a joint approach which has delivered more than would have been the case if countries had acted separately.The three-cycle degree system and higher quality standards are now the norm across Europe, although recognition of qualifications is still a problem in some cases.
To know more
- Full Commission press release
(IP/10/246, 8 March 2010) - European Commission: Memo "Focus on higher education in Europe 2010: New report on the impact of the Bologna Process"
- Full report: Focus on Higher Education in Europe 2010: The impact of the Bologna Process
- On the Bologna Process
- "The EU's contribution to the European Higher Education Area "
- On the forthcoming Ministerial Conference in Budapest and Vienna
- On the EU's education policies and programmes
