The Bologna Process: Implementational Issues UNICA Contributions

Major changes through Bologna From national systems to European convergence (degree structures) From teaching-centred to learning-centred - student workload (ECTS) - learning outcomes, modularisation From academic only to academic and employable

Major challenges Curriculum development - institutional (university) perspective - subject-specific perspective - student perspective Didactic changes (learner autonomy, individualised learning paths, …) Administrative changes

The UNICA contribution The Bologna Laboratory (since 2003) Joint Degree development (since 2005) The UNICA European Campus (in preparation)

UNICA Bologna Laboratory: Aims combining the strengths of member institutions with regard to the planning and implementing of curricula for the EHEA Facilitating the creation of joint degree programs among UNICA members (esp. at Master/Doctoral level; ERASMUS MUNDUS)

Giving a platform for the exchange of ideas, good practices, and day-to-day problems emerging from the process of creating the EHEA (including changes in mobility programs) Acting as a monitoring instrument for the process within the network

Components of the UNICA BL UNICA BL website (moderated) Specialized Task Forces Curriculum Development (CD) Task Forces

UNICA BL: The use of the BL website Respresenting the current state of affairs across the network (BL coordinators, status quo reports) Serving as the Bologna homepage of all member institutions Helping to spread the Bologna news within each institution (cf. Trends III)

UNICA BL: Specialised Task Forces According to mutual interest in the dimensions of the Bologna process UNICA arranges Task Force discussions and meetings in order to - work on solutions to particular problems (e.g. Diploma supplement, level descriptors, learning outcomes, etc.) - publish examples of good practice - give advice to member institutions

Task Forces should, if possible, develop manual-like descriptions of the solutions they have found (to be published on the UNICA BL website)

UNICA BL: CD Task Forces CD Task Forces are set up between member institutions wishing to develop joint degree programs They should be composed of academics and administrators (+ Bologna coord., + students?) They communicate via the UNICA BL website and via meetings organised by UNICA

Status quo Success of CDT depends on - institutional commitment - degree of interest of academics involved - willingness to cooperate and to arrive at compromises (ad hoc-solutions) Heterogeneous situation

UNICA: Joint Degree Programs (at Master, Dr/PhD levels) UNICA should be (one of) the most competetive Higher Education network(s) in Europe and a competent global player The position of UNICA universities in the European Research Area should be strengthened

Advantages of joint Masters/PhDs for the universities Improving educational profile and European/global visibility Attracting more intelligent/interested students Improving research collaboration Getting more programs for less money

Advantages of joint Masters/PhDs for students Increase in number and diversity of educational programs Increase in vertical mobility (European dimension, different educational systems) Getting better qualifications for European labour market/research market

Advantages of joint Masters/PhDs for UNICA Compilation of a growing portfolio of European (UNICA) Masters/PhDs Increase in attractiveness for non-European students Closer cooperation between UNICA members

Threats to this vision Different (legal & cultural) framework conditions Different speeds of development institutional egotism Uncertainty as to actors within institutions

The UNICA European Campus: features Focus on links between Bachelors/Masters Focus on particular academic fields Allows predefined paths across UNICA universities through academic acceptance agreements

The UNICA European Campus: (possible) advantages Fostering vertical mobility Fostering outreach through UNICA study paths Enhancing agreement on quality standards among UNICA universities Enhancing attractiveness of education at UNICA universities Strengthening European dimension

The future of the Bologna Process