Bologna Process in Albania and its NQF versus EQF Bratislava 2008 by Aleksander Xhuvani Rajmonda Buhaljoti Miranda Kullolli

Albanian HE reform Based on Bologna Process and its main documents Based on Bologna Process and its main documents National Master Plan (draft) National Master Plan (draft) HE New Law (approved in 2007) HE New Law (approved in 2007) Reform of R&D institutions – integration with HEIs Reform of R&D institutions – integration with HEIs

Albanian HE reform priorities Two and three cycles of studies – HEIs profile, Two and three cycles of studies – HEIs profile, Curricula reform (ECTS points, one semester based modules), Curricula reform (ECTS points, one semester based modules), Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance, From NQF to EQF (learning outcomes), From NQF to EQF (learning outcomes), Recognition of qualifications (Lisbon Convention) Recognition of qualifications (Lisbon Convention) Symbiosis of education and research, Symbiosis of education and research, Student and staff mobility, Student and staff mobility, Labour market oriented Labour market oriented

Year III Year II Year I Bachelor Master 180 credits Year II Year I 120 credits 1 credit (ECTS point) = 25 hours of student’s work (home work + classes) Admission test state maturity Study Organisation Year III Year II Year I PhD includes 60 Credits

Curricula Development Course organisation

Curricula Development versus Research 3° year in all Albanian public universities 4° year in pre-school teachers education 5° year in PUT and AUT

Education Level according to Bologna process and anticipated implementation time in the country

HE Reform - stakeholders Government – MoES, Government – MoES, Albanian BFUG Albanian BFUG  Ad Hoc WGs HEIs, HEIs, Council for HE and Science, Council for HE and Science, Employers community, Employers community, Student organisations, Student organisations, Trade Unions Trade Unions

QA System fully functional, QA System fully functional, QA Institutions QA Institutions  Accreditation Agency  Accreditation Council Evaluation versus Accreditation, Evaluation versus Accreditation, National procedures, criteria and requirements, National procedures, criteria and requirements, About 60% of HEIs already evaluated About 60% of HEIs already evaluated Transparency: results made public Transparency: results made public Quality Assurance

Involvement of foreign expertise: nationals abroad Involvement of foreign expertise: nationals abroad Networking (European and Regional), Networking (European and Regional), Focus on internal QA Focus on internal QA Student participation; not the rule Student participation; not the rule European Standards and Guidelines: main challenge European Standards and Guidelines: main challenge Quality Assurance

National Qualification Framework LEVEL 1 First pre-university LEVEL 2 Second pre-university LEVEL 3 Third pre-university LEVEL 4 Fourth pre-university LEVEL 5Post secondary LEVEL 6AHEI first level LEVEL 6BHEI first level WH LEVEL 7HEI second level LEVEL 8HEI third level - PhD

National Qualification Framework  Kick-off Conference with experts from CoE  AL-BFUG 1 st WG has detailed Uni level descriptors  Another WG near the MoES is dealing with pre-Uni levels and level descriptors  In view : National Conference with Albanian stakeholders to propose the final version of NQF

Existing Recognition Unit within the Ministry of Education and Science Existing Recognition Unit within the Ministry of Education and Science Enhancement of the legal framework : in line with Lisbon Convention Enhancement of the legal framework : in line with Lisbon Convention National Action Plan for Recognition issues National Action Plan for Recognition issues Some bilateral agreements for automatic recognition Some bilateral agreements for automatic recognition New Law on HE : national information center for Albania – representing Albania in the ENIC network New Law on HE : national information center for Albania – representing Albania in the ENIC network Recognition of qualifications

In compiling Al HE strategic documents, In compiling Al HE strategic documents, In HE events (conferences, workshops..) In HE events (conferences, workshops..) In QA process In QA process In HEIs governing bodies In HEIs governing bodies New HE Law: New HE Law: –increasing SP at all HE activities –new student STATUS in HEIs New climate for democratic and fair elections of their organisation within HEIs New climate for democratic and fair elections of their organisation within HEIs (Bottom-up scheme) Student participation

“Hot” Debate issues for the future BFUG - Albania BFUG - Albania Autonomy and responsibility of HEIs Autonomy and responsibility of HEIs NQF – Dublin descriptors NQF – Dublin descriptors Professorship workload (ECTS, hours, both?) Professorship workload (ECTS, hours, both?) Course recognition at national level Course recognition at national level Many other details... Many other details...

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