1. NQF SERBIA 2009 NQF SERBIA 2009 current state and SWOT analyses Ljubljana, 29-30 June 2009

2. The Law on Higher Education (LHE, 2005) gives a legal basis for full implementation of the Bologna Declaration and the Lisbon Convention.  Ministry of Education  National Council for Higher Education (NCHE),  Conference of Serbian Research Universities,  Conference of Academies of Applied Studies  Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assessment (CAQA)  National Team of Higher Education Reform Experts – HERE Serbia joined the Bologna Process in 2003. Legal background

3. Structure of the Higher Education (HE) System in Serbia Total number of students in HE: 202,000 (2008-9) Unified higher education system consisting of: 7 public universities (105 faculties), 6 universities established by non-state founders (53 faculties) 80 Academies of Applied Studies The implementation of the Bologna Process formally started in academic year 2006/2007 The higher education institutions offer programmes of – First cycle (3 or 4 years) – Second cycle (1 or 2 years) – Third cycle (3 years)

4. Two mainstreams: – academic studies – applied studies Three degrees (cycles): – First cycle : academic studies and applied studies – Second cycle : master and academic and professional specialization – Third cycle : doctorate Higher education in Serbia cycles

5. NQF in Serbia National Council for Higher Education (NCHE ) has been working on the Serbian national qualification framework (SQF) draft since July 2008. SQF draft accepted at the NCHE meeting held on November 14, 2008. was mandated to create the SQF at the higher education level. Workgroup appointed by Ministry of Education, was mandated to create the SQF at the higher education level. The includes all stakeholders (ministries, HE intitutions, students, employers, trade unions). The SQF workgroup includes all stakeholders (ministries, HE intitutions, students, employers, trade unions). Upgraded at several meetings of the workgroup, supported by Council of Europe CoE Project "Strengthening HE Reforms in Serbia“

6. Principles Independently define SQF for higher education levels Take into account – legislation in Serbia – Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Include – all present levels of higher education – descriptors of learning outcomes Dublin descriptors are already included into standards Generic descriptors are included in the first draft of the SQF. – ECTS – prerequisites and access to subsequent levels NQF draft

7. Introductory text Bodies responsible for adopting SQF Basic legislative Basic goals What does SQF define? SQF and quality control Compatibility with EHEA and EQF NQF draft

8. Structure Academic Academic – VA-1a – basic, three years (180 ECTS) – VA-1b – basic, four years (240 ECTS) – VA-2a – master/diploma (60 or 120 ECTS) – VA-2b – academic specialization (60) – VA-3 – doctoral Applied Applied – VS-1 – basic, three years (180 ECTS) – VS-2 – professional specialization (60) NQF draft

9. NQF summary (fine-tuned) NQF draft

10. Items Title (applied/academic/scientific) Prerequisite Minimal ECTS credits Access to subsequent level Descriptors of learning outcomes Compatibility with Bologna cycles (EHEA) Compatibility with European Qualification Framework (EQF) NQF draft

11. Sample LevelStudiesApplied/academic/Scientific titlePrerequisiteMinimumECTS creditsSubsequentlevel Learning outcome descriptors:Equivalent Bologna cycle VP-1Basic applied studiesappliedCompelted high school180VP-2 have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study... can apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner...  have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data... can communicate information, ideas, problems...  have developed those learning skills that are necessary for them to continue...  have skills for team work. 1 NQF draft

12. To be done Get response from – Conference of Universities – Conference of Academies of Applied Studies – Ministry – European experts Finalize the document Accept by the National Council for Higher Education and/or Ministry for Education

13. SWOT: SERBIA NQF STRENGHTS Very quick mobilization of all higher education institutions to get acquainted with the Bologna framework. Very quick mobilization of all higher education institutions to get acquainted with the Bologna framework. The Law on higher education (2005) and corresponding bylaws regulating quality assessment and accreditation introduced the Dublin descriptors that enabled the definition of the list of qualifications with expected learning outcomes. The Law on higher education (2005) and corresponding bylaws regulating quality assessment and accreditation introduced the Dublin descriptors that enabled the definition of the list of qualifications with expected learning outcomes. Therefore, the programs of higher education institutions could be tuned to the list of qualifications and expected learning outcomes, although the NQF did not exist formally. Therefore, the programs of higher education institutions could be tuned to the list of qualifications and expected learning outcomes, although the NQF did not exist formally.

14. SWOT: SERBIA NQF WEAKNESSES Discontinuities in the decision-making process due to frequent changes of government. Discontinuities in the decision-making process due to frequent changes of government. The stakeholder structure is incomplete: higher education institutions, professors and students are involved. Stakeholders from companies and other employers are not yet included to the necessary level. The stakeholder structure is incomplete: higher education institutions, professors and students are involved. Stakeholders from companies and other employers are not yet included to the necessary level. Most stakeholders are in a precarious situation due to the weak economic situation, falling employment and restrictive fiscal policy. Most stakeholders are in a precarious situation due to the weak economic situation, falling employment and restrictive fiscal policy.

15. Using the experiences of countries ahead in NQF development, the skillful support of the Council of Europe. Using the experiences of countries ahead in NQF development, the skillful support of the Council of Europe. NQF development could greatly advance if pre-accession strategies of the EU concerning Serbia would become operational as soon as possible, including higher education for the knowledge society. NQF development could greatly advance if pre-accession strategies of the EU concerning Serbia would become operational as soon as possible, including higher education for the knowledge society. That would create the ground for defining economic, scientific and technology development strategies which, in turn, would help all stakeholders to cooperate in the development of higher education strategies to correspond to the needs of economic and social development. That would create the ground for defining economic, scientific and technology development strategies which, in turn, would help all stakeholders to cooperate in the development of higher education strategies to correspond to the needs of economic and social development. SWOT: SERBIA NQF OPPORTUNITIES

16. SWOT: SERBIA - NQF - THREATS Worsening influences of the world economic crisis and delays of Serbia`s accession to the EU. Worsening influences of the world economic crisis and delays of Serbia`s accession to the EU. Worsening economic and political tensions in the Balkans. Worsening economic and political tensions in the Balkans. That would greatly prevent the creation and implementation of any longer-term national or regional strategy, including higher education. That would greatly prevent the creation and implementation of any longer-term national or regional strategy, including higher education.