1. Implementing the Bologna Reforms in Universities: Achievements, Challenges and Priorities for the Future Lesley Wilson, Secretary General European University Association Implementation of Bologna Process in Turkey Galatasaray University 15 June 2011

2. …2… Introduction to EUA 800 individual universities 34 national Rectors ’ Conferences Associated university networks + organisations in 47 European countries EUA - « the Voice of European Universities «

3. 1. EUA’s mandate As the voice of European universities - 34 national Rectors’ Conferences & over 800 universities EUA:  Supports & takes forward the interests of individual institutions & the higher education sector as a whole  Promotes common policies that help universities to contribute to building a knowledge based society  Ensures that the voice of universities is heard in policy debates concerning the sector  Strengthens the governance, leadership and management of institutions

4. 2. Context setting: the last decade Global competition, specific European trends:  Continued massification: overall participation rates are up by 25% on average (1998 - 2006)  Many countries facing demographic challenges  European Policies: Bologna, Lisbon & the European Research Area, a Modernisation Agenda for Universities,  Massive change across HE systems, with multiple reforms in parallel The size and shape of systems are changing …4…

5. The metamorphosis of European HE …5…

6. 3. The present context – economic crisis All higher education systems face the challenge of designing sustainable funding models The impact of the economic crisis on HE systems in Europe is increasingly being felt The current financial crisis is not the only crisis facing European universities.  European decision-making has become more difficult - national interests have grown in importance relative to those of the EU as a whole  European level higher education and research policies resulted in a period of intense reforms over the past ten years but will this continue in the future? …6…

7. 4. TRENDS 2010 and the further implementation of the Bologna Process reforms TRENDS 2010 - four interconnected challenges Reaching a common understanding of the type of European Citizens we need for the 21st Century: ensuring lifelong access to learning Creating a partnership to support quality, creativity and innovation Building a European Knowledge Area Strengthening a European higher education identity in the world …7…

8. 5. European Citizens for the 21 Century: Lifelong access to learning Taking account of all the different purposes of the university and reshaping learning accordingly For universities this means growing institutional diversification and more focused institutional missions More specifically, mainstreaming lifelong learning (improving access & participation, student-centred learning, student services etc.) Examples of EUA priorities 2011/2012 Implementing the European Universities’ Charter on LLL through projects: Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies (SIRUS); TRACK-IT

9. 6. A partnership to support quality, creativity and innovation Stress on indicators should not overshadow the importance of balancing improvement and accountability, quality measurement & assurance Articulation between internal & external QA is crucial Rankings and classifications are not quality assurance tools Examples of EUA priorities 2011/2012 Continuing to promote Institutional Quality Management through the IEP Analysing the application and implementation of the ESGs in institutions (MAP-ESG)

10. 7. The European Knowledge Area Strengthening the links between the European Higher Education and Research Areas Key importance of doctoral education and the training of young researchers, and of providing innovative research environments Good doctoral education requires also excellent undergraduate programmes Examples of EUA activities 2011/2012priorities: Implementing the Salzburg II Principles on Doctoral education (2010) Further developing the EUA Council for Doctoral Education (EUA-CDE)

11. 8. A European HE identity in the world Growing importance of global interaction in response to shared global challenges = cooperation and competition European HE has gained international visibility but there is little joint cooperation outside Europe - each country has its own strategy & funding Nevertheless universities have a vital role to play in realising the EU’s external action portfolio EUA’s global dialogue priorities for 2011/2012: Cooperation with Africa, Latin America, US & Canada, and Asia through a range of projects (Access to Success, Quality Connect, Co-Doc, Alfa Puentes)

12. 9. Ensuring the Right Framework Conditions Increased and improved autonomy Sustainable funding Attention accorded to leadership and professional development at senior level in universities Examples of EUA activities 2011/2012: A-CARD – developing an Autonomy Scorecard Promoting the introduction of full costing in universities (EUIMA "Take-Up" activities) EUDIS: European Universities - Diversifying income streams for sustainable institutions

13. 10. In Conclusion - Questions for Discussion How to maintain the momentum for reform, especially the improvement of undergraduate education, at a time of severe financial hardship in many countries? There is a growing emphasis on metrics: bench- marking, classifying & ranking - Important, but not the answer – not only what can be measured is important? With the pie getting smaller & competition growing, will resources go increasingly to a small number of HEIs?

14. Thank you for your attention For more information on EUA policies, projects and publications visit: www.eua.be