SEB Bulletin October 2007
Bologna Process
The Bologna Process1 is an intergovernmental initiative that aims to create a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) by 2010 and to promote the European system of higher education worldwide. There are now 47 countries signed up to it and it is conducted outside the formal decision-making framework of the European Union. The Bologna Process is concerned with three Higher Education cycles: 1st Cycle - Bachelor (first degree); 2nd Cycle - Master degree; 3rd Cycle - Doctoral Cycle. Although there is much consensus amongst the European countries regarding the variety of doctoral programmes there still remains problems which affect the mobility of students across Europe. For example, recognition of new types of PhD, in particular the so called 'Professional doctorates'. In addition, there are funding differences, e.g. many courses in Europe are free; in some countries PhD students have employed research staff status (e.g. Sweden), supervisors have different roles in the doctoral assessment process.
The most important forum of the decision-making in the Bologna Process is the two-yearly ministerial review of 'Bologna', when HE ministers from each of the participating countries meet to assess progress and to plot the course for the near future. The most recent summit took place in London (16 - 18 May 2007). The Communiqué which was published from the summit called for the continued exchange of experience on doctoral programmes across Europe. The European University Association, which is leading work in this area, is planning the establishment of a Council for Doctoral education which will provide a platform for the discussion of emerging trends in doctoral education within and outside Europe. Recommendations were also adopted on improving the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to other regions of the world.
For more information go to the Europe Unit website2
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bologna_process
2. http://www.europeunit.ac.uk/home/