Information Project on Higher Education Reform
As a result of the successful tender submitted by EUA to the European Commission, the Association started in January 2006 a new service project for a duration of 18 months to be carried out in close cooperation with its partners EURASHE, EAIE, ESIB and Tuning.
The Information Project on Higher Education Reform aimed at supporting European higher education institutions in implementing reforms, through the dissemination of reference material and the training of Bologna Promoters active at national level. Bologna Promoters are experts designated in each Bologna signatory country by the Ministry for Education, in agreement with the Socrates National Agency and the Rectors' Association (more information below).
Its objectives as defined by the European Commission were to:
- Increase awareness about the Bologna Process amongst stakeholders in the 25 EU Member States, EEA countries and Candidate countries.
- Design and implement a mechanism of information, communication and coordination ensuring a smooth functioning of the National Teams of Bologna Promoters, this includes the organisation of training sessions and meetings.
In addition, upon EUA's request, Bologna Promoters from other signatories countries were invited to events organised in the frame of this project and had access to any relevant information. EUA also pursued complimentary activities for the countries which have joined the process recently.
The management of the Bologna Promoters group was an important EUA project because of the mere size (300 experts) and scope of the expert pool involved, as well as the political importance of this activity in the implementation of the current higher education reforms.
Various materials were developed such as web pages on higher education reforms on the European Commission’s website, brochures and casebooks, as well as ready-made PowerPoint presentations on Bologna objectives, priorities and action lines.
In addition, a virtual working space that would facilitate communication and exchange of practice between the national teams of Bologna Promoters was implemented.
Past European training activities for the Bologna Promoters:
- 3-4 October 2006: Meeting of the National Academic Contact Points for Quality Assurance
Brussels, Belgium - 22-23 November 2006: Training Seminar on Quality Assurance
Hosted by the Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- 21-22 June 2007: General conference
Brussels, Belgium