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The Bologna Process: Implementational Issues. UNICA Contributions. Major changes through Bologna. From national systems to European convergence (degree structures) From teaching-centred to learning-centred - student workload (ECTS) - learning outcomes, modularisation
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The Bologna Process: Implementational Issues UNICA Contributions
Major changes through Bologna • From national systems to European convergence (degree structures) • From teaching-centred to learning-centred - student workload (ECTS) - learning outcomes, modularisation • From „academic only“ to „academic and employable“
Major challenges • Curriculum development - institutional (university) perspective - subject-specific perspective - student perspective • Didactic changes (learner autonomy, individualised learning paths, …) • Administrative changes
The UNICA contribution • The Bologna Laboratory (since 2003) • Joint Degree development (since 2005) • The UNICA European Campus (in preparation)
UNICA Bologna Laboratory: Aims • combining the strengths of member institutions with regard to the planning and implementing of curricula for the EHEA • Facilitating the creation of joint degree programs among UNICA members (esp. at Master/Doctoral level; ERASMUS MUNDUS)
Giving a platform for the exchange of ideas, good practices, and day-to-day problems emerging from the process of creating the EHEA (including changes in mobility programs) • Acting as a monitoring instrument for the process within the network
Components of the UNICA BL • UNICA BL website (moderated) • Specialized Task Forces • Curriculum Development (CD) Task Forces
UNICA BL: The use of the BL website • Respresenting the current state of affairs across the network (BL coordinators, status quo reports) • Serving as the „Bologna homepage“ of all member institutions • Helping to „spread the Bologna news“ within each institution (cf. Trends III)
UNICA BL: Specialised Task Forces • According to mutual interest in the dimensions of the Bologna process UNICA arranges Task Force discussions and meetings in order to- work on solutions to particular problems (e.g. Diploma supplement, level descriptors, learning outcomes, etc.)- publish examples of good practice- give advice to member institutions
Task Forces should, if possible, develop „manual-like“ descriptions of the solutions they have found (to be published on the UNICA BL website)
UNICA BL: CD Task Forces • CD Task Forces are set up between member institutions wishing to develop joint degree programs • They should be composed of academics and administrators (+ Bologna coord., + students?) • They communicate via the UNICA BL website and via meetings organised by UNICA
Status quo • Success of CDT depends on- institutional commitment- degree of interest of academics involved- willingness to cooperate and to arrive at compromises (ad hoc-solutions) • Heterogeneous situation
UNICA: Joint Degree Programs (at Master, Dr/PhD levels) • UNICA should be (one of) the most competetive Higher Education network(s) in Europe and a competent global player • The position of UNICA universities in the European Research Area should be strengthened
Advantages of joint Masters/PhDsfor the universities • Improving educational profile and European/global visibility • Attracting more intelligent/interested students • Improving research collaboration • Getting more programs for less money
Advantages of joint Masters/PhDsfor students • Increase in number and diversity of educational programs • Increase in vertical mobility („European dimension“, different educational systems) • Getting better qualifications for European labour market/research market
Advantages of joint Masters/PhDsfor UNICA • Compilation of a growing portfolio of European („UNICA“) Masters/PhDs • Increase in attractiveness for non-European students • Closer cooperation between UNICA members
Threats to this vision • Different (legal & cultural) framework conditions • Different speeds of development • „institutional egotism“ • Uncertainty as to „actors“ within institutions
The UNICA European Campus: features • Focus on links between Bachelors/Masters • Focus on particular academic fields • Allows „predefined“ paths across UNICA universities through „academic acceptance agreements“
The UNICA European Campus: (possible) advantages • Fostering vertical mobility • Fostering outreach through UNICA study paths • Enhancing agreement on quality standards among UNICA universities • Enhancing attractiveness of education at UNICA universities • Strengthening European dimension