1. Mobility management: Academic aspectsJoachim Fronia

2. Integrating the joint curriculum The use of ECTS grading scale to translate marks coming from national systems Integrating mobility in the programme A joint Diploma Supplement? Assessment Degree recognition Topics for discussion

3. Integration aspects of the EMECW: • Recognition of the study period abroad and exams : • Diplomas and degree recognition • Use of a credit transfer system ( ECTS) • Diploma Supplement

4. EU HE reform process (1) • 10 Action Lines based on Bologna, Prague and Berlin communiqués and main goals for 2010 • Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees • Adoption of a system essentially based on two main cycles (undergraduate/graduate) • Establishment of a system of credits (such as ECTS) • Promotion of mobility by overcoming obstacles • Promotion of European cooperation in quality assurance

5. EU HE reform process (2) • 6. Promotion of the European dimension in higher education • 7. Lifelong learning • 8. Higher education institutions and students • 9. Promoting the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area • 10. European Higher Education Area and European Research Area – two pillars of the knowledge based society

6. HE reform process in EU – achievements to improve the recognition of qualifications, allowing students to move easily between degrees, between countries and between academia and the workplace. • to promote a widespread use of a system of transferable credits known as European Credit transfer System (ECTS), which can be accumulated by a student in different institutions and countries • to facilitate the “Diploma Supplement” in a widely-used European language, which provides a standardised academic transcript lists the student’s achievements in terms of “learning outcomes” and acquired competences. • to enhance the attractiveness and profile of European higher education system in the world. The external dimension of the Bologna Process includes sharing best practice with other regions in the world where some countries are initiating parallel and compatible reform programmes

7. The use of ECTS • ECTS was introduced in 1989, within the framework of Erasmus, now part of the LLL programme. • ECTS is the only creditsystem which has been successfully tested and used across Europe. • ECTS was set up initially for credittransfer. • The system facilitated the recognition of periods of study abroad and thus enhanced the quality and volume of student mobility in Europe. • Recently ECTS is developing into an accumulationsystem to be implemented at institutional, regional, national and European level.

8. Diploma supplement • In parallel to ECTS, the Commission promotes the Diploma Supplement, which is a transcript of studies which all students in participating countries are eligible to receive in a widely-spoken European language • Higher Education institutions may apply to the Commission for a Diploma Supplement label • The Commission has also developed a proposal to integrate the different transparency instruments developed for vocational training (like Europass, European Portfolio and the European CV) into a single European Framework called EUROPASS, which will include the Diploma Supplement

9. Quality assurance - Assessment • The Commission supports the European network of Quality Assurance Agencies (ENQA). • The European Union is working on a set of guidelines on quality assurance, incorporating a peer review system and a European register of quality assurance agencies, managed by a European Register Committee. • The Commission’s proposal for a Recommendation on Further Cooperation in Quality Assurance is currently before the European Parliament and Council for discussion.

10. Degree Recognition • The Commission continues to support the NARIC network of credential evaluators, cooperating closely with the parallel network of ENIC centres coordinated by Council of Europe/UNESCO-CEPES. • The Commission supports measures to enhance the visibility and effectiveness of these centres and welcomes in particular the cooperation between ENIC/NARIC and ENQA, exploring the links between recognition and quality assurance

11. Conclusions for a successful mobility • Need of recognising study period abroad • Degree recognition and transcription of records • Compatible exam system and transcript of records • (ECTS grading scale or a comparable system for translation of national marks) • Raising EU and third country students and academic staff employability through recognition of study periods abroad