1. Transparency Tools in The European Higher Education Area Viorel Proteasa 2010 – 2012 Bologna Secretariat

2. Bologna Process • Bologna (1999) • Prague (2001) • Berlin (2003) • Bergen (2005) • London (2007) • Leuven/Louvain-la Neuve (2009) • Bucharest (2012)

3. Themes of the presentation Introduction of the EHEA Transparency Tools in EHEA documents “Transparency Tools” Working Group

4. The EHEA unfolded Bologna action lines EHEA Objectives/ HE priorities (?) (?) (?) (?) (?)

5. BFUG Workplan Working groups: • International openness: The European Higher Education Area in a Global Context • Mobility • Qualification frameworks • Recognition • Reporting on the implementation of the Bologna Process • Social dimension • Transparency tools www.ehea.info

6. BFUG Workplan Networks: • EHEA Information and Promotion Network • Network of NQF (National Qualifications Framework) Correspondents • NESSIE (Network for Experts of Student Support in Europe) • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) network www.ehea.info

7. The Bologna Secretariat Main role: “...to provide neutral support to further the consolidation of the European Higher Education Area under the exclusive authority of the BFUG and its Chairs and Vice-Chairs.” Bologna Process Secretariat’s Terms of Reference

8. The Bologna Secretariat Functions: • Administrative and operational support for BFUG, its sub-structures (WG and networks) and the Board (minute-taking, background documents drafting, assisting chairs in planning the meeting, communication etc.); • Create and maintain the EHEA permanent website and electronic archives; • Act as an internal and external contact point for the EHEA, while ensuring external representation on behalf of the Chairs or based on direct requests. Bologna Process Secretariat’s Terms of Reference

9. Themes of the presentation Introduction of the EHEA Transparency Tools in EHEA documents “Transparency Tools” Working Group

10. Universities: • “preparing for life as active citizens in a democratic society; • preparing for future careers and enabling their personal development; • creating and maintaining a broad, advanced knowledge base; • stimulating research and innovation." Transparency Tools in EHEA documents But Bologna Declaration was aiming for compatibility and comparability!!! Diversity (EHEA asset) “more detailed information”

11. Transparency Tools in EHEA documents • Policy hints: • stakeholders involvement; • benchmarking (universities comparing strengths); • comparable data and adequate indicators. • Coordination with other Bologna principles: quality assurance, recognition. Leuven/ Louvain-la-Neuve Communique, 2009, par. 22

12. Themes of the presentation Introduction of the EHEA Transparency Tools in EHEA documents “Transparency Tools” Working Group

13. Objectives • To monitor the development of the transparency tools and mechanisms both the purposes and the objectives (information, accountability, quality) and the indicators and criteria used (input/processes, output/outcome); • To make a report to the 2012 ministerial conference.

14. What are the “Transparency Tools”? • Preliminaries: • having the purpose to adequately inform the decisions of the beneficiaries; • would collect, process, systemize and communicate data on diverse higher education institutions. • To be defined in 2011, February-March.

15. “Traditional” Bologna Process Transparency Tools • Quality assurance; • Recognition; • Qualifications framework; • Diploma supplement; • ECTS.

16. Where to look at? • Rankings; • Classifications; • Public benchmarking exercise; • Quality profiles; • Registers.

17. Warnings on rankings and classifications from the researchers side • do not include in the "portrait" difficult or impossible to measure, yet important functions of HEI's; • promote one hegemonic image of excellent institutions, stimulating mimetic isomorphism; • impact on the governance of HEI's and on the relationships between their constituents; • impact on the access policies, strengthening inequalities.

18. Some recommendations from (EU) Directors General in Higher Education • Pay more attention to transparency tools’ interaction with government policy; • Involvement of stakeholders makes the transparency tools meaningful; • They have the potential to shift institutional policies, behaviors and strategies  deliberate policy action should be taken; • The current multidimensional approach offer the opportunity to better describe, inform and compare; • Transparency tools will allow institutions to compare their strengths and further increase their excellence.

19. Thank you!Questions… www.ehea.info