Bolonya Prossesi

The Bologna Process is the process of creating the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and is based on cooperation between ministries, higher education institutions, students and staff from 46 countries, with the participation of international organisations.

Countries participating in the process:

Additional member: European Commission
Consultative members:

1. European University Association
2. European Association of Institutions of Higher Education
3. European Students’ Union
4. Council of Europe
5. UNESCO European Centre for Higher Education
6. European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
7. BUSINESSEUROPE
8. Education International Pan-European Structure

The envisaged European Higher Education Area will

1. facilitate mobility of students, graduates and higher education staff;
2. prepare students for their future careers and for life as active citizens in democratic societies, and support their personal development;
3. offer broad access to high-quality higher education, based on democratic principles and academic freedom.

The Process started in 1999, when ministers of higher education from 29 European countries signed the Bologna Declaration in the Italian city of Bologna. Today the Bologna Process unites 46 countries – Georgia has joined in May 2005.

The Bologna Process reforms focus on:

1. Easily readable and comparable degrees: a qualification framework of three cycles
2. Joint degrees
3. Mobility
4. Recognition of qualifications
5. Quality assurance
6. The social dimension and equal opportunities
7. Employability
8. Lifelong learning
9. Promotion of European higher education

For detailed information see: www.bologna2009benelux.org