Welcome at Maastricht University

Presentation at Bologna Hearing Brussels, 6 th March, 2008 by Dr. Jo Ritzen President, Maastricht University Is Bologna process added value in terms of quality and recognition of diplomas?

Outline presentation Bologna process Quality & Recognition Added value? Aftermath of Bologna

Bologna process Aims: increase transparency and mobility Create European Higher Education Area Lisbon reform agenda: HE considered driving force economic and social progress World to win by truly creating an international market Good for those who want to study abroad Generates strong incentives for quality

Quality & Recognition New quality and accreditation systems in place National implementation hampers international cooperation (like joint degrees) Lack of coherent framework, EQF/NQF too broad Different meaning and duration of bachelors and masters (ba 3 – 4 yrs, ma 1 – 2 yrs) Diploma Supplement useful, but qualifications students still unclear due to national differences Shift towards admission tests instead of evaluation of (foreign) credentials

Added value? Bologna caught up in technique, complexity and different national implementations Public HE systems subject to decreasing finance and have fixed (maximum) tuition costs Diversity in HE ruled out by many governments Inadequate and insufficient innovation and entrepreneurship Change under present national HE policies unlikely

Bologna - II Agenda Bologa-II needs to be drafted: new round of reforms from European perspective Common legal framework needed (accreditation/tuition fees) Governments should surrender power over HE to others, be it the EU or other supranational powers Basis is there, but more engagement is needed Lack of urgency and courage Government policies should become more facilitating: allow differentiation and private contributions