1. 1 Higher Education in Belgium Flemish Community French Community Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

2. 2

3. 3 CHAIR Piet Van Hove, University of Antwerp Piet.vanhove@ua.ac.be SPEAKERS Jan Geens, Flemish Council of University Colleges, Directors Conference jan.geens@vlhora.be Kevin Guillaume, Ministry of the French Community, Attaché kevin.guillaume@cfwb.be Joëlle Pletinckx, Flemish Interuniversity Council, Rectors Conference joelle.pletinckx@vlir.be Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

4. 4 Content Key features of Belgium Key features of Belgium Structure of the educational system Structure of the educational system Facts and figures, organisation BaMa, study choice, admission requirements for the HEI’s Facts and figures, organisation BaMa, study choice, admission requirements for the HEI’s Associations in the Flemish Community Associations in the Flemish Community Institutional co-operation in the French Community Institutional co-operation in the French Community Bologna-process: realisations and challenges beyond 2010 Bologna-process: realisations and challenges beyond 2010 Conclusion Conclusion Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

5. 5 Belgium, interesting features Belgium gained independence in 1830. Belgium gained independence in 1830. It is a constitutional parliamentary monarchy -headed by King Albert II. It is a constitutional parliamentary monarchy -headed by King Albert II. Has become a federal state with Has become a federal state with three Communities:  Flemish-, French-, and German-speaking and three Regions:  Flanders, the Wallonia and Brussels Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

6. 6

7. 7 Belgium, some features The federal state and the federal government is responsible for foreign affairs, national security and welfare. The federal state and the federal government is responsible for foreign affairs, national security and welfare. The Communities are responsible for people-related matters such as education and welfare. The Communities are responsible for people-related matters such as education and welfare. The Regions deal with territorial matters such as economics, environment and transport. The Regions deal with territorial matters such as economics, environment and transport. Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

8. 8 Belgium and the European Union Belgium is one of the founding fathers of the European Union and of the European Monetary Union. Belgium is one of the founding fathers of the European Union and of the European Monetary Union. The country counts 10, 4 million people. The country counts 10, 4 million people. Brussels is the capital and is at the same time headquarters of the EU, NATO and many international organisations. Brussels is the capital and is at the same time headquarters of the EU, NATO and many international organisations. Currency: EURO (€) Currency: EURO (€) Information: www.belgium.be Information: www.belgium.be Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

9. 9 Belgium: educational system 1. Public funding for higher education – Same basic financing for all accredited institutions (based on # of students) – Very low tuition fee (~500 euro/year) – System of need based state scholarships 2. Basic mission of all HE institutions: – Education/Teaching – Research (fundamental, applied) – Service to society Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

10. 10 Structure of the educational system Nursery education age: 2,5 till 5 Primary education age: 6 till 12 Secondary education age: 12 till 18 Higher education start: age 18 and different forms of adult education Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

11. 11 Structure of Higher Education: Flemish community Admission requirement: diploma of secundary school Professional bachelor programme 180 ects Academic bachelor programme 180 ects Advanced bachelor programme min. 60 ects Master programme min. 60 ects Advanced master programme min. 60 ects PHD programme Professional Academic Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

12. 12 Structure of higher education French Community

13. 13 Facts and Figures 2005-2006 FlandersFlanders French Com. Total University University college University Non- university Number of students 59 913 103 390 66 963 83 268 313 534 Staff (FTE) 8 948 7 824 8 072 7 533 32 377 Number of institutes 622950 15 univ. 72 coll. Totality of public funding 747 237 X1000EURO 589 212 X1000EURO 536 231 X 1000 EURO 405 373 X 1000 EURO2.278.053 EURO Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

14. 14

15. 15 University Colleges in the Flemish community Non-university institutions in the French community Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

16. 16 Organisation of the BAMA-reform 22 University colleges Flemish community offers two types Professional bachelor (180 ECTS) Advanced bachelor (60 ECTS) Academic bachelor (180 ECTS) Academic master (60 ECTS) Doctoral programmes at one of the universities Bridging programme to give access to masters for professional bachelors 50 non-university institutions French community offers short-& long-type Short-type programmes in a single professionalizing cycle: bachelor (180/240 ECTS) Long-type programmes in two cycles: bachelor (180 ECTS) / master (60/120 ECTS) Bridging programme from non- university to university, and reverse Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

17. 17 Aim Professional Bachelor The degree of professional bachelor is only awarded after succesfully completing 180 ECTS-studypoints at a university college. The degree of professional bachelor is only awarded after succesfully completing 180 ECTS-studypoints at a university college. Prepares students for professions in industry, education, commerce, agriculture, health and rehabilitation, social work, informatics, applied arts or the media. Prepares students for professions in industry, education, commerce, agriculture, health and rehabilitation, social work, informatics, applied arts or the media. Courses are practice-oriented and include periods of work placement and internships. Courses are practice-oriented and include periods of work placement and internships. As agreed in the Bologna declaration these bachelorstudies are relevant to the labour market. As agreed in the Bologna declaration these bachelorstudies are relevant to the labour market. Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

18. 18 Students: study choice 2005-2006 Flemish community University Colleges Business/ Office: 24.292 M:12 692F:11 600 M:12 692F:11 600 Teacher Training: 18 937 M:5 262F:13 675 M:5 262F:13 675 Health Care: 10 537 M:1 568F:10 537 M:1 568F:10 537 Science & Technology: 9 526 M:8 409F:1 117 M:8 409F:1 117 French community Non-university institutions Teacher Training: 18 796 M:4 942 F: 13 854 M:4 942 F: 13 854 Business/Economics:17 570 M: 9 013 F: 8 577 M: 9 013 F: 8 577 Health Care: 15 308 M: 3 484 F: 11 824 M: 3 484 F: 11 824 Science & Technology: 9 892 M: 8 832 F: 1 060 M: 8 832 F: 1 060 Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

19. 19

20. 20 Universities in the Flemish and French Community Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

21. 21 Organisation of the BAMA-reform Flemish community : 6 universities offer Academic bachelor (180 ECTS) Academic master (60-120ECTS) PhD Advanced master (60 ECTS) Bridging programmes: access masterlevel for prof. and academic bachelors French community : 9 universities offer Transition cycle: bachelor (180 ECTS) Professionalizing cycle: master (60/120 ECTS) Doctoral cycle (180 ECTS) organized in doctoral schools Complementary master (60 ECTS) Bridging programmes: from non- university to university, and reverse Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

22. 22 Students: study choice 2005-2006 Flemish community Universities Law, Notarial Law & Criminology: 9 381 Economics & Applied Economics: 8 127 Psychological & Pedagogical Sciences: 7 323 French community Universities Applied sciences:13 897 Economics: 8 486 Medical Sciences: 7 616 Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

23. 23 Admission requirements for HEI’s in Belgium in general the secondary school-leaving certificate Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

24. 24 Admission requirements for HEI’s in Belgium Otherwise: - The HE-board can allow admission. - A foreign qualification of which recognition is based on a Belgian law, EU-directive or international convention. - After individual assessment based on a foreign diploma giving acces to HE in the home-country. - In the case of a foreign certificate, start: the procedure of equivalence by the Ministry of the French Community (www.equivalences.cfwb.be) www.equivalences.cfwb.be the procedure of equivalence by the Ministry of Flemish community (www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/NARIC) www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/NARIC Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

25. 25 Associations in the Flemish community Académies and Pôles in the French community Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

26. 26 Universities and university colleges embedded in « associations » Flemish community The legislation concerning the implementation of the Bologna structure also set up a new organisational structure, called « association » Five associations have been formed, consisting of one university and at least one university college. Their mission is to steer, to plan and to improve, through mutual cooperation the quality and efficiency of the supply of higher education and research. Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

27. 27 Institutional Co-operation French Community Article 90 of Bologna Decree Aiming at reinforcing national/international co- operation, fostering research, improving quality Between university  Académie Louvain, Académie Wallonie-Europe, Académie Wallonie-Bruxelles Between universities and non-university institutions  Pôle Louvain, Pôle mosan, Pôle Wallonie-Bruxelles Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

28. 28 Timeline Bologna Process (source: Eurydice)

29. 29 Bologna process Realisations & Challenges beyond 2010 Structural reform Implementation of the BaMa structure (third cycle) Implementation of the BaMa structure (third cycle) Flexible learning paths Flexible learning paths Recognition of prior learning and experiental learning Recognition of prior learning and experiental learning Matching higher education and research Matching higher education and research Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

30. 30 Bologna process Realisations & Challenges beyond 2010 Tools for mobility and recognition Credit system (ECTS) Credit system (ECTS) Mobility (Erasmus, Erasmus Mundus) Mobility (Erasmus, Erasmus Mundus) Recognition - development EQF Recognition - development EQF Diploma supplement Diploma supplement Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

31. 31 Bologna process Realisations & Challenges beyond 2010 Quality Assurance in the Flemish community Accreditation is one of the most important elements of the Bologna declaration. Accreditation is one of the most important elements of the Bologna declaration. Evaluation of the programs, teaching staff, research, student services by panel of experts. Evaluation of the programs, teaching staff, research, student services by panel of experts. Internal quality assurance: autonomy HEI’s Internal quality assurance: autonomy HEI’s External quality assurance: Council of Flemish Universities (VLIR) & Council of University Colleges (VLHORA) External quality assurance: Council of Flemish Universities (VLIR) & Council of University Colleges (VLHORA) Accreditation organisation: integration for the Netherlands and the Flemish community (NVAO) Accreditation organisation: integration for the Netherlands and the Flemish community (NVAO) www.highereducation.be Governance: accountability versus autonomy of the HEI’s: no accreditation means no public funding Governance: accountability versus autonomy of the HEI’s: no accreditation means no public funding Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

32. 32 Bologna Process Realisations & Challenges beyond 2010 Quality Assurance in the French community Agency created in 2002 and operational since 2004 Agency created in 2002 and operational since 2004 Internal and external evaluations Internal and external evaluations International participation of experts International participation of experts Strictly speaking no accreditation mechanism Strictly speaking no accreditation mechanism BUT “ex-ante” accreditation does exist through recognition and subsidization of HE institutions BUT “ex-ante” accreditation does exist through recognition and subsidization of HE institutions Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

33. 33 Bologna process Realisations & Challenges beyond 2010 Internationalisation as a Top Priority: Joint degrees incl. third cycle Joint degrees incl. third cycle Student support services (language training, information and study opportunities in other HEI’s) Student support services (language training, information and study opportunities in other HEI’s) Partnerships & Mobility Partnerships & Mobility Widening access – European Higher Education Area Widening access – European Higher Education Area Internationalisation at home Internationalisation at home Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

34. 34 Bologna process Realisations & Challenges beyond 2010 Innovation Curriculumreform – Learning outcomes Curriculumreform – Learning outcomes Lifelong learning Lifelong learning Social dimension Social dimension Employability – Engaging partners in the Bologna process + the Lisbon process Employability – Engaging partners in the Bologna process + the Lisbon process Diversity Diversity Quality Quality Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

35. 35 Conclusion: reasons to come to Belgium? For students Variation of programmes Quality assurance  high level of education Student facilities For partners Quality assurance  international profile Language education Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

36. 36 Bologna Secretariat 2009 www.bologna2009benelux.org This website is operated by the Benelux Bologna Secretariat, which supports the Bologna Process in the run-up to the next Ministerial Conference, which will take place on 28-29 April 2009 at the universities of Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve. www.dfes.gov.uk/bologna www.bologna-bergen2005.no Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007

37. 37 Websites of Interest Flemish Community www.flanders.be www.flanders.be www.flanders.be www.ond.vlaanderen.be www.ond.vlaanderen.be www.ond.vlaanderen.be www.studyinflanders.be www.studyinflanders.be www.studyinflanders.be www.vlhora.be www.vlhora.be www.vlhora.be www.vlir.be www.vlir.be www.vlir.be www.highereducation.be www.highereducation.be www.highereducation.be French Community www.enseignement.be www.enseignement.be www.enseignement.be www.equivalences.cfwb.be www.equivalences.cfwb.be www.equivalences.cfwb.be www.aeqes.be www.aeqes.be www.aeqes.be www.studyinbelgium.be www.studyinbelgium.be www.studyinbelgium.be www.ciuf.be www.ciuf.be www.ciuf.be Higher Education in Belgium – EAIE 2007