1. Current Trends in European Quality Assurance and the Situation in the SEE Region ENQA Seminar Hosted by NEAA Sofia, 9 November 2007

2. The ESG and QA in the SEE Region – Opportunities and Challenges. The Situation in Bulgaria Prof. Dr. Todor Shopov Standing Commission on Education Science NEAA

3. ENQA: Standards and Guidelines for QA in the European HE Area generic principles, not specific requirements interests of stakeholders, institutional autonomy and responsibility, external QA secures institutional objectives cooperation of HE institutions and external QA agencies

4. QA – the international perspective diversity across the EHEA practices in Bulgaria – benchmarking and study visits; self-assessment and external assessment involve practically all experts; NEAA includes students; NEAA observers; clear criteria and processes common issues and international recognition

5. Irreducible principles of QA - the Bulgarian perspective QA is a means, not an end concert of stakeholders – NEAA is a partner quality of teaching and research and quality of graduates professional skills a controversial claim: Quality can be assured only by those who are involved in the teaching and learning process balance between traditional ideas of the European research universities and the pragmatic liberal approach to HE clarification of the meaning of state control and institutional autonomy

6. NEAA – structure and functions established in 1996 accreditation council, 9 standing commissions incl. the one on post- accreditation monitoring process of evaluation and accreditation – four-steps (self- evaluation, peer review, report of SC, decision-making)

7. NEAA – structure and functions the set of criteria is based on idea of equal weight of the three basic institutional activities – teaching, research, management sporadic participation of international experts in peer groups students are involved in process employers are engaged

8. NEAA – structure and functions assessment scale – very good, good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory yes or no (pass or fail) for new projects term of accreditation – 6 years for very good and good levels; 3 years for satisfactory level

9. Standing Commission on Education Science example: results of recent programme accreditation (2006- 2007) in professional area/field of study 1.2 Pedagogy ( Charts.doc )Charts.doc I acknowledge the work of Professor G. Bijkov, Chairman of the Standing Commission on Education Science.

10. Accreditation of doctoral programmes two levels – institutional and programme accreditation cooperation among universities is supported (at national and international level) reform is needed – new legislation to oust the outdated Soviet system attitude change is essential

11. Future prospects strategic priorities – implementation of ESG to improve methodology harmonisation – further benchmarking and tracking the flow of good practices information, consultation and active participation of public streamlining the system – only institutional accreditation?

12. Thank you.