Work programme of the Bologna Follow-Up Group 2007-2009
Conference on classification of higher education institutions
The Classifying European Institutions for higher education (stage II) project started in September 2006, the project finalised in May 2008. The project was run by an international project team, lead by prof. dr. Frans van Vught.
The growing consensus with respect to the principle and value of diversity is a solid basis for further policy development in the European Higher Education and Research Areas. But in order to make diversity useful it needs to be understood. Therefore, a logical next step for Europe with respect to transparancy measures is the development of a classification of higher education institutions.
A better understanding of the various types of higher education institutions, their mission and provisions, will support the European aim of increasing student mobility, inter-institutional and university-industry cooperation, the recognition of degrees and hence the international competitiveness of European higher education. Consequently, the development of a classification of higher education institutions in Europe is directly linked to the aims of the Bologna process and the Lisbon strategy. We argue that a classification must contribute to the needs of different stakeholders:
- Transparency for students
- Transparency for business & industry and other organisations
- Facilitate consortia formation between institutions
- Enhance system transparency
- A basis for diversified policy approaches
- A methodological and analytical tool for research
The presentations of the CEIHE II Conference, 10 - 11 July 2008, Berlin are available online at the CEIHE website.