European Higher Education in a Global Context 2007-2009

With the development of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) a growing interest in the Bologna Process and the emerging European Higher Education Area can be witnessed world-wide (see for instance the Looking out: The Bologna Process in a Global Setting - London 2007).

At the Ministerial conference in May 2007 in London, Ministers adopted the strategy Strategy for EHEA in a global setting, encompassing the following priorities:

• improving information on the European Higher Education Area,
• promoting European Higher Education to enhance its world-wide attractiveness and competitiveness,
• intensifying policy dialogue,
• strengthening cooperation based on partnership and
• furthering the recognition of qualifications.

In April 2009, a report on the overall development at the European, national and institutional levels was published, including reports on the implementation of the strategy (download the report EHEA in a global context 2009)

To facilitate the implementation of the strategy, the 2005-2007 working group had prepared a list with elements for possible future actions Elements for possible future actions - Strategy EHEA in a global setting, which was not discussed by the Ministers but can still serve as source of inspiration (download strategy and list of elements for possible future actions in one document European Higher Education in a Global Setting - a strategy).

To improve information on the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area, the 2007-2009 working group prepared an information booklet, which may be freely used and copied for non-commercial purposes.

Booklet on Bologna Process and EHEA 2008 - print version

Information for international students and researchers (archive last updated in 2009) interested in studying, working or doing research at a European Higher Education Institution is available for each country participating in the Bologna Process on the country pages.

In cooperation with other regions of the world the  UNESCO-OECD Guidelines for Quality Provision in Cross-border Higher Education play an important role. A seminar on "Quality Assurance in Transnational Education - from words to action" was organised by ENQA in December 2008.

The growing interest in the Bologna Process also beyond Europe is reflected in a growing number of reports and initiatives, some of which are listed in the "Views from around the World" section of the First Bologna Policy Forum page.

Ministers had identified core policy areas for actions:

a) Improving information about the European Higher Education Area (EHEA): the working group supported the Bologna Secretariat in preparing an update and extension of the existing website.

b) Promoting attractiveness and competitiveness: the group took stock of the promotion activities held by countries themselves.

c) Strengthening cooperation based on partnership and intensifying policy dialogue.

d) Recognition of qualifications: the ENIC and NARIC networks are the main European platform for the development of recognition policy and practice.

A number of recommendations for concrete follow-up on these action lines were formulated, including the organisation of Bologna Policy Fora, with a view of mutual dialogue between world regions.

Working Group on European Higher Education in a Global Setting 2007-2009
EHEA in a global context 2009
First Bologna Policy Forum

European University Association (EUA), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic) have been selected by the European Commission to set up an EU-Asia Higher Education Platform for European and Asian academics and policy makers. For more information, please visit the EUA website.