New Zealand and the Bologna Process

More documents

Recommendations

Info

22THE BOLOGNA ENVIRONMENT:The European DimensionPurposeSignatories to the Bologna Process must also be signatories to the EuropeanCultural Convention, which aims to develop the common cultural heritage ofEurope, to safeguard and realise the ideals and principles which are itscommon heritage.AboutThe Bologna Declaration called for the promotion of the necessaryEuropean dimensions in higher education, particularly with regards tocurricular development, inter-institutional cooperation, mobility schemesand integrated programmes of study, training and research. Two years laterin Prague, Ministers called for the strengthening of the Europeandimensions, with increased development of modules, courses and curriculaat all levels with “European” content, orientation or organisation.By Berlin in 2003, Ministers stressed the necessity of ensuring a substantialperiod of study abroad in joint degree programmes, as well as properprovision for linguistic diversity and language learning. They agreed toengage at the national level to remove legal obstacles to the establishmentand recognition of such degrees and to actively support the developmentand adequate quality assurance of integrated curricula leading tojoint degrees.SignificanceAt a simple level, the European dimension provides a geographic boundaryfor the Bologna Process. More substantively though, the Europeandimension seeks to realise the aims of the European Cultural Convention inhigher education, in particular through developing a greater understandingof one another among the people of Europe.IssuesThe Trends V report found it was as difficult in 2007 as it had been in1999 to find evidence that the “European dimension” of higher education isbecoming a tangible aspect of institutional reality.
23 New Zealand ComparabilityWhile clearly not engaging in a ‘European dimension’ approach, the goalsof New Zealand’s International Education Agenda provide a lens throughwhich we may view the Bologna signatories’ approach to the Europeandimension. The Agenda’s focus is on New Zealand students being equippedto thrive in an inter-connected world, and international students beingenriched by their education and living experiences in New Zealand.New Zealand also encourages international components in studyprogrammes. About 800 New Zealand tertiary students went on anoverseas exchange or study programme in 2007. This figure, whileprobably conservative, is relatively low compared with other countries,especially those in continental Europe. Reasons given for low participationinclude language barriers, cost, lack of awareness of opportunities, andconfusion around student loan policy. New Zealand also has a culture ofyoung people taking an ‘OE’ following graduation. The Ministry ofEducation contracted research looking at ways to encourage higher take-upof international components, which was released in 2008. 7Further ActionEuropean and New Zealand governments and institutions share parallelagendas in this area. Further dialogue and the identification of mutuallearning opportunities would be helpful to develop models of how thismight happen and the relative contributions of government agenciesand institutions.TEOs may wish to consider how they support the development ofinternational competences in their graduates, including both opportunitiesfor periods of international study, and gaining maximum benefit from‘internationalisation at home’.7Ministry of Education, Research Project on International Student Exchanges – Sending our StudentsOverseas (2008) http://educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/international/19688
Page 3: 3ForewordSince its inception in 199
Page 6 and 7: 6 Bologna DeclarationSigned by 31 M
Page 9 and 10: 9Bologna Degree CyclesPurposeBologn
Page 11 and 12: 11 SignificanceAcross Europe most i
Page 14 and 15: 14 New Zealand ComparabilityWhile o
Page 16 and 17: 16 The Lisbon RECOGNITION Conventio
Page 24 and 25: 24THE BOLOGNAENVIRONMENT: Bologna

New Zealand and the Bologna Process

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?