The Bologna process and the contribution of the European institutions to its progress was debated today in the European Parliament. The purpose of the Bologna process is to create a European higher education area by making academic degree standards and quality assurance standards more comparable and compatible throughout Europe and beyond. The Bologna Process currently has 46 participating countries, of which 27 EU countries and with the European Commission being an important contributor.
Gianni Vattimo (Italy, Italia dei Valori), has been dealing extensively with the Bologna process.
He says: "One of the greatest challenges the European Higher Education Area still faces today is the complicated issue of mutual recognition of credits and academic titles between European Universities. The EU member states should urgently adopt a final and clear decision on this issue." Vattimo also wants to ensure that education and training are independent of socio-economic factors: "It is important to guarantee an equitable access for all to study, especially in times of economic crisis like this".
The ALDE MEP highlights the importance of "safeguarding the crucial role played by training, cultural and social matters that are not directly functional to the labour market, such as the humanities".
The Bologna process introduced the three-cycle degree system (bachelor, master, doctorate), quality assurance and mutual recognition of qualifications and periods of study.
ALDE supports the calls for increased public investments in higher education, especially aimed at countering the economic crisis with growth based on enhanced skills and knowledge and the promotion of partnerships among universities and enterprises.
ALDE stresses that reduction in funding for education causes a negative impact on the social dimension of education and asks member States and EU institutions to develop new targeted and flexible funding mechanisms with a view to supporting growth, excellence and the particular and diverse vocations of universities.
Indeed education is one of the cornerstones of the EU2020 strategy: the share of early school leavers should be under 10% and at least 40% of the younger generation should have a tertiary degree.
