Brussels, 28/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Bologna Follow-up Group (BFUG) met in Riga on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 January, on the initiative of the Latvian Presidency, to prepare for the next Bologna ministerial conference to be held in Erevan, Armenia, on 14 and 15 May.
The delegations of 35 countries taking part in the Bologna Process attended the meeting, along with representatives from the European Commission, the Council of Europe and other organisations. The 2012 ministerial conference in Bucharest studied the impact of the economic crisis on the education sector and concluded that education was a key factor in overcoming the crisis and returning to growth and restoring employment.
For the Erevan conference, the follow-up group feels discussions should focus on the pursuit of the structural reforms to be implemented in the education sector and on improving links between the higher education sector and sciences. The internationalisation of education is also likely to be discussed, against a background of globalisation and global technological development. It is also felt that the increase in international study programmes, the development of new teaching methods and the need to develop quality assurance and recognition of qualifications at international level should be discussed.
The Bologna follow-up group is made up of the representatives of the 47 member countries of the European Higher Education Area, plus the Commission and eight international consultative organisations. It meets at least once every six months to provide follow-up to the Bologna Process. The intention of the Process is to allow the diversity of national systems and universities to be maintained while the European Higher Education Area improves transparency between higher education systems. Most importantly, all participating countries have agreed on a comparable three cycle degree system for undergraduates (Bachelor degrees) and graduates (Master and PhD degrees). The BFUG prepares the ministerial conferences and executes the decisions taken at these conferences. (IL)