Bologna Process
What is Bologna Process?
Bologna process refers to the targets and reforms set forth in order to create a European Higher Education Area by 2010.
It aims to improve quality of education regarding the expectations of the business world and civil society, share experiences, provide cooperation and validity of the qualifications acquired in accordance with the national situation and culture of each country.
Bologna Process launched in 1999 when Ministers of Education from 29 European countries gathered. Turkey was included in the process in 2001. There are 47 countries within the process and it is expected to be over in 2010.
In 1999 the process undertakes to attain the following objectives: Promotion of mobility for students and academic and administrative staff in higher education institutions, Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees, Establishment of a system of credits, Adoption of a system essentially based on two main cycles, undergraduate and graduate, Promotion of European co-operation in quality assurance and creating European doctorate and research areas. As a result of the meetings held every two years, in 2007, in London, the following objectives were accepted: three-cycle education system (bachelor, master, doctorate), national qualifications framework, quality assurance (in accordance with the European principles and standards), student participation, international participation, recognition of degrees and education periods, lifelong learning and creating joint degrees.
Every two years activities of the countries are observed and reports are published about the progress. The process will be completed by 2010.