Conference: Canadian Perspectives on the Bologna Process
March 19-20, 2009
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta CANADA
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Jointly organized by
the Provost and Vice President Academic
and University of Alberta International
The Bologna Process transforms European higher Education
Since the Sorbonne Declaration in 1998, Europe has been undergoing a profound educational transformation. Forty-six countries have agreed to create the European Higher Education Area by 2010. Informally this development is called "the Bologna Process."
This process focuses on three major goals:
- improving the mobility of university students and professors
- enhancing the attractiveness of higher education in Europe in an increasingly competitive global environment
- building more transparent and more homogenous structures for the tertiary education sector in Europe.
The Bologna Process affects higher education globally
Other countries around the world are closely watching the progress of the Bologna Process in an attempt to understand the impact of these reforms on their own educational systems. Many studies have been written, many conferences held in all parts of the world.
Canada: response is just beginning
There is considerable evidence of a broad interest here in Canada in this topic, though the response is just beginning.
- In 2006, the Registrars hosted a meeting on Bologna.
- In 2007-2008, AUCC, through their Standing Advisory Committee on International Relations, undertook an examination of the Bologna Process and its implications for Canadian universities. This led to the release of an AUCC statement signaling its commitment to engaging on the issue.
- January 26 – 27, 2009, as a means of pursuing its agenda of enhancing cooperation with European partners as laid out in the statement, AUCC is hosting a symposium for senior Canadian academic leaders and European counterparts in Ottawa entitled The Bologna Process and implications for Canada’s universities: The changing landscape for Canadian and European university partnerships.
The Conference: Canadian Perspectives on the Bologna Process
Canadian Perspectives on the Bologna Process is the first mainstream opportunity to
- hear from international and national experts
- update your knowledge of the Bologna Process
- contribute to Canada's response to it
Who should attend?
- Faculty members from Canadian universities and colleges
- Canadian higher education administrators
- Representatives of organizations that work in the area of standards, transfers and admissions
- Representatives of organizations who work in the area of international education
- Graduate students
- Government officials