Bologna Process in Albania and its NQF versus

Bologna Process in Albania and its NQF versus EQF by Aleksander Xhuvani Rajmonda Buhaljoti Miranda Kullolli Bratislava 2008

Albanian HE reform n n Based on Bologna Process and its main documents National Master Plan (draft) HE New Law (approved in 2007) Reform of R&D institutions – integration with HEIs

Albanian HE reform priorities n n n n Two and three cycles of studies – HEIs profile, Curricula reform (ECTS points, one semester based modules), Quality Assurance, From NQF to EQF (learning outcomes), Recognition of qualifications (Lisbon Convention) Symbiosis of education and research, Student and staff mobility, Labour market oriented

Study Organisation Year III Year I Ph. D includes 60 Credits Master 1 credit = 25 hours of 120(ECTS point) Year II credits student’s work Year I (home work + classes) Bachelor Year III 180 credits Year II Year I Admission test state maturity

Curricula Development Course organisation

Curricula Development versus Research 3° year in all Albanian public universities 4° year in pre-school teachers education 5° year in PUT and AUT

Education Level according to Bologna process and anticipated implementation time in the country

HE Reform - stakeholders Government – Mo. ES, n Albanian BFUG n Q Ad Hoc WGs HEIs, n Council for HE and Science, n Employers community, n Student organisations, n Trade Unions n

Quality Assurance n n QA System fully functional, QA Institutions Accreditation Agency Q Accreditation Council Q n n Evaluation versus Accreditation, National procedures, criteria and requirements, About 60% of HEIs already evaluated Transparency: results made public

Quality Assurance Involvement of foreign expertise: nationals abroad n Networking (European and Regional), n Focus on internal QA n Student participation; not the rule n European Standards and Guidelines: main challenge n

National Qualification Framework LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4 First pre-university Second pre-university Third pre-university Fourth pre-university LEVEL 5 LEVEL 6 A LEVEL 6 B LEVEL 7 LEVEL 8 Post secondary HEI first level WH HEI second level HEI third level - Ph. D

National Qualification Framework Q Kick-off Conference with experts from Co. E Q AL-BFUG 1 st WG has detailed Uni level descriptors Q Another WG near the Mo. ES is dealing with pre-Uni levels and level descriptors Q In view : National Conference with Albanian stakeholders to propose the final version of NQF

Recognition of qualifications n n n Existing Recognition Unit within the Ministry of Education and Science Enhancement of the legal framework : in line with Lisbon Convention National Action Plan for Recognition issues Some bilateral agreements for automatic recognition New Law on HE : national information center for Albania – representing Albania in the ENIC network

Student participation n n In compiling Al HE strategic documents, In HE events (conferences, workshops. . ) In QA process In HEIs governing bodies New HE Law: – increasing SP at all HE activities – new student STATUS in HEIs n New climate for democratic and fair elections of their organisation within HEIs (Bottom-up scheme)

“Hot” Debate issues for the future BFUG - Albania n Autonomy and responsibility of HEIs n NQF – Dublin descriptors n Professorship workload (ECTS, hours, both? ) n Course recognition at national level n Many other details. . . n

Thank you !