HERE Annual Conference: EU and its Neighbours: Higher Education Policy and Cooperation

Transcription

1 HERE Annual Conference: EU and its Neighbours: Higher Education Policy and Cooperation Round Table 4: EU-Western Balkans Dialogue on Higher Education and Research Brussels, 11 December 2017 Zlatan Buljko

2 EU-Western Balkans Dialogue on Higher Education and Research Dialogue Obligations Regional priorities

3 EU-Western Balkans Dialogue on Higher Education and Research Dialogue enabled through: Western Balkans Platform on Education and Training (WB PET) Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE) Berlin Process Erasmus + (for HE institutions) Horizon 2020

4 WESTERN BALKANS PLATFORM ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING -WB PET Launched on 7 March 2012 EU dialogue with candidate and potential candidates countries 6 Ministerial meetings so far WB PET aims to: - provide a regional platform for policy dialogue on education and training issues - discuss the ET 2020 agenda and priorities with the countries in the region - share good practice and experience among the participants - evaluate EU assistance - identify further needs for support - promote regional cooperation

5 WB PET Activities: 4 regional conferences on HE, teacher training, Erasmus+, the role and impact of EU higher education programmes 2 seminars on: teacher training, Erasmus+ 2 mtgs/dialogues: Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA) with the Erasmus+ Student & Alumni Association (ESAA), 3 studies: teacher training, HE provision and labour market opportunities in the WB, and Research capacity in the Western Balkans (to be finalised December 2017) A database of higher education provision in the Western Balkans in

6 WB PET Sarajevo, June 2016 Example of one of the reforms presented by Ministers EC presented the findings of the study: From University to Employment: Mapping Higher Education Provision and Labour Market Needs in the Western Balkans EC update on implementing the 11 regional activities Progress reports on the reform of teacher education and training Progress reports on higher education reform

7 WB PET Sarajevo, June 2016

8 WB PET Belgrade, September 2017 Increasing research capacity in the region Enhancing mobility opportunities Sessions: 1.From Erasmus to Erasmus+, A Story of 30 Years 2.Purpose of a Regional Policy Dialogue 3.Increasing Research and Innovation Capacity 4.Inter- and Intra-Regional Mobility

9 WB PET Belgrade, September a. Recommendations for governments: provide proper teacher training start preparatory measures for full participation in Erasmus+ make use of the Western Balkans Alumni Association (WB AA) b. Recommendations for educational institutions increase the capacity of human resources within IROs improve the attractiveness of HEIs in the region - offering more courses in English improve student support services, increase cooperation within the region to offer more joint degree programmes

10 WB PET Belgrade, September 2017 c. Recommendations for the EC continue sustaining National Erasmus+ Offices with the aim of promoting the Erasmus+ programme make the programme more accessible to disadvantaged and marginalised groups d. Shared recommendations simplify the recognition of diplomas and qualifications better promote the Erasmus+ programme

11 2. Priorities: WB PET Belgrade, September 2017 teacher training and the increase of quality of education recognition of qualifications further inclusion of disadvantaged groups and minorities in formal education 3. Highlights: development of smart specialisation strategies (SSP) underpins national research and innovation strategies and policies SSP will help to identify regional centres of excellence - ANTARES Centre of Excellence is a good practice Horizon 2020: awareness and training campaign in the Western Balkans

12 WB PET Belgrade, September Areas for further intra-regional cooperation: Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Young Civil Servants Scheme Vocational Education and Training (VET) at the forefront of reform efforts EC launch of a pilot scheme for VET mobility allow universities to set up English modules NEOs or WBAA to map English-taught courses

13 WB PET Belgrade, September 2017 Study: Research Capacity in the Western Balkans (HERE) Findings: Funding, including private investment and investment from business and industry is far too low Demand for research is very low. Public research systems are not connected to the industrial sector Main actors of research systems do not cooperate The general perception of the relevance of research is quite negative

14 WB PET Belgrade, September 2017 Recommendations for HE Better define the roles of teaching and research, and accordingly, recognition of research relevance for academic promotion. Enable transversal and entrepreneurship training at all levels. Provide training for both PhD mentors and doctoral candidates so that they can develop and nurture modern research skills. Assess and value international collaboration alongside career development build capacity and facilitate mobility.

15 WB PET Belgrade, September 2017 Recommendations for governments Establish funding opportunities for inter- and multidisciplinary research, supporting increased collaboration among and within institutions. Support the development of national performance oriented, competitive research funding prioritizing interdisciplinary research. Support the development of more fit for purpose governance and management with appropriate levels of subsidiary and staffing Develop adequate administrative support for research

16 Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE) Initiated by the Task Force Education and Youth (TFEY) of the Stability Pact, ERI SEE was established in 2004 MoU - Ministers of Education, Science and Research of the South Eastern Europe Governing Board, Consultative Body and Secretariat (Agency) Members of the GB: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244), Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Romania, as well as Austria as Co- Chair of the Task Force Fostering and Building Human Capital (TFBHC) of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Partners: Council of Europe (CoE), European Training Foundation (ETF), European University Association (EUA), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and donor countries: Austria, The Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland are represented in the ERI SEE Consultative Body

17 Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE) Focus on thematic areas of relevance: increased role of education and training in the development of the SEE countries, objectives of the Work Programme Education and Training 2010 and education objectives of the Millenium Development Goals, such as: a. Lifelong learning; b. European Qualification Framework and national qualification frameworks in SEE; c. Quality education and Equity in Education; d. The knowledge triangle - education, research and innovation.

18 Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE) PRIORITIES Modernization of VET and Work-based Learning Project concept note: ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE PLATFORM FOR WORK-BASED LEARNING IN SEE with the SEEVET Net and the Chambers Investment Forum, and with the support of the KulturKontakt Austria and Austrian Chamber of Commerce, to be submitted to the Austrian Development Agency. Quality Assurance in General Education a questionnaire was developed, implemented and analyzed enhancement of operations of bodies in charge of QA and quality standards regarding the subject of external evaluators/education supervisors trainings and licencing. Fast-track Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications in the Region Teacher Training Activities

19 ERI SEE RCC Joint Working Group 1 st Meeting of the ERI SEE RCC Joint Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications -15 December 2017: - development of automatic recognition procedures of the academic qualifications in the region under the Mobility pillar of the Multiannual Action Plan on the Regional Economic Area (MAP) - remove obstacles to the recognition of academic qualifications in the region by actions on the recognition of academic qualifications outlined in the MAP build on the priorities outlined in the South East 2020 Strategy - activities of ERI SEE, work within the Bologna process and recommendations adopted by the Ministers of Education at the Bologna Ministerial Conference in May 2015

20 Berlin Process for WB 6 'Berlin Process' for WB 6 from 2014 through 2018: membership prospects to achieve a long-term stability and transforming the region through economic growth and increased regional cooperation yearly high-level meetings between 6 WB governments and the several EU Member States connectivity is an important aspect of this process, with investment in infrastructure as a means for creating jobs, business opportunities and other benefits

21 Berlin Process for WB 6 Trieste Summit 2017 Trieste conclusions (Multi Annual Programme) Berlin Process: Connecting economies Support to mobility/removing obstacles Defining specific criteria for the "fast track" recognition Establishment of subregional ENIC networks Development of online systems for sharing information on the qualifications of HEIs and decisions taken Cooperation of QA agencies

22 Erasmus+ - Multi-country Programme for 2017 Erasmus+ Youth In Action Western Balkans Youth Window 3 mio in 2017 Expected results: - Strengthening of cooperation between youth organisations from all Western Balkans with organisations from the Erasmus+ Programme countries - exchange of expertise and know-how between them in the field of youth and non-formal education

23 Erasmus + Participation in educational networks: EQF Eurydice Implementation of the European Agenda for Adult Learning Participation in electronic platforms: etwinning Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe EPALE

24 Research and Innovation Roadmap for EU Enlargement Countries S&T cooperation Research and Innovation capacity building has been identified across the region as one of the key elements that need to be urgently addressed level of public and private sector investment in research, development and innovation (RDI) is low Serbia are the most advanced in the region far behind the EU objective to devote 3% of its GDP to R&D activities higher investments in R&D activities especially from private entities

25 Research and Innovation Source: Roadmap for EU Enlargement Countries S&T cooperation, 2017

26 Research and Innovation Source: Roadmap for EU Enlargement Countries S&T cooperation, 2017

27 R&I Priorities establishing a catalogue of research capacities and expertise available development of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3s) underpins national research and innovation strategies and policies. S3s will help to prioritise national research efforts and to allocate the resources needed. S3s will help to identify regional centres of excellence as cross-regional initiatives promoting science and innovation

28 Strategic documents: Obligations Stabilization and Association Agreement(SAA) Indicative Strategy Paper (for Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period ) EC Reports Europe 2020 Strategy South East Europe 2020 Strategy Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training (ET 2020) Incheon Declaration Education 2030 Towards inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all (A new vision for education) Bologna process - Communiqués of Ministers of Education Renewed EU Agenda for Higher Education

29 Regional Priorities Advancement of Intra-Regional Mobility Education and Training Reforms outlined in Economic Reform Programme (ERP) Fast-track Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications Engagement in the Smart-Specialisation Strategies (S3s) International Reading Literacy Study (IEA- International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement)

30 EU-Western Balkans Dialogue on Higher Education and Research Thank you for your attention! H E R E B i H Te a m : A i d a D u r i ć A l e k s a n d r a N i k o l i ć G o r a n J a n j i ć Z l a t a n B u l j k o