Breaking News

Spring 2004 Workshop Schedule

Bologna Country Updates:Central Europe

By Nick Clark

In an attempt to benchmark progress that has been made towards the goal of establishing a European Higher Education Area by 2010, WENR is providing updates on the structural, legislative and institutional changes that have been implemented by each of the signatory countries in its efforts to comply with the reforms called for in the Bologna Declaration. [Continued]

REGIONAL NEWS

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United Kingdom: House of Commons Passes Controversial Tuition Bill A hotly debated bill, supported by most higher-education institutions but fiercely opposed by the National Union of Students, squeaked through the House of Commons on Jan. 27. The bill would allow institutions to increase tuition to a top rate of £3000 (US$5,500) a year beginning in 2006. The current limit is approximately £1100. To get the bill passed, the potential financial blow to students was made as soft as possible. The bill would abolish current upfront fees and would instead allow students to repay the fees once they have graduated and are earning a yearly wage on or above a set amount. While student unions opposed the bill, officials at Britain’s ailing universities welcomed the vote and saw it as a first step toward rectifying a 37 percent decline in funds per student. [Continued ... Read Full Story in the Europe Section]

FEATURE

The Bologna Bachelor's Degree: An Overview

By Mariam Assefa and Robert Sedgwick

Since the signing of the Bologna Declaration in 1999, Europe has gradually been moving toward a two-tiered system of higher education based on separate bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Countries that have the traditional long first degrees plan to phase them out by 2010, when the Bologna Process is scheduled for completion. [Continued]

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