NAFSA and the Bologna Process

As the Bologna Process is implemented in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), potentially it will have a substantial impact on the flow of students to and from the United States, depending in part on how U.S. higher education leaders react to the new paradigm. As a result, international educators will increasingly find they need to have authoritative information concerning the implications of Bologna. Education abroad programs to Europe will find their students enrolled in Bologna-compatible programs, and along with their colleagues in admissions, will be involved in credential evaluation and credit transfer policy issues.

NAFSA’s Role and Strategy 2006-2007

Note:  Implementation of the 2006-2007 Strategy is the responsibility of NAFSA's Bologna Task Force.

The Bologna Process is just that: a process that our colleagues in the EHEA are going through themselves. It has many intra-European dimensions and issues to resolve, as well as important implications for the EHEA’s relationship externally. In the upcoming meetings in Britain in 2007, these external issues of relationship between the Bologna process and other international higher education systems will begin to be discussed more fully.

We can expect developments in the Bologna arena at least until its scheduled full implementation in 2010. Therefore, it makes sense to carefully follow major trends and developments within EHEA, and adopt specific strategies for NAFSA in segments as Bologna unfolds, and as our own U.S. pattern of response develops.

Consistent with its mission, NAFSA wishes to advance international education and exchange. In that context, it will promote approaches to the Bologna process that result in enhanced mobility of students between the United States and EHEA.

NAFSA will educate and inform about the Bologna process, by building a strong practice information system that facilitates the dissemination of authoritative information and promotes member-to-member support on Bologna issues.

To effect this strategy, the association will take on the following tasks for individuals involved in the internationalization of their campuses:

• provide comprehensive information about the Bologna process itself
• provide examples of current practice and policymaking regarding Bologna
  
• seek the input of those involved in higher education policy research to provide additional perspective on the Bologna process

To effect this strategy, the association will take on the following tasks for practitioners:

• provide the same comprehensive information about the Bologna process itself
• provide updated links to EHEA countries’ own resources about the level of compliance with Bologna
• establish and cultivate an “interactive” forum for members to post links to specific EHEA institutions’ and programs’ Bologna information
  
• provide information on how to approach evaluating Bologna-compliant credentials, taking into consideration varying institutional needs and interests

To accomplish these objectives, NAFSA will:

• Build a solid and authoritative information Web portal–Bologna Process Special Focus Network–with information relevant to the Bologna process, with links to source documents in Europe.
• Report in its magazine, International Educator, and in the Bologna Process Special Focus Network about practices and developments of U.S. schools as they deal with the new degrees.
• Maintain an overview of conferences in the United States and abroad taking place about Bologna, especially as it relates to the interface of EHEA and U.S. institutions.
• Ensure that the NAFSA conferences have a strong Bologna “thread” of sessions/workshops, and that a “presentation package” is available for use at regional conferences.
• As necessary, hold conferences and meetings on topics of interest to U.S. educators, working with colleagues in Europe, especially with EAIE, to have a multicultural perspective, and report on those conferences.

NAFSA's Bologna Process Task Force

Appointed by NAFSA Vice President Chris Viers (Indiana University-Bloomington), the Bologna Process Task Force for 2006-2007 is responsible for implementing this strategy.  Members are:

Diana Carlin, Chair
Dean of the Graduate School and International
Programs, University of Kansas

Hans de Wit
Dean, Windesheim Honours College
(Zwolle, The Netherlands)

Paul D. DeYoung
Director, International Programs
Reed College

Rolf Hoffmann
Executive Director
The German-American Fulbright Commission
(Berlin, Germany)

Fiona Hunter
International Director
Università Carlo Cattaneo LIUC
(Castellanza (VA), Italy)

Patricia Parker
Assistant Director, Admissions
Iowa State University

Ellen Silverman
Director, Evaluation Services
City University of New York

Linda Tobash
Director of University Placement Services
Institute of International Education (IIE)

Robert Watkins
Assistant Director of Admissions
University of Texas-Austin