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The Bologna Declaration of 19 June 1999 is a key document, which represents a turning point in the development of European higher education.
The Bologna Declaration was signed by 29 European countries, Romania included. It represents a free commitment of all signatory countries, to reform their own higher education systems in order to create overall convergence at European level.
As stated by the Confederation of EU Rectors'Conferences and by the Association of European Universities (CRE), the Declaration reflects a search for a common European answer to common Eurpean problems. European higher education systems are facing common external and internal challenges related to the growth and diversification of higher education, the employability of graduates, the shortage of skills in key areas, and the expansion of private and transnational education. The Declaration recognises the value of coordinated reforms, compatible systems and common action.
The Bologna Declaration involves actions relating to:
• a system of academic grades which are easy to read and compare , including the introduction of the diploma supplement (designed to improve international transparency and facilitate academic and professional recognition of qualifications);
• a common framework based on three academic cycles : a first cycle geared to the employment market and lasting at least three years, a second cycle (Master) conditional upon the completion of the first cycle, and a third cycle (Doctorate);
• a system of accumulation and transfer of credits (of the ECTS type);
• mobility of students, teachers and researchers;
• cooperation with regard to quality assurance ;
• the European dimension of higher education.
Later on, at the ministerial conferences which took place in Prague (2002) and in Berlin (2003), discussion regarding common European actions in higher education continued. There were debated issues such as responding to the needs of lifelong learning and the participation of higher education establishments and students (mainly through their representative associations) in the process. It was also decided to speed up the process by setting short-term targets.
Keeping up with the Bologna Process, Titu Maiorescu University is constantly working at putting the above-mentioned actions into practice. A lot of work has been done already.
UTM has developed cooperation relationships in teaching and scientific research with universities from all over the world. Moreover, the University is involved in European bilateral agreements, as well as in the LLP Program with it’s components Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig. UTM wishes to increase and diversify its participation in international cooperation, thus supporting student and teacher mobility.
Titu Maiorescu University introduced the Diploma supplement, the three cycles of study, the ECTS and has done important steps in quality assurance.
The Diploma supplement is a document written in both Romanian and English and enclosed to the university diploma (Diploma de licenta). The Diploma supplement facilitates the international academic and professional recognition of university degrees and studies. The document is a complete description of the type, level, and status of the courses attended during university.
The three cycles of academic study (Graduate studies, Master and Doctorate) have been regulated since 2004. The normal duration for graduate studies is 3 years (4 years for technical studies), that of Master programmes is 1-1,5 years, while the Doctorate studies are finalised in 3 years.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme, objectives preferably specified in terms of the learning outcomes and competences to be acquired.
ECTS makes study programmes easy to read and compare for all students, local and foreign. ECTS facilitates mobility and academic recognition. ECTS helps universities to organise and revise their study programmes and it can be used across a variety of programmes and modes of delivery. ECTS makes European higher education more attractive for students from other continents.
ECTS was introduced in 1989, as a pilot scheme, within the framework of Erasmus, now part of the Socrates programme. ECTS is the only credit system which has been successfully tested and used across Europe. ECTS was set up initially for credit transfer. The system facilitated the recognition of periods of study abroad and thus enhanced the quality and volume of student mobility in Europe. Recently ECTS is developing into an accumulation system to be implemented at institutional, regional, national and European level. This is one of the key objectives of the Bologna Declaration of June 1999. More information on ECTS (Official Website of the European Union).
ECTS Key Documents
Titu Maiorescu University has always regarded quality assurance as a management
priority and as a responsibility towards its students and researchers. Ever since
it was founded, in 1989, the University cared about the quality of its studies and
implicitly about the renown of its professors. UTM is also the only private university
in Romania, which was invited to take part in the Matra Programme, regarding the
development of a national strategy in the field of quality assurance in higher education
in Romania.
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