Presentation of Draft report on the Social Dimension of the Bologna Process
Pristina. Key findings from a draft report on the Implementation of the Social Dimension of the Bologna Process in Kosovo were presented at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) in Pristina on June 15, 2015. The concept of the social dimension of higher education was first developed within the Bologna Process in the Prague Communiqué of 2001 and, broadly speaking, refers to the goal of removing inequalities in access to higher education in the European Area of Higher Education.
The report, drafted by WUS Austria, is based on a desk review and three Focus Group Interviews (FGIs) on the Social Dimension of the Bologna Process, conducted in Pristina between March 11-13. The report aims at stimulating a debate at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Kosovo on the Social Dimension of the Bologna Process and suggests recommendations to strengthen the Social Dimension of higher education in Kosovo.
The over 20 participants included representatives from MEST, OSCE and the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), higher education teaching staff, university management, CSOs and students from Bosniak, Roma and Turkish communities. The discussions revealed the existence of significant challenges in the implementation of the Social Dimension: Participants referred to policy, financial, institutional and personal issues and challenges negatively affecting equal opportunities for all in higher education.
Questions addressed in the report include the following:
· Which groups are underrepresented in higher education?
· What are some of the obstacles they face?
· What measures could be taken to enhance access to higher education for marginalised groups?
The report will be finalised based on the feedback received from key stakeholder on the draft shared.
The report was drafted in the framework of the project „Higher KOS – Promoting Institutional Development in Higher Education and Research in Kosovo“, funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation. The project’s objective is to effectively and sustainably implement the principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in the public Kosovan Higher Education (HE) institutions and to sustainably enhance Kosovo’s integration into the European Research Area (ERA).