Belarusan education system’s readiness to join the EHEA. Alternative report 2014

On December 9 the alternative report on the Belarusan education system’s readiness to join Bologna process was sent to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Secretariat.

The report was prepared by the Public Bologna Committee and sent to the EHEA Secretariat on behalf of the Belarusan National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.

Based on Belarusian Higher Education system analysis, the Independent Bologna Committee experts concluded the following:

- In spite of the fact that during the time since the previous attempt to join EHEA, Belarusian higher education made a number of steps towards reforming educational structure, implementing credit system, introducing changed into the national qualification system, we believe that in general the Belarus higher education doesn’t meet the candidate selection criteria.

- The official statements on intentions to reform higher education funding allocation system, to increase institutional autonomy and to establish independent quality assurance agency as well as to involve
students into higher education management are not legally binding upon the HEIs.

- Higher education regulations and academic conditions reconfirm the administrative despotism in respect of students and faculty, academic and institutional freedom limitation.

- We are positive that Belarus admission to EHEA must be conditional and sealed by Belarus obligations and accountability to international community concerting higher education system reform in accordance with EHEA values, objectives and policy. These obligations must be signed off in jointly developed by Belarusian and European experts “Road Map’ aiming to modernize the higher education in Belarus.

We will highly appreciate your help in delivering this report to the all relevant stakeholders.

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