In the US, where competition is key and rivalry rampant, in Europe, starting from Bolgona, the colleges are trying to find common ground. Only Belarus hasn't signed on of all European countries.
There are 10 Bologna Process action lines
Established in the Bologna Declaration of 1999:
1. Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees
2. Adoption of a system essentially based on two cycles
3. Establishment of a system of credits
4. Promotion of mobility
5. Promotion of European co-operation in quality assurance
6. Promotion of the European dimension in higher education
Added after the Prague Ministerial summit of 2001:
7. Focus on lifelong learning
8. Inclusion of higher education institutions and students
9. Promotion of the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area
Added after the Berlin Ministerial summit of 2003:
10. Doctoral studies and the synergy between the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area
The problem arises when European students want to come to the US.
One aim, by as early as 2010, is for participating universities in Europe to finish a bachelor's degree in three years instead of four.
This is much different from the current American trend of cramming four years of study into five or even six years.
I have for some time advocated getting the bachelor's out of the way in three years. Unless, the kids have to work the fields and help with the harvest in early fall.
But, then what would the American universities do if they couldn't charge for four or five years? How would they make ends meet then?
Or wait, perhaps if a university's facilities were used year around instead of three-fourths or two-thirds of the time, money might be saved.
Now, that's a novel idea.
What do you think?
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