FIRST STAGE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM IN CROATIA

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• FIRST STAGE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM IN
  CROATIA
• TASKS OF AUTHORISED BODIES

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BOLOGNA PROCESS

• In 1999. Bologna declaration was signed by 29
  European countries.
• In 2001. Croatia signed the Bologna declaration.
• Aim of the Bologna process establishing the
  European Higher Education Area by 2010. This goal
  is of vital importance for the promotion of
  mobility and employability of the European
  citizens, as well as for the overall development
  of the Continent.
• Special attention should be dedicated to the
  enhancement of international competitivensess of
  the European higher education system.

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GOALS OF THE BOLOGNA PROCESS

• 1. 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)
• 2. a system essentially based on two cycles a
  first cycle geared to the employment market and
  lasting at least three years and a second cycle
  (Master) conditional upon the completion of the
  first cycle
• 3. a system of accumulation and transfer of
  credits (ECTS)
• 4. mobility of students, teachers and
  researchers
• 5. cooperation with regard to quality assurance
  
• 6. the European dimension of higher education.

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LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
BOLOGNA PROCESS

• Act on Scientific Activity and Higher Education,
  July 2003.
• Act on the Revisions and Additions to the Act on
  Scientific Activity and Higher Education, JuIy
  2004.
• Act on the Recognition of Foreign Educational
  Qualifications, October 2003., in force as of
  July 2004.
• Rules of Procedures in the field of science
  (accreditation of the scientific organisations,
  2005.) and the field of higher education
  (establishment of HEIs, quality of institutions
  and study programs, contents of student database,
  contents of student document, content of diplomas
  and diploma supplement, 2004.).
• Croatian Government adopted the Strategy and
  Action Plan for Life Long Learning, November
  2004.
• In May 2005. the Proposal of the Law on Academic
  Qualifications will be completed.
• In June 2005. the proposal of amendments to the
  existing Law on Foreign Educational
  Qualifications will be completed.

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TIMELINE STIPULATED BY THE LAW

• Establishment of undergraduate, graduate and
  postgraduate degree programs structured in line
  with the Bologna goals by the academic year
  2005./2006.
• Introduction of ECTS by the academic year
  2005./2006.
• Harmonisation of the Statutes and other acts with
  the Law by March 1 2005.
• Introduction of the lump sum financing model by
  January 1 2006.
• Legal integration of Universities by 31. 12.
  2007.
• Establishment of the binary system Universities
  will cease enrolling students in professional
  study programs by the academic year 2011.

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INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION

• NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
  November 2004.
  Highest authority overseeing the development and
  quality of higher education sector.
• NATIONAL SCIENCE COUNCIL
  November 2004.
• Highest authority overseeing the development and
  quality of scientific activities and science
  sector.
• AGENCY FOR SCIENCE AND HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE
  NATIONAL ENIC/NARIC OFFICE February
  2004.
• Specialized institution providing expert support
  to both national councils.
• Activities evaluation of the quality
  enhancement and assurance system at higher
  education institutions, establishing cooperation
  between Croatian science and higher education
  sector with its international counterparts.
• National ENIC/NARIC office was established
  within the Agency. The office is the information
  center on Croatian and foreign education systems,
  as well as the national point for academic and
  professional recognition of higher education
  qualifications.
• NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE, HIGHER EDUCATION
  AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
  October
  2003.
  The National
  Foundation promotes science, higher education and
  technological development, in order to enhance
  development and employment opportunities.
• MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, EDUCATION ANDSPORTS provides
  support to the higher education sector and its
  authorised bodies in implementation of their
  activities.

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BODIES IN CHARGE OF THE FOLLOW-UP AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOLOGNA PROCESS

• NATIONAL BOLOGNA FOLLOW-UP TEAM
  
  April 2004.
• - Organises, coordinates and follows the
  implementation of the Bologna Process at Croatian
  higher education institutions
• - Actively participates in the Bologna
  follow-up activities at the international level.
• RECTOR CONFERENCES COMMITTEE FOR
• THE PREPARATION AND FOLLOW-UP OF THE
  IMPLEMENTATION OFTHE BOLOGNA PROCES
• October 2004.
• - Coordinates intersector cooperation on the
  implementation of the process and ensures the
  synergy of various activities. Also acts as a
  liaison between the academic community and the
  Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.
• - Ministry representatives are actively
  involved in the activities of the Committee.

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FINANCING OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR

• New undergraduate and graduate programs will be
  financed through the state budget.
• Postgraduate studies, for which both an
  University and the Ministry hold to be of the
  national importance, will be partially or
  completely financed through the state budget.
• Ministry has established an expert committee
  which will conduct an analysis and prepare the
  simulation of the future expenditure of the
  state-budget funded study programs.
• Since the new study programs introduce the
  increase in the teacher-student ratio, all
  measures will be undertaken in order to retain
  the current teaching staff at higher education
  institutions.

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