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IA Marketing i Consulting, September 22, 2003

Russian Diplomas Given More Weight

Russia has joined the Bologna Convention on higher education. Such a statement on the results of the conference of European education ministers (held in Berlin on September 19, 2003) was made by its participant, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Education and Science Alexander Shishlov (the YABLOKO faction). According to Shishlov, the decision to admit Russia to the association of European states for the creation of a single educations space was reflected in the joint communique of the participants of the Berlin conference.

In addition to Russia the conference adopted a decision to admit the following states to the convention: Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia and Chernogoria, Macedonia and Vatican. The Bologna Declaration "European Higher Education Area" was signed by the education ministers of 40 European countries.

Shishlov also stressed that the document signed in Berlin approximates to the adoption of a decision of mutual recognition of Russian and European diplomas and it will become possible to export Russian education. This step will give a powerful boost to the Russian higher school and will facilitate an increase in the quality of education in Russia and its competitiveness in the world.

The press release of the Press Service of the Duma Committee for Education and Science states that the decision of the Berlin conference was attributable to the initiative of the State Duma Committee for Education and Science and the YABLOKO faction which resulted in the sending (in June 2003) by the lower chamber of the Russian parliament of an address to the Chairman of the Russian Government on the need to sign the Bologna declaration. The idea of joining the European convention originates in the rector's association of St. Petersburg which actively cooperates with Western universities.

Russia's participation in the Bologna process will increase the mobility of students and teachers, providing them with an opportunity to change countries during their studies and university for academic purposes. "The Russian higher school has the advantages of the fundamental nature of its educational programmes. To use this advantage and attract students from other countries we have to participate in the building of a common European system," noted Shishlov.

The Chairman of the State Duma Committee also noted that contrary to predictions there were no serious obstacles to Russia's adherence to the common European educational space. All disputable issues will be resolved by an operational commission created with the Education Ministry of the RF. In the next conference of education ministers of the European states - in May 2005 - Russia will participate as a fully-fledged partner, stressed Shishlov.


 

See also:

Reform in Education

Russia joined the Bologna process. Press Release, September 19, 2003

The State Duma supported YABLOKO's initiative to create a single education space in Europe. Press Release, June 21, 2003

Alexander Shishlov: Russia's admission to the Bologna process will become an important political step. Press release, March 7, 2003

Deputies of the State Duma call on Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to sign the Bologna convention. MK-Novosti, June 21, 2003

IA Marketing i Consulting, September 22, 2003

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