| 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
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