On November 7-8, 2022, the 81st meeting of the Bologna Process Follow Up Group (BFUG) was held in Brno (Czech Republic) under the co-chairmanship of the Czech Republic and Kazakhstan. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Education of the EHEA countries and partner organizations – the Council of Europe, EURASHE, EUA, ENQA, ESU.

 

The opening was made by Prof. Radka Wildova, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Czech Republic Jiri Hanus, vice-rector of Masaryk University.

Welcoming speech on behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan was presented by the Kuanysh Yergaliev, Vice-Minister of Science and Higher Education. He also presented a brief report on the BFUG Board meeting on October 5, 2022 in Astana. In his speech, the Vice Minister informed that the formation of the Central Asian Higher Education Area based on the parameters of the Bologna process was discussed during the event. This idea was supported by foreign colleagues from BFUG.

The participants of the meeting discussed the implementation of the parameters of the Bologna process, fundamental values, social dimension, learning and teaching.

In addition, the issues of global political dialogue, the implementation of the Bologna Process in newly joined countries (such as San Marino), national qualifications frameworks and knowledge exchange in the countries of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) were discussed.

The BFUG meeting continued working together on documents regulating the implementation of the Bologna process, in particular, discussing amendments to the Rules of Procedures of the EHEA for 2022-2024.

The first day of the meeting ended with a Thematic block on learning and teaching, and an exchange of experience in three breakout groups: 1) learning and teaching, with an emphasis on innovative learning, trends and models of learning after COVID19, as well as the role of leadership in learning and teaching; 2) academic career, through the prism of learning and teaching; 3) mobility of students and academic staff.

The next day, the participants presented the results of their work in thematic groups on teaching and learning, and suggested possible solutions for the national and European level.

One of the topical issues was the Roadmap for the preparation of the Ministerial Conference and the Global Political Forum, which will be held in 2024 in Tirana, Albania. The participants agreed on a work plan for the next two years, taking into account the deadlines and documents that need to be developed.

During the meeting, the members of the BFUG discussed the current political, economic and social challenges that had an impact on higher education, and exchanged views on national policy.

The meeting ended with brief reports on the work done by the consultative members of the BFUG, as well as information on the following events. Kazakhstan will participate in the next meeting of the BFUG Board in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a co-chair of the EHEA of the current half-year.