EURASHE has been establishing close links with other stakeholders in the Higher Education Area (EHEA) stimulating cooperation between the institutions within and outside the EHEA and fostering cooperation in Higher Education in general.
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Bologna Follow-up Group (BFUG)
The Bologna Follow-up Group (BFUG), which gathers together representatives of all member countries, the European Commission and consultative members: EURASHE with the other partners of the E4 (ENQA, ESU, EUA), the Council of Europe, the UNESCO Centre Européen pour l’enseignement supérieur (UNESCO/CEPES), Education International (EI) and Business Europe.
You can learn more on the dedicated page of our website here.
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E4-Group
The E4 is the group of the Higher Education stakeholders (EUA, ENQA, ESU and EURASHE) who are a consultative member of the Bologna Follow Up Group (BFUG). With the other three associations EURASHE built a strong partnership and is co-organiser of the annual QA Forum (EQAF). In 2005 the E4 received a mandate to develop Strandards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance. In 2007 the four partners received another mandate from the EHEA Ministers to develop a register for trustworthy Quality Agencies, which led to the establishment of the European Qaulity Assurance Register (EQAR) in 2008. In the past year the E4 has been cooperating in a project called ‘examination of the implementation of the European Standards and Guidelines for QA’ in the institutions and QA agencies (MAP-ESG project), based on a mandate from the Ministers to evaluate the possibility to review the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance, which were developed in 2005.
You can learn more on the European Quality Assurance Forum (EQAF) on our dedicated page here.
You can learn more on the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR) on our dedicated page here.
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Council of Europe (CoE)
The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg (France), now covers virtually the entire European continent, with its 47 member countries. Founded on 5 May 1949 by 10 countries, the Council of Europe seeks to develop throughout Europe common democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other reference texts on the protection of individuals.
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UNESCO Centre for Higher Education (CEPES)
The UNESCO European Centre for Higher Education / Centre européen pour l’enseignement supérieur (CEPES) promotes co-operation and provides technical support in the field of higher education among UNESCO’s Member States in Central, Eastern and South-East Europe.
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Education International (EI)
Education International represents organisations of teachers and other education employees across the globe. It is the world’s largest federation of unions, representing thirty million education employees in about four hundred organisations in one hundred and seventy countries and territories, across the globe. Education International unites all teachers and education employees.
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BUSINESS EUROPE
BUSINESS EUROPE’s members are 41 central industrial and employers’ federations from 35 countries, working together to achieve growth and competitiveness in Europe. BUSINESS EUROPE represents small, medium and large companies.
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EURASHE Partners
EUCIS-LLL
The European Civil Society Platform on Lifelong Learning gathers 25 European networks working in education and training. Together, these organisations cover all sectors of education and training including networks for higher education, vocational education and training, adult education and popular education; networks for students, school heads, parents, HRD professionals, teachers and trainers. EUCIS-LLL main purpose is to involve the different educational actors as closely as possible in the dynamics of discussing and implementing the policies and actions of the European Union.
After a long year of fruitful cooperation as a partner, in September 2011 EURASHE has become a EUCIS-LLL full member. The European Civil Society Platform on Lifelong Learning serves EURASHE as a forum for cooperation between education and training actors to build innovative projects, as a tool to push forward strong messages to EU institutions and as a space in which to discuss transversal topics on lifelong learning.
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UASnet
The Universities of Applied Sciences network (UASnet) aims at strengthening the contribution of the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) sector to the research and innovation strategy of Europe.
A preliminary agreement for cooperation between UASnet and EURASHE was established in March 2011. EURASHE and UASnet agreed to have contacts on policy making in areas they have in common and to attune their profile as an association to each other’s, looking for synergies. In particular, they made the following concrete proposals for further cooperation:
Contribution to a Bologna 2020’ publications on the priority areas as identified in the Leuven Communiqué of Bologna ministers, for the next Ministerial meeting in 2012.
Mutual participation in their respective Conferences, Seminars and cooperation in a joint working group on the ‘Profile of UAS, with a focus on Innovation & Applied Research’.
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European Access Network (EAN)
The European Access Network (EAN) encourages wider access to higher education for those who are currently under-represented, whether for reasons of gender, ethnic origin, nationality, age, disability, family background, vocational training, geographic location, or earlier educational disadvantage.
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EMUNI
The Union for the Mediterranean, consists of the grouping of Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI University), The University Center for the Euro-Mediterranean Studies (Center EMUNI), Euro-Mediterranean University Foundation – (EMUNI Foundation). EURASHE is a founding organization of EMUNI and member of the General Assembly.
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Business Platform for Multilingualism (BPFML)
The BPFML promoting multilingualism for competitiveness and employability brings together stakeholders from professional associations, employer organisations, trade unions, universities and vocational education and training institutions. The platform was initiated and supported by the EC in a structured dialogue. EURASHE is a member of the Platform.
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EURASHE is a member of the Advisory Board of:
Multi-dimensional Global University Ranking (U-Multirank) - The feasibility study of the European Commission. The objective of the project is to develop a feasible transparency instrument that can contribute to enhancing the transparency of institutional and programmatic diversity of European higher education in a global context and test its feasibility. The general intention is to create a transparency instrument that will have a global outreach, potentially covering higher education institutions of all continents.
U-Map classification tool project (U-Map) -This research project aims at developing a European Classification of Higher Education Institutions. The classification maps the European higher education landscape and will make the institutional diversity of that landscape more transparent. U-Map will not rank the institutions league-table-style, but will position institutions on a number of dimensions, each representing an aspect of the function and performance of higher education institutions.
OECD Feasibility Study for the International Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO) tests what students in higher education know and can do upon graduation. More than a ranking, AHELO is a direct evaluation of student performance. It provides data on the relevance and quality of teaching and learning in higher education.
Validation seminar on Independent Bologna assessment – This assessment study was contracted out by the European Commission and the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG), to assess the extent to which the operational objectives of the Bologna Declaration of 1999 and subsequent communiqués have been achieved in the areas of curriculum reform, quality assurance, qualifications frameworks, recognition, mobility and social equity. Learn more here.
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Other Stakeholders in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
Academic Cooperation Association (ACA)
The Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) is a dynamic think tank in the area of international cooperation in higher education. Its goal is to promote innovation and internationalisation of European higher education while maintaining a global outreach.
ACA was an EURASHE co-organiser of the Forum for the Central European countries (Budapest, 9 March 2010), and of the EURASHE pre-Ministerial conference Bologna 2010 Convention (Budapest, 10-11 March 2010).
European Association for University Lifelong Learning (EUCEN)
EUCEN is the largest European multidisciplinary Association in University Lifelong Learning. It aims at contributing to the economic and cultural life of Europe through the promotion and advancement of lifelong learning within higher education institutions in Europe and elsewhere and fostering universities’ influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe.
EURASHE acted as a social partner with EUCEN in EQF-PRO.
European center for Strategic Management of Universities (ESMU)
ESMU was created in 1986 as an international think tank nonprofit association to promote the strategic management of European universities. By offering management development programmes, benchmarking exercises and a learning environment on good management practices, ESMU brings valuable support to European universities striving to further their strategic developments.
EURASHE acted as an associate partner of ESMU in the European Platform Higher Education Modernisation (MODERN project) – The project aims at creating an open European Platform as a key instrument for innovation, state-of-the art knowledge, dissemination of good practice and joint action on university leadership, governance and management for the professionalisation of the sector.
European Consortium for Accreditation in Higher Education (ECA Consortium)
ECA has been founded in 2003 with the primary aim of mutual recognition of accreditation decisions.
Example of cooperation is TEAM project + TEAM II project where EURASHE acts as a stakeholder.
The project aims at developing a European Methodology for QA and accreditation procedure regarding joint programmes. The project should also explore cross-border recognition of qualifications awarded by joint programmes and extension of Qrossroads.
Networks of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA)
UNICA is a network of 43 universities from the capital cities of Europe, with a combined strength of over 120,000 staff and 1,500,000 students. Its role is to promote academic excellence, integration and co-operation between member universities throughout Europe.
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Interlocutors at European Level
EURASHE as a main stakeholder in the Higher Education policy on the European level is invited to participate in different expert, advisory and stakeholder groups, hearings or event organised by the European Institutions, agencies or foundations (such as EC, EP etc.).
European Commission (EC) - Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC)
The Commission is divided into several departments and services. The departments are known as Directorates-General (DGs). EURASHE has close
links with the Directorate General for Education and Culture, Research and Innovation.
The EU actions in education and training aim at improving the quality of learning systems and providing greater opportunities for people at all stages of their lives. While each Member State is in charge of its own education and training system, co-ordinated action can help achieve common aims.
The European Commission focuses on two aspects: firstly, co-operation with national authorities and European stakeholders on improving policies and exchanging good practice, and secondly the development and administration of funding programmes.
The Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency of the European Union (EACEA)
EACEA is responsible for the management of certain parts of the EU’s programmes in the fields of education, culture and audiovisual.
Fully operational from 1 January 2006, the Executive Agency operates under supervision from its three parent Directorates-General of the European Commission:
- Education and Culture (DG EAC),
- Information Society and Media(DG INFSO) and
- EuropeAid Cooperation Office (DG AIDCO).
EACEA administers most of European projects EURASHE is involved in.
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Interlocutors at International Level
Organisation for European Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Directorate for Education – The Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) was established in 1947 to run the US-financed Marshall Plan for reconstruction of a continent ravaged by war. Today, 34 OECD member countries worldwide regularly turn to one another to identify problems, discuss and analyse them, and promote policies to solve them. Education is a major area of spending for OECD countries. This is why OECD has the purpose to create education and training systems that contribute to social stability and economic strength, and that provide everybody with the chance to make the most of their innate abilities at every stage of life.
Council of Europe (CoE)
The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg (France), now covers virtually the entire European continent, with its 47 member countries. Founded on 5 May 1949 by 10 countries, the Council of Europe seeks to develop throughout Europe common democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other reference texts on the protection of individuals.
The Directorate General of Education, Languages, Youth and Sport supports the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Statute by member states in cultural, educational, youth and sport matters and of the European Cultural Convention (ECC).
The Steering Committee for Higher Education and Research (CDESR) oversees the Council of Europe’s higher education and research programme. Whereas most Council of Europe committees are intergovernmental only, the CDESR is a meeting place for representatives both from Ministries responsible for higher education and the academic community. It is in fact the only pan-European forum for both Ministry and academic representatives. Apart from representatives of governments and academic communities of members states, the CDESR also has observers – both from countries who are observers in the Council of Europe, but also networks of organizations dealing with higher education on the international level.
EURASHE is a Consultative Member (with observer status) of the CDESR.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a UN Specialized Agency which contributes to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, culture, sciences, and communication. Education is one of UNESCO’s principal fields of activities. Since its creation in 1945, the Organization has worked to improve education worldwide believing it to be key to social and economic development.
European Association for International Education (EAIE)
The EAIE is a non-profit organisation whose main aim is the stimulation and facilitation of the internationalisation of higher education in Europe and around the world, and to meet the professional needs of individuals active in international education.
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