On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Bologna tomorrow (19 June), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will pay tribute to the achievements of the Europe-wide higher education reform. After a quarter of a century of comprehensive reorganisation, the DAAD regards the European Higher Education Area as a national and international success. 

"25 years ago, some predicted the decline of the German higher education system with the start of the Bologna reform. Fortunately, things turned out differently: Germany's universities are very popular internationally and have been able to attract a large number of students and talents, especially from previously underrepresented population groups. Today, 90 per cent of all degrees in Germany are in Bachelor's and Master's formats with shorter study times. The European Higher Education Area now comprises 47 active member states, in which almost 33 million young people are studying, from Kazakhstan to Iceland, from Norway to Malta - including over 1.5 million internationally mobile students in the EU," explained DAAD President Prof Dr Joybrato Mukherjee.

Students at the centre - ECTS as a currency

The Bologna reform led to a paradigm shift at universities: curricula became more binding, the teaching of competences became the guiding principle and ECTS points became the "currency" of learning. Today, almost three million students in Germany are studying more efficiently and with lower drop-out rates than 25 years ago. At the same time, German universities have successfully opened up to a more diverse student body and serve as a role model for social integration. Before the far-reaching switch to Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes, the number of students was one million lower.

Bologna also ensured international visibility: around 370,000 international students and doctoral candidates are currently studying in Germany, making the Federal Republic one of the top host countries worldwide. Without Bologna, such success in attracting students would hardly have been possible. The internationally comparable degrees also make it easier for German students to study abroad and for internationally acquired qualifications to be recognised.
 

Expanding mobility and reducing dropout rates

In addition to the successes mentioned above, the DAAD believes it is important to continue working on the challenges: In order to achieve the mobility targets of the European Higher Education Area - 20 per cent of graduates are mobile abroad - considerable efforts are required. A consistent expansion of the Erasmus programme is a first step; further improvements are also needed in the recognition of academic achievements gained abroad. The drop-out rate, particularly among foreign students, is still too high. Here, universities need to be provided with the necessary resources for improved support and counselling.
At the same time, it is important to keep the long line of development in mind, said the DAAD President: "Bologna and the European Higher Education Area are exemplary of what Europe is all about in the best sense of the word: cooperation instead of isolation, cross-border education instead of national self-centredness and intercultural exchange instead of nationalism."