Wederzijdse erkenning diploma's heet hangijzer voor lidstaten (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - European education ministers are meeting in Bergen this week (19-20 May) to hammer out further steps to boost recognition of academic and professional qualifications across the continent.

But students complain social problems are being neglected, while professional bodies fear the process could lead to a lowering of quality in some sectors.

As a result of common initiatives, most of the participating countries (33) have completed their shift to a standardised two cycle structure (Bachelor/Master degree) at higher education, while preparing to embark on the third level - doctorates.

Within EU countries, Hungary and Spain have passed the necessary legislation but not implemented it yet, while Sweden and Portugal are drafting laws at the moment.

The ministers meeting in Bergen are set to adopt European standards for universities and quality assurance agencies, and express their views regarding a common register of such agencies.

The issue could yet prove controversial in some countries - like in the UK or France - as education is a sensitive area of national competence.

The European register would list the national and trans-national quality assurance agencies with the highest standards and independence.

Too much pressure for common standards harmful

The switch to a two-cycle model of degrees in higher education has been carried out in most fields of study, apart from medicine and other closely related areas.

However, some professional bodies view pressure to introduce the system as harmful for the qualification and training of future professionals.

A typical example is the study of architecture, according to Adrian Joyce from the Architects Council of Europe, based in Brussels.

He argues that in some countries, like in Italy, there is a tendency for graduates to start to work as junior architects without a minimum period of five years of study, just after they receive a Bachelors degree.

"It is mainly because of the economic pressure and it leads to lowering of quality of people in the market", Mr Joyce told the EUobserver, adding that it is a direct outcome of the introduction of the two-cycle model in the field which used to be taught as a compact five year study.

"It is crucial to assure that the graduates receive the best knowledge before they start practicing architecture, as their work is connected with public issues, such as health and safety or environment".

Students: Overload and social exclusion

While generally praising the whole project, students are also among its key critics.

According to Bastian Baumann from the National Unions of Students in Europe (ESIB), member states are picking some areas to reform but remain reluctant on others.

Social provisions are the main issues being ignored, with studying becoming more expensive - especially after the introduction of the Masters degree level to be paid by students alone.

Still, "grants and loans for the students have not changed significantly for almost 15 years in many countries, and the health care provisions for students are also not sufficient, even in countries like Sweden", according to Mr Baumann.

"The authorities change a lot in terms of getting the same qualification standards and the degree structures across Europe, but not so in terms of studying and living conditions for students", he added.

Students are also complaining that the changes pushed forward within the Bologna process have lead to an overload in some courses, as some subjects that were previously tought within four or five years are now being taught within three years - without a proper review of the content.

The so-called "Bologna process" involves universities and higher education centers in 40 European countries, with five more likely to join in Bergen - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.