EURASHE welcomes the Communiqué that was today adopted in Tirana at the Ministerial Conference of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
25 years after the Bologna process began, EURASHE continues its commitment to building an innovative, inclusive, and interconnected EHEA. As a consultative member of the Bologna Follow Up Group (BFUG), a EURASHE delegation participated in the Tirana Ministerial Conference and has published a statement. This was the basis for an intervention by EURASHE President Prof. Hannes Raffaseder during the Conference.
The Tirana Communiqué focuses on lifelong learning and innovation in the context of the green and digital transitions, a crucial topic for EURASHE members and the higher education sector at large. EURASHE intends to contribute intensely to this topic in the upcoming cycle of the Bologna Process (2024-2027). EURASHE also expresses gratitude for the trust given by Member States to the authors of the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance. As one of the authors, EURASHE will help to prepare and propose a revised version before the next Ministerial Conference, which will be hosted by Romania and Moldova.
The role of EURASHE as a consultative member of the EHEA illustrates the value its Member States attach to practice based education and research that promote a competitive economy as well as social and territorial cohesion. On the occasion of the Tirana Conference, EURASHE renews its commitment to the EHEA and calls for the Bologna tools to be fully implemented. Furthermore, it urges ministers from the European Union to better integrate the EHEA commitments with the European Education and Research Areas.
EURASHE is dedicated to addressing challenges through joint European solutions, advocating for international cooperation and stronger policy support at all levels. We are ready to work with European institutions, governments, and other stakeholders to advance these goals. As we reflect on the purpose of higher education, we must remember that it is not only about integration but also about addressing the broader challenges Europe faces. By developing competencies for the digital and green transitions and considering our institutions’ local and regional impact, we can ensure that higher education remains accountable and relevant to society.
