The Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) is organizing an international conference devoted to achievements and challenges in implementation of Bologna Process. The event will be held on October 2nd 2014 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The conference is dedicated to discuss the success of the past and tasks ahead in implementation of reforms both on European level and from perspective of Lithuania as a member state. The student-centred learning, development of internal and external quality assurance in higher education, implementation of national qualification frameworks – all these questions will be in focus of discussions at the event.
Alongside with presenters from Lithuania, there will be speakers from abroad as well. The key-note speech will be delivered by one of the main initiators of the Bologna Process, who was also drafting the Lisbon Recognition Convention – Mr. Sjur Bergan, Head of the Education Department at the Council of Europe. Reforms carried out, achievements made and problems encountered in Lithuania will be analyzed by Dr. Rimantas Vaitkus, Vice-Minister for Education and Research.
Dr. Achim Hopbach, Managing Director of AQ Austria and former President of ENQA, will share his insights into the genesis of external quality assurance in EHEA countries, diversity of approaches practiced and shared principles. The road travelled from 1995, when external QA agency was created in Lithuania, and the map of transformations alongside some considerations behind the choices made will be presented by Ms. Aurelija Valeikienė, Deputy Director of SKVC.
Our guest from United Kingdom Dr. Neil Casey will cover aspects of internal quality management within higher education institutions. This presentation will be complemented by analysis of institutional review results – at the end of its first cycle in Lithuania – by Ms. Nora Skaburskienė, Acting Director of SKVC.
Challenges for quality assurance in implementation of national qualification frameworks will be presented by expert from Ireland Dr. Jim Murray. An overview of the development of Lithuanian qualifications framework will be given in a comparative perspective by Dr. Vidmantas Tūtlys from Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania).
Mr. Paulius Baltokas, President of Lithuanian Students Union will analyse aspirations and realities behind the concept of student-centered learning in Lithuania. Our guest from USA Prof. Linda B. Nilson (Clemson University), the author of many articles and books, will present benefits and techniques of transforming students into self-regulated learners.
The target audience of the conference is Lithuanian higher education institutions – staff, working in academic affairs and engaged in international relations, also policy makers at the Ministry of Education and Research and other public institutions, student representatives. The event will gather approximately 100 participants including staff members of SKVC.
