Raport România 2005

er degree for the admission at the doctoral studies. The doctoral training programme is structured into: a) High general training. Duration: 2 years for attendance system and 4 years for no attendance system; b) Preparation and elaboration of the doctorate thesis. Duration: 2 years. The structure of the training programme consists of theoretical and practical activities for the specific field of the doctorate, at least 3 examinations and 3 essays or at least 3 creative works in the artistic field. For the doctorate with regular attendance, the structure of the training programme includes besides examinations and essays/ creative works the attendance of minimum 4 courses and their respective seminars. The Doctoral studies finish with a Doctorate thesis and graduates receive the scientific title of Doctor, respectively, the Doctor Diploma. According to the new law 288/2004 regarding the organisation of university studies a third cycle (doctoral studies) is foreseen to have 3 years and in special situations 4 or 5 years. All candidates for the title of doctor must be graduates of master’s study programmes or its equivalent. The specific regulations for the organization of doctoral university studies shall be elaborated by MEdC and they have to be submitted to Government’s approval. 6.2. What are the links between HE and research in your country? (For example, what percentage of publicly-funded research is conducted within HE institutions?) MEdC has encouraged the universities to increase the international cooperation in research field by disseminating informations on European research programmes, including FP 6 programme. Universities can compete for the national research programmes financed by MEdC (AGRAL, VIASAN, BIOTECH etc). The National University Research Council is the main Romanian funding organisation for university and postgraduate research programmes. Since 1995 CNCSIS is organizing selection stages for grants financed by public budget. CNCSIS budget represent maximum 8 % from the total budget allocated to Romanian research. The grant is a special form of financing based on competition for scientific research themes of national interest and distinct originality. The grant, which is non-reimbursable, is given to an individual researcher/coordinator of a research team from an accredited higher education institution, public or private research unit and institution to carry out, in a definite period of time, specific scientific research that may contribute to the development of science. The grant may also fund activities connected to research (the purchase of research infrastructures, publishing or patenting the results of the research, scientific seminars, research scholarships, etc). The grant is based on the evaluation of the research project that has been proposed, of the applicants’ previous achievement, and in keeping with the national strategy for the scientific research development, and the strategy of each institution or unit activating in the field. The grants are approved by the MEdC following the proposal of the CNCSIS. 6 Universities can also compete for grants awarded on basis of bilateral and international programmes. 7. Mobility of students and staff 7.1. Describe the main factors influencing mobility of students from as well as to your country (For instance funds devoted to mobility schemes, portability of student loans and grants, visa problems) Higher education institutions in Romania have been involved in SOCRATES and LEONARDO da VINCI programmes since 1997. Responsible for academic mobility are National Agency Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci Agency, both under the coordination of the Ministry of Education and Research. For the academic year 2003/2004 the sum allotted for Erasmus mobilities was 3.100.000 Euros and 3.122.308,38 were spent (due funds transfer from the decentralised action "Mobilities") and a number of 3005 students have participated in mobility programmes (Source: Socrates National Agency). Some minor visa problems of Romanians students have been solved. The Socrates National Council has requested all universities to supplement the grants for their students in order to assure 500 EURO per month/student. The special scholarship "Romanian Government" is offered with the purpose to train young leaders in public administration. The National Office for Student Grants Abroad manages grants through which the Government of Romania supports Romanian students, in order to study abroad for relatively short periods of time (2 to 10 months). Grants are financed by the budget managed by the MEdC. Furthermore, the Office manages grants set through bilateral agreements in the field of higher education. The external portability is not yet regulated but the internal portability, between Romanian universities, is in use. Students may beneficiate from bank loans to support their studies within various mobility programmes. In order to increase the number of foreign students, Romanian Universities will have to promote more actively their image abroad, invest in their courses, modules, degrees in international languages. Romanian universities are in the process of expanding their presentations on web-pages, thus providing transparency and reliable information to possible partners / visitors. Moreover, incoming students benefit not only from access to all university facilities, but also, where the course is taught in Romanian, from free Romanian language courses, tutoring and literature in their preferred language. Many universities invested a lot in the infrastructure relevant for international exchanges (residences, restaurants etc.) In order to increase the number of outgoing students the study of languages should be diversified and extra financial support should be provided. 7.2. Describe any special measures taken in your country to improve mobility of students from as well as to your country A Phare project called "PHARE END USERS SUPPORT" has been initiated by MEdC and Socrates Agency, in amount of 2.678.000 EURO, in order to supplement the exchange students grants for the academic year 2003/2004. Almost all exchange students will benefit by this grant supplement. Most of the universities are co-financing the grants of their exchange students. 7 7.3. Describe the main factors influencing mobility of teachers and staff from as well as to your country (For instance tenure of appointment, grant schemes, social security, visa problems) In the academic year 2003/2004, 807 Romanian exchange teaching staff was involved in mobilities and in the academic year 2002/2003, 330 foreign teaching staff came to Romanian universities. From our experience we have noticed that many foreign teachers coming into Romania are also interested in developing exchanges in their research fields as well. Compatibility and / or complementarity of curricula and syllabi, as well as reliable information are factors which play an important role in teaching / staff mobility. Participation in the Tuning project and the implementation of Bologna Declaration will help in this respect. International cooperation takes often the form of modules or intensive courses inserted in the existing curricula – a practice which needs to be expanded; joint degrees may be instrumental. 7.4. Describe any special measures taken in your country to improve mobility of academic teachers and staff from as well as to your country A PHARE project of Socrates Agency for supporting the teaching staff was approved under PHARE 2004. It is designed to last until 2006. We can mention teaching staff exchange in the field of education and research, in order to cover an existing need in the field at the host university or to offer aid in the development of new syllabi, new support for learning, new technologies of teaching and learning etc. 8. Higher education institutions and students 8.1. Describe aspects of autonomy of higher education institutions Is autonomy determined/defined by law? To what extent can higher education institutions decide on internal organisation, staffing, new study programmes and financing? University autonomy is fully guaranteed by the provisions of Romania’s Constitution, art.32 (6), which stipulates that "the autonomy of the Universities is guaranteed" and those of the Education Law no.84/1995 (Section 7), article 92 (2) "academic autonomy refers to institutional management, structuring and operation, teaching and scientific research activities, administration and financing", consolidated. It relies on the right of the university community to its own leadership and on its right to benefit from academic freedom without any political, ideological or religious constraints. It also relies on its right to assume a set of competencies and obligations in accordance with the national strategic directions set for the development of higher education, stipulated by the law. The whole set of rights and obligations as well as the norms underlying the life of the university community are to be found in the University Chart adopted by the university senate, according to the law. 8.2. Describe actions taken to ensure active participation from all partners in the process Most of the universities have developed partnerships with the stakeholders in order to promote Bologna objectives and to harmonize Romanian HE with European trends. 8.3. How do students participate in and influence the organisation and content of education at universities and other higher education institutions and at the national level? (For example, participation in University Governing Bodies, Academic Councils etc) According to the Statute of Teaching Staff Law no. 128/1997 students are represented in the 8 university senate (minimum 25%), elected according to the law. The executive administration of the university is assured by the University Senate Office composed by rector, vice-rectors, scientific secretary, administrative general director and a representative of students or students’ legal entities. The rector can invite at the Office meetings representatives of syndicates and students' associations or any other stakeholders. In the Faculty Councils students are represented in a proportion of 1 out of 4. At national level student's associations are consulted by the ministry in each concern and regulation related to their status. 9. The social dimension of the Bologna Process 9.1. Describe measures which promote equality of access to higher education The changes within higher education due to the Bologna Process require the restructuring of social support national system. In Romania the social dimension of Bologna Process is shaped by state scholarships and grants (study and social grants, performance scholarships - excellence and merit scholarships, research grants), subsidized accommodation and meals, help with travelling expenses, support with health services. In 2004 the budgetary support was extended to acquisition of PCs for pupils and students. The amount provided for each PC was of 200 EUR, 105.000 persons have benefitted from this program. In addition to budgetary scholarships and loans, students may receive private scholarships from employers to fully or partially cover their tuition fees and living expenses. In order to improve the access of students from rural areas to higher education, there are study scholarships awarded on the basis of the commitment to teach in rural education for a period of time at least equal to the duration of their studies. In order to assure an equal acces for disadvantaged groups, Roma population may beneficiate at the university admission examination from 400 public budgetary places under the condition of fulfilling admission minimum criteria. Offering subsidies for non-residence halls accommodation was a helpful measure taken for solving the issue of student accommodation. From 2004 Romania participated as observer to EUROSTUDENT project, a monitoring system with regard to the socio-economic living conditions of higher education students in EU countries. This could easily develop to become an important instrument for Romania to provide valuable information for higher education policy. 10. Developments in lifelong learning 10.1. What measures have been taken by your country to encourage higher education institutions in developing lifelong learning paths? Higher education institutions offer four types of postgraduate studies following the first degree, long-term university studies, as follows: in-depth specialization studies, master's degree studies, postgraduate academic studies, postgraduate studies of specialization and doctoral studies and postgraduate thoroughgoing studies for graduates of short-term and long term university studies. Also, universities provide assistance on a contract basis to initiators of adult training schemes as part of continuing education and re-training programmes, or may initiate such schemes by themselves. A comprehensive legal background for adult education was set down in the education law no. 84/1995, revised and updated, which has a special chapter regarding lifelong learning and in 9 the Government Ordinance no. 129/2000, consolidated. Ministries, national authorities, commercial companies or other legal entities, jointly with education units or separately, run adult training and refresher programmes, to improve qualifications of their present or future employees or re-train them. These training courses grant qualification certificates or professional competence recognized on the labour market. The law stipulates incentives for those who follow further-training courses for professional training, namely the right to standard salary, for those issued from public institutions and the payment of housing, per diem and transport, for those who take courses in other localities than that of their domicile. For the training of adults the same law stipulates the possibility of organizing institutions and networks of open or distance education, that make use of modern communication and information technologies. These provisions of the law are applied in all universities. 10.2. Describe any procedures at the national level for recognition of prior learning/flexible learning paths Such flexible learning paths are regulated only for the non-academic sector. In this respect a system of accumulation of credits should be implemented. The National Council for Adult Vocational Training, a tripartite and autonomous body , is the social dialogue forum that promotes quality of lifelong training and contributes to the elaboration of policies and strategies in the field. The Council will be tranformed in a National Qualifications Authority. 11. Contribution to the European dimension in higher education 11.1 Describe any legal obstacles identified by your country and any progress made in removing legal obstacles to the establishment and recognition of joint degrees and/or joint study programmes The emerging European Higher Education Area will create an attractive educational space based on the specific of European higher education. Joint Programmes give a great added value to higher education with reference to the University mission to form the human capital and the European citizens. Romanian legislation does not regulate specifically the procedures to award joint or double degree. However, there are no legal obstacles related to this field. In the Romanian legislation, these universities, Romanian and foreign, must be accredited according to their national procedures and may offer study programmes leading to a double degree. 11.1.1. Describe the extent of integrated study programmes leading to joint degrees or double degrees Romanian universities are establishing such study programmes through mutual agreements between universities as well as Governmental arrangements leading to a double degree, most of them in technical and agricultural fields but also in economic and law (ex.: "delocalisation des diplomes"). There are numerous (hundreds) of co- supervised PhD studies. 11.1.2. How have these programmes been organised? (joint admissions, mobility of students, joint exams, etc.) Students and teachers staff mobility and mutual recognition of examinations represent the main tools used by universities in organizing this kind of programmes. 11.2. Describe any transnational co-operation that contributes to the European dimension 10 in higher education Institutional cooperation between Romanian and European universities is the basis of the European dimension. Networking between higher education institutions has lately become a common practice. Romanian HEIs have prepared themselves for being an effective partner by participating in EU programmes on education and training since 1996. Two Romanian institutions (university departments - Physics and European Studies - from Bucharest and Iasi Universities) have been participating in the Tuning Project, the results of which are of significant relevance to the majority of Bologna action lines. Five universities have been involved in the “Quality Culture” EUA project, their activity within the created networks being extremely efficient in the context of an emerging European culture of quality. 11.3. Describe how curriculum development reflects the European dimension (For instance foreign language courses, European themes, orientation towards the European labour market) The development of the study programmes in foreign languages has been an added value for the attractiveness of Romanian higher education. Departments in foreign languages at university leve