Raport România 2007

o. 172/1998, which contains the Convention’s provisions. At the moment, the draft of the Higher Education Law is submitted to a public consultation and it is published on the Ministry of Education and Research website www.edu.ro. Up to now, the Education Act nr. 84/1995 includes the provisions regarding the primary, secondary and higher education. The National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas is the Romanian member of NARIC-ENIC Networks. It has been founded by the Government Decision no. 49/1999 and has been reorganized by the Ministry of Education and Research Act no. 5820/2006, which simplifies the recognition procedures. The National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas is fully operational since 1999. (Scorecard and Eurydice) Stage of implementation of ECTS 18. Describe the credit and accumulation system operating in your country. ECTS is in place in Romania HEIs sine 1997 and has been generalised by the Minister Order No. 3617/16.03.2005. It works on the basis of the general rule which provides 60 ECTS for workload necessary to 1 academic year and 30 ECTS for 1 academic semester. ECTS credits are attached to each subject (compulsory, optional and facultative subject). The „Licen a”(Bachelor) and the Master thesis can be, also, rewarded with up to 10 ECTS. The allocation of ECTS credits for each subject takes in consideration each kind of study activity required by the specific subject or in relation to the total workload necessary to complete a full year of study. Each higher education institution annually elaborates and publishes a comprehensive informational portfolio as a Study Guide for its own students, which comprises information on: the university structure, the academic year calendar, the application procedure, the educational plan, the period(s) in each semester or academic year when options can be made for the optional and facultative subjects, courses. The Study Guide can be issued, also, in a foreign language of wide international use and is distributed free of charge to the students and to the professors. It is made public on the university web site at least two weeks before the academic year starts. 4 Recommendation on the Criteria and Procedures for Recognition (2001); Recommendation on the Recognition of Joint Degrees (2004); Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Transnational Education (2001) 14  19. Has your country produced a national plan to improve the quality of the process associated with the recognition of foreign qualifications5? If so, give a brief description of the plan and attach a copy. A National Plan for the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications has been elaborated and it contains the main activities and procedures in place and some of the planned actions for the future. Lifelong Learning (Scorecard) Recognition of prior learning 20. Describe the measures in place to recognise prior learning, including non- formal and informal learning. At the present there are in place specific procedures for the recognition of non-formal and informal prior learning. The common Order of Education and Labour Minister no. 4543/468 from 23 august 2004 provides the procedural guidelines for the evaluation and certification of professional competences acquired in other contexts than the formal one. The assessment process of professional competences acquired in other contexts than the formal one is independent of the vocational training process and is based on occupational and professional training standards. There are some principles as basis for the assessment process of professional competences acquired in other contexts than the formal one: 1. validity (competence evidence for the activities described in the occupational standard; 2. credibility (the use of the same methods leading always at the same result); 3. impartiality (no private interest); 4. flexibility (adapted to the needs of the candidates and the particularities of the work place); 5. confidentiality of the result; 6. simplicity (easy to understand and to be applied). On demand of the individual, this kind of competences is evaluated by evaluation centers for professional competences. The National Council for Adult Vocational Training authorizes and monitors the evaluation centers for professional competences and certifies the professional competences evaluators. At the present are functioning 31 centres for the evaluation and recognition of prior learning, which are assessing 61 occupations and qualifications (www.cnfpa.ro). The individuals declared competent following the evaluation process receive a certificate of professional competences, for those units which declared them competent. There are also provisions at the university level for the recognition of certain courses taken to other institutions and which are included in the study programme by using ECTS. 5 ENIC/NARIC has produced guidelines for National Action Plans for Recognition. 15  21. Describe legislative and other measures taken by your country to create opportunities for flexible learning paths in higher education. The number of study programmes which allow students to choose from a wide range of optional courses increased. Students can choose a modular pathway of study and within the same module, from a wide range of disciplines. Once chosen the module, they still can choose a certain amount of courses from a different module. There are also provisions at the university level for the recognition of certain courses taken to other institutions and which are included in the study programme by using ECTS (university transferability). Romanian HEIs organise also summer schools which allow students, by participating in, to accumulate a certain amount of ECTS credits. Universities can decide to recognise partially or in its integrity a period of study abroad, in order to increase the flexibility of the learning pathways. Concerning the access requirements, the universities are fully autonomous to establish their own conditions. Flexibility can be observed also in courses delivery. There are online courses put at the disposal of the students. Joint degrees (Scorecard and Eurydice) Establishment and recognition of joint degrees 22. Describe the legislative position on joint degrees in your country. The Government Decision no. 1424/2006 stipulates the organisation of integrated university study programs by two or more universities, which leads to a joint degree. According to Romanian legislation, these programs can be organised for all the 3 cycles of university studies (bachelor, master, doctorate). One of the conditions of organising an integrated study program is to be established for a specialisation recognised in the partner countries. For the recognition of a joint degree, all partner universities have to be recognised as an accredited HEI in their own countries. There are 3 types of integrated study programs: - common programmes between 2 or more accredited HEIs in Romanian or abroad; - university extensions abroad and study programs organised abroad by Romanian accredited HEIs in cooperation with foreign universities; - “franchise” programs In our country, joint degrees are most commonly awarded in economics/business, engineering, law and management. The joint degrees are automatically recognised by the partner institutions via the National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas. 16 C. Current issues in Higher Education Higher education and research 23. Describe the relationship between higher education and research in your country - what percentage of research is carried out in HEIs; are any steps being taken to improve the synergy between HE and other research sectors. The higher education system is integrated, as a distinct and most important component, in the R&D and innovation system. The National Authority for Scientific Research – NASR, represents the Government’s specialized body with the mission to formulate, apply, coordinate and monitor the implementation, and assess the impact of R&D and innovation policies, with the aim to promote the development of activities in these fields and their scientific and technical integration at international level. The National Authority for Scientific Research was established in July 2005, in the coordination of the Ministry of Education and Research (MER). The other body with responsibilities in university research is the National Council for Research in Higher Education Institutions (CNCSIS) − includes representatives of the scientific community in universities − is organized in 6 commissions specialized by S&T domains One of the priorities of the NASR is to strengthen and develop collaboration between R&D units and institutions, universities and enterprises, with a special view to: − support and accelerate the process of technological alignment and integration of enterprises, according to the technical requirements and regulations of the European Union; − increase the capacity to diffuse and develop advanced technologies in economy, in order to determine a raise of the share of medium and high technology products, competitive at international level. The Excellence in Research Programme (CEEX) run by NASR identified excellence poles in higher education research. Launched in 2005, as main tool for preparing Romanian research environment to the new FP7 running in 2007/2013, promote the partnerships between universities and industry, through RDI projects in high technology fields. CEEX ensures at the present: • the development of 57 postdoctoral programmes (54 in universities and 3 in research institutes). • 191 research projects for young researchers which have involved 794 PhD students, master students and PhD holders, all aged under 35 years; • Projects for postdoctoral programmes (41 postdoctoral students) • The return in Romania of 23 PhDs with doctoral or postdoctoral studies abroad; • Transversal mobility projects for 17 young PhD students; The publication in 2006 of the White Charter of RDI in Romania is dedicated to accredited universities and to the national RD institutes. The new legal framework for Doctoral and Postdoctoral programmes is also a very important step in supporting the improvement of university research. 24. What percentage of doctoral candidates take up research careers; are any measures being taken to increase the number of doctoral candidates taking up research careers? Please see section 23. 17 The social dimension 25. Describe any measures being taken in your country to widen access to quality higher education. The main objective of Romanian student support system is to create the necessary conditions to increase the access to higher education for socially underprivileged young people (especially for those coming from countryside) and to support the best students throughout their studies. 28% of total number of students receive a scholarship (excellence scholarship, study scholarship, social grant and research grant). There are a wide range of scholarships available for students and financed by the Romanian government: Study grants. The study grants are awarded on the basis of school record and less to the financial situation. In certain cases, these criteria can be matched. Social grants. Social grants are awarded on demand, on the basis of the financial situation of the student, of his/her family or of his/her legal tutors. Scholarships for countryside students. This grant is awarded on the basis of a contract between the student and the Ministry of Education and Research by which the student commit him/herself to teach in a countryside located education institution that specialty in which he/she has been trained, for a period of time at least equal to the period in which they received this scholarship. Excellence scholarships Scholarships for national or international Olympic students. This grant is awarded to those students having received awards or prizes in national or international contests during the 12th grade and who decide to continue their studies in Romanian higher education institutions. Research grants. From the Ministry of Education and Research budget, a maximum of 100 research grants are offered each year to young PhD students (younger than 35) upon a projects’ contest. The students can apply at the beginning of each academic year for a subsidized place in the student halls. From 304 student halls, 184 have been improved and rebuilding. All students from public HEIs benefit from subsidized expenses with public and local transport, support with health services and from support for acquisition of PCs, free of charge health services, help with travelling expenses etc. 26. Describe any measures to help students complete their studies without obstacles related to their social or economic background. Universities set up counselling centres for guidance. Students have access to a wide range of scholarships, according to their economic situation or to their study performance. In January 2007 the first national survey EUROSTUDENT 2006 on socio-economic conditions of students enrolled in Romanian public HEIs will be launched. The study will constitute a very important source of information on how the student support system currently in place is functioning and solving problems. 18 Mobility 27. Describe any measures being taken to remove obstacles to student mobility and promote the full use of mobility programmes. In the latest years, the obstacles relating to visa, cart credits, accommodation were gradually eliminated and the mobility of the Romanian students has improved. Also, the study periods are recognized at university level by the university Senate decision. The adaptation of the Romanian higher education to Bologna Process and implementing the EUROPASS documents will improve the attractiveness of our universities, leading to an increase in the number of incoming students in the next few years. Also, the Law no.316/2006, stipulates the right of the EU citizens to have equal access to all the forms and levels of Romanian higher education, especially in what concerns tuition fees amount, on the same conditions as those provided by law for Romanian citizens. This will come in force from the date of Romania’s accession to the EU, the 1st of January 2007. The student mobility within Erasmus increased as following: 2004-2005: 3134, 2005-2006: 3261. For the 2007-2008, Romania will not benefit from the PHARE funds, but the budget for the new integrated program Lifelong learning will increase compared with the Socrates programs budget. 28. Are portable loans and grants available in your country? If not, describe any measures being taken to increase the portability of grants and loans. In the case of Romania, the best example of portability is the regional portability of social support for mobile students within the regional exchange program CEEPUS. It is based on a multilateral agreement between participating countries and has as objective the promotion of university networks. The financing of the activities of this program is realized on the basis of reciprocity: - The transport expenses are supported by the home country, while the host country is awarding a monthly scholarship according to its national legislation. Another example of portability, Erasmus students studying abroad and enrolled in Romanian HEIs can beneficiate during their stay abroad of study or performance grants awarded by the Romanian government, but this is different depending on the higher education institution. 29. Describe any measures being taken to remove obstacles to staff mobility and promote the full use of mobility programmes. The staff mobility has been improved in accordance with to new challenges of the European Higher Education. 19 The attractiveness of the EHEA and cooperation with other parts of the world 30. Describe any measures being taken in your country to promote the attractiveness of the EHEA. Romania has concluded bilateral Conventions with the non EU countries in the field of: recognition of studies, exchange students, research, exchange teachers, which promote the Romanian Higher Education, in accordance with the Bologna Process. The Romanian students benefit from study scholarships abroad, in the world wide. The implementation of the Bologna Process improves the attractiveness of the EHEA in Romania. Also, the international conferences organized in Romania in the field of higher education promote the EHEA purposes and benefits to all participants from entire world. Future challenges 31. Give a