09/99/8.8

IWG Report 25th January 2009

The group met following the last main committee meeting. It was hoped to advance a draft policy statement for the EPC on Bologna.  However, there were a wide range of views around the table, and this did not prove possible at this time.

It was agreed that more information was needed over a wide range of types of HE Institution, as different types of University would most likely have a different responses.  It was left to the Chairman to devise an appropriate questionnaire to be sent to VC’s, which was done.  However, the Chairman expressed concerns to the President and Vice President about how the IWG should approach Vice Chancellors, as many would not be aware of the EPC’s activities.  It was agreed by the President that the External Affairs Group should approach VC’s first, followed by the IWG’s questionnaire.  We are awaiting the approach from the EAG before proceeding.

The QAA has still not yet published its Bologna Self-Certification document.  This was originally supposed to be published by October, then got put back to November, then it was supposed to be out in January, but this looks unlikely now.  We know from inside information that the document is proving to be extremely difficult to draft.  For, as we know, it has got to reconcile two virtually impossible positions – that of the ENWI Countries and Bologna, particularly on the issue of ECTS and Credit equivalents.  The document also has to have full Ministerial approval, which is likely to be where the delays are occurring.

Clive.