In search of a Ukrainian term for Bologna process acquis

Abstract

The purpose of article is to justify the rationale for applying the term «Bologna acquis» to nominate the corps of documents generated in the course of Bologna process that resulted in the formation of European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and community of higher education stakeholders who share and operate by Bologna values, principles, norms and guidelines. The author compares «Bologna acquis» with acquis communautaire, Council of Europe acquis, Schengen acquis, proves that all four have a lot of in common and draws a conclusion that the use of term «Bologna acquis» is acceptable and reasonable. The article demonstrates that Bologna acquis - similar to acquis communautaire and Council of Europe acquis - is divided into two large types: those that have a binding character and those of a non-binding nature. Nevertheless, non-binding Bologna acquis cannot be ignored by the community to whom it is addressed and is to be considered in the course of reforms and modernization of national systems of higher education and higher education institutions as its constituents. Comparison of Bologna acquis with acquis communautaire, Council of Europe acquis, Schengen acquis is the novelty of the article, as well as delineation of similar features between the four above mentioned acquis. The author mentions that the purpose of all four (among other things) is the formation of a community that voluntarily participates in the generation of acquis and agrees to live by its rules and norms. One of conclusions has practical significance: while formation of EHEA and its community simultaneously takes place at the supranational, national and institutional levels, the speed of integration of each separate higher education institution may differ; accordingly different scenarios could emerge: a certain higher education institution may integrate with EHEA faster than the national system of higher education in general, and vice versa: while the national systems of higher education has advanced in integration with EHEA, some higher education institutions will be lagging behind reforms at the national level.