The Accredited University of Tomorrow: Accreditation, Creativity and International Recognition

Abstract

Numerous challenges have impeded the Bologna process which was designed to provide guidelines for the establishment of appropriate academic standards at the university level. The Bologna process was expected to include a set of standards for the creation of independent accrediting bodies to provide accreditation for universities and higher colleges of education in the European Union, so that the work of students might be recorded and accepted as transferable among universities accepting the Bologna process. This paper provides initially a reflection on the nature and importance of accreditation standards. This follows consideration of the demands for transparency and accountability and consideration of the problems of recognizing transferable credits which are faced by higher educational institutions in Europe. The value and the benefits which derive from acceptable standards for institutional accreditation are identified. Identification is then followed by description of the five standards which will move the accreditation introverts in Europe to the more extravert approach being taken by universities in the United States and the rest of the world.