The EU in support of the Bologna process

The Bologna Process - starting with the Sorbonne and Bologna Declarations - was the response of national governments to the problems arising from the EU-driven mobility of European students and graduates: many higher education ministers agreed to pursue the convergence of their systems in order to facilitate institutional student exchanges and the mutual recognition of degrees and periods of study in Europe. Countries chose an intergovernmental route to tackle these issues, which is also emphasised by the governing structure: two countries co-chair the process, with a rotation every 6 months, while a third country volunteers to host the Ministerial Conference and provides the secretariat. Today, the Bologna Process is being implemented in 48 countries, which together make up the European Higher Education Area.