The University's European Unit together with the Dutch Embassy in Malta will be organising a Bologna to Bergen Conference called "The Implications of the Bologna Process and the Lisbon Statement for Higher Education Institutions" on November 12 at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.

The aim of the conference is to convey the new challenges set out by the Bologna-Berlin Communiqué of Ministers, which European Higher Education institutions are entrusted to undertake.

The one-day event will tackle issues pertaining to the Bologna Process and the Lisbon Strategy, and its relevance to higher education institutions. The conference will provide participants with an overview of the progress that has been made and the new initiatives that must be undertaken following the meeting of education ministers held in Berlin last year. It will centre on the individual actions to be adopted following this important meeting that will enable European member states to pursue further action and closer co-operation in the context of the Bologna Process.

There will also be a number of workshops which will focus on specific elements of the implementation process of the Bologna Declaration.

To give the Bologna Process further momentum, European institutions must commit themselves to intermediate priorities for the next two years. These specific priority elements include strengthening efforts to promote effective quality assurance systems, to step up effective use of the system based on two cycles and to improve the recognition system of degrees and periods of studies. Expert speakers from the Netherlands will be invited to attend this conference.

One should confirm one's attendance by contacting Annhelica Scerri on 2340-2204 or e-mail annhelica.scerri@um.edu.mt.