Bucharest Hosts International Bologna Process Symposium: Advancing Higher Education Reform Across Borders
Bucharest, Romania – 1–2 October 2025 — More than 70 higher education leaders, policy makers, and experts from across Europe, Central Asia, the Mediterranean, and beyond gathered in Bucharest for the Bologna Process Symposium, organised within the framework of the SPHERE Programme (Support to Higher Education Reform Experts).
Hosted by the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, the two-day symposium brought together representatives of the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG), Higher Education Reform Experts (HEREs), and National Erasmus+ Offices (NEOs) to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and future directions of the Bologna Process, as well as its global dimension and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Key Highlights
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Opening session featured addresses by the Rector of POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Representative of the European Commission, DG EAC, and the SPHERE team, setting the tone for discussions on reform, collaboration, and innovation.
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Achievements and challenges of the Bologna Process were analysed by experts from Eurydice, followed by a high-level panel including BFUG Vice-Chair, national representatives, and SPHERE team members.
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HERE country experiences were presented by experts from Moldova, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, and Georgia, highlighting how Bologna reforms impact national systems and institutions.
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The global dimension of the Bologna Process was explored in a dynamic fishbowl session with UNESCO, ENQA, CIMEA, and HEREs from Algeria, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, focusing on cooperation with Africa and Asia and alignment with the SDGs.
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Renewal of European instruments was addressed through sessions on revising the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG) and the ECTS Users’ Guide, with contributions from European higher education associations and the European Commission.
Kyrgyzstan’s Participation
Representing the Kyrgyz Republic, the symposium welcomed:
- Higher Education Reform Expert, Rector of KSTU
- Higher Education Reform Expert, Rector of Adam University
- National Erasmus+ Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan
Their contribution underscored Kyrgyzstan’s active engagement in higher education reforms, peer learning, and strengthening international cooperation in line with Bologna Process principles.
Purpose and Outcomes
The symposium served as a platform for peer learning on higher education policy reforms, enabling participants to share experiences, compare approaches, and identify future priorities. It also reinforced the synergies between EU higher education policies and the Bologna Process, while feeding into upcoming Bologna-related events across HERE countries in 2025.
At the closing session, organisers highlighted the continued relevance of the Bologna Process as a model for cooperation, fostering quality assurance, recognition, mobility, and inclusiveness in higher education globally.
About SPHERE
The SPHERE Programme is an initiative of the European Commission and its European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), implemented by Obreal (Coordinator) and the European University Association (EUA). It provides centralised support to the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) Network, nominated by countries across the EU Neighbourhood and Central Asia, and coordinated by National Erasmus+ Offices. SPHERE organises training, study visits, and conferences to build capacity for higher education reform in alignment with EU priorities.
Agenda: SPHERE Programme Bologna Process Symposium_1-2 October 2025
