Harmonisation of  Higher Education Systems Following the signing of the Bologna Declaration  by European Ministers of Education in 1999, higher education institutions started a process of reform aimed at creating overall convergence at European level.   The process recognises that in spite of their valuable differences, European higher education systems are facing common internal and external challenges which can be met through common European action.
Some of the objectives of the action programme set out in the Declaration are the adoption of a common framework of readable and comparable degrees; the introduction of two main cycles (undergraduate and postgraduate)  in all countries; the introduction of ECTS-compatible credit systems as well as the elimination of obstacles to the free mobility of students, academics and administrators.
As part of an internal harmonisation process undertaken by the University of Malta, and following discussions over the last 18 months with all the stakeholders, the Senate has approved new regulations governing all undergraduate awards, thereby establishing common University policies in a number of areas, such as the number of credits required for University awards, assessments and re-assessments, progression from one year to the next, as well as the introduction of the European Credit Transfer System.
Most courses at the University of Malta have been running for many years on a local credit system, which is compatible with the principles of ECTS.  Following Senate’s decision, it is envisaged that all courses, except Medicine & Surgery and Dental Surgery, commencing in the next academic year (2003/2004) will adopt the new ECTS system.   This will further encourage European students to come to Malta, thus enriching the University’s cross-fertilisation in the academic field.  It will also make the University’s degrees more easily understandable by higher education institutions and employers in Europe and elsewhere.
Professor Estela Pereira from the Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, and Professor Dr. Arne Van der Gen from the Universiteit Leiden, The Netherlands, two ECTS/DS Counsellors,  were recently in Malta to monitor the University’s implementation of the European Credit Transfer System and to discuss with academics at the University of Malta issues arising out of this exercise.    The visiting counsellors held meetings with senior University officials as well as with academic representatives from the University’s faculties and institutes and with the European Unit.
In line with current discussions at European level, the University is also planning to introduce  the Diploma Supplement - a detailed transcript of academic record - which will be issued to all students at the end of their course.  Such a document would supplement the information the University  already provides in its  transcripts.   The Diploma Supplement  will be particularly useful for  students wishing to pursue further studies abroad or who might wish to take up employment in other European countries.
21 May 2003