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E4 launches project report on the implementation of the ESGs

January 19, 2012

The E4 Group, ENQA, ESU, EUA and EURASHE, organised this week (17 January) a launch conference to present and discuss the findings of the project “Mapping the implementation and application of the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area” (MAP-ESG).

The conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, gathered more than 100 participants from universities and other higher education institutions, representatives of ministries, national rectors’ conferences, student organisations, quality assurance agencies and employers. After a presentation of the key findings and conclusions detailed in the final project report, much of the event was dedicated to a lively debate and discussion between participants and representatives of the project Steering Committee about the project findings, and how the ESGs could be further developed to continue supporting the enhancement of European higher education. The outcomes of this event will be put forward to the Bologna Follow Up Group (BFUG) in the preparation of the Bologna Ministerial Communiqué in April 2012.

ENQA, ESU, EUA and EURASHE recommend in the report that ministers of the EHEA countries mandate the E4 organisations to carry out, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, notably Education International, Business Europe, the Bologna Follow Up Group and the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), a careful revision of the ESG in order to improve their clarity, applicability and usefulness.

The EC supported MAP-ESG project was launched in 2010 to gather information on how the ESGs have been implemented and applied in the Bologna countries and to launch a discussion on their future role and development. It is the first overarching study on the implementation of the ESGs, and a thorough analysis of their impact on European higher education.

The full report is available for download here.