european and national context of lll

INSTRUMENTS AND TOOLS, PRINCIPLES AND FRAMEWORKS

FOR LIFELONG LEARNING IN BULGARIA

eng. Kapka Manasieva, ph.dVarna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”

European and national context of LLL

In terms of the common European tendencies, the main priorities of LLL in Bulgaria can be defined as:

• access to lifelong learning and expansion of education and training opportunities;

• opportunities for acquiring and improving key competencies;• activating social partners for inclusion in the process of LLL;• validation and certification of the results of non-formal and

informal learning;• high quality of education and training as well as access to

information;• qualitative services in terms of information, orientation,

guidance and counselling;• support for social inclusion;• training of trainers.

The regulatory framework in the field of education, training and employment promotion in Bulgaria includes elements of the LLL concept,

presented in the already existing legislation

• National strategy for lifelong learning for the period 2008 – 2013,

REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA adopted by protocol №42 of a meeting of the Council of Ministers

on 30 october 2008;

• Vocational Education and Training Act(1999);

• National Strategy for Continuing Vocational Training 2005-2010;

• School and Pre-school Education Development National Programme 2006-2015;

• Public Education Act; Higher Education Act;

• Level of Education, General Education Minimum and Curriculum Act ;

• Labour Code;

• Employment Promotion Act;

• Skilled Crafts Act;

• National Employment Action Plan; Updated Employment Strategy 2008-2015;

• National Strategy for Implementation of ICT in School Education 2005-2007;

• Strategy for National Youth Policy;

• Strategy for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minority Groups, etc.

The implementation of the Strategy for LLL on regional and local level will be supported by the measures within the framework of :

• the Regional Plans for Economic Development, as well as by those in the plans for municipal development, already designed for the period 2007-2013,

• in accordance with the National Plan for Development and

• the National Plan for Regional Development for the respective period,

• the Integrated Programme for LLL and

• the three Operational Programmes

– Human Resources Development,

- Competitiveness

- and Regional Development.

The strategy vision

By the year 2013 to achieve a significant growth of participation of the citizens in the Republic of Bulgaria in the process of lifelong learning, to provide them with free access to and suitable conditions for learning, so that they develop as individuals, responsible both to themselves and to society, who take full advantage of the opportunities of contemporary knowledge.

Objective

The objective of the Strategy is creating opportunities for the citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria to expand their personal and professional knowledge, skills and aptitudes in order to improve both their own wellfare and the competitiveness of the national economy by:

• enhancing the adaptability of each individual to economic and social changes;

• encouraging participation in all forms of LLL for further professional and personal development.

PRIORITY DIRECTIONS OF LIFELONG LEARNING

IMPROVING

THE OPPORTUNITIES

FOR ACCESSIBILITY

TO LIFELONG LEARNING

ENSURING

QUALITY AND

EFFECTIVENESS

OF LIFELONG LEARNING

Higher educationDirections for future development:

• Adapting the learning content in order to focus it on the education needs of students in accordance with the concept of measuring the learning outcomes of trainings in terms of degrees and professional qualifications.

• Ensuring transparency and flexibility of the process of education and its goals.• Orientation of the national education programmes to the demands of the labor

market in order to achieve competencies for work in competitive environment. while preserving optimal balance between fundamental scientific knowledge, applied-scientific research, theoretical preparation and practical training.

• Developing the education programmes for the different education degrees, as well as the forms of updating qualifications in such a way so that they become more interdisciplinary.

• Taking into account the needs of the market for specialists with non-traditional, specific knowledg, skills and competencies in more than one professional area. Shaping competencies for working with new technologies in a competitive environment.

• Implementing up-to-date module programmes in order to expand the scope of qualifications and encourage the free choice of students, post-graduate and Ph.D. students.

• Creating skills and attitudes for self-dependent planning of the continuing education and career progress.

Description of the VET System in Bulgaria

• Ministry for Education and Science

- responsibility for the entire school system and is the main policy-making body with budgetary responsibility and control for Initial Vocational Education and Training (IVET).

• Ministry of Labour and Social Policy

- issues a catalog of categorization of the occupations and the positions.

- both responsible for adult education, which can be considered as Continuous Vocational Education

and Training (CVET)

Vocational training in the context of LLL

Vocational training in Bulgaria is taking place both within the system of formal

education and training and through a number of forms of non-formal and informal learning.

The initial vocational training and the continuing vocational education are

associated with acquiring knowledge and skills on a part of a vocation, of a level of vocational

qualification and of new qualifications. Vocational training is conducted by vocational schools,

vocational secondary-schools, vocational colleges, higher schools, licensed centres for

vocational training, employers’ and employees’ organisations.

• According to data of the NSI from the year 2005, 179 vocational secondary schools and

vocational schools (38% of all) provide vocational training for adults, and 17 have licensed

independent Centres for Vocational Training. As of October 2007 the number of vocational

training centres is 470.

• In Bulgaria, the Vocational Education and Training Act (1999) established National Agency for

Vocational Education and Training (NAVET). In the present legislation the main laws are: the

Vocational Education and Training Law (VETL) and the Higher Education Law (HEL).

THE STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE VET SYSTEM

VET in Bulgaria is performed by institutions, functioning in the system of formal education and training and by institutions, providing informal training at the following levels:– higher education;– secondary education;– lower than the secondary education.

The structure of the Bulgarian VET system is complex and includes several different types of schools.

The typology and organization of the Bulgarian education system as a whole and vocational schools in particular is shown in Figure 1.

Directions for future development:

• Commiting to the existing vocational education and training to the needs of the sectors/industries.

• Strengthening the partnership and cooperation between the education and training institutions, social partners, regional and local authorities.

• Ensuring monitoring and control of the quality and effectiveness of vocational education and training.

• Creating opportunities for validation and certification of vocational knowledge, skills and competencies, acquired through non-formal and informal learning, by the system of formal vocational education and training.

• Ensuring free access to information about initiatives and learning resources, trainings, good practices from projects, etc.

VARNA FREE UNIVERSITYVARNA FREE UNIVERSITY“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”


1991 - founded by“Association Varna Free

University”

1995 г. – given the statute of institution of higher education by the 37th National Assembly

VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY “CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”

National Acreditation:2001 – Institutional accreditation with the highest grade - ‘Very good' for a period of 6 years2006 – Second Institutional accreditation with the highest grade - ‘Very good' for a period of 6 years

Recertified to the international standard ISO:

- 2001 – ISO 9001:1994

- 2004 – ISO 9001:2000

- 2007 – ISO 9001:2000

- 2010 – ISO 9001:2008

2009 – Award of DS LABEL

2010 – Award of ECTS LABEL

With highly qualified and

internationally convertible

academic staff

Competitive around the world and in the

European educational space

Responsible for the

permanent implementation of

the “total quality” philosophy

Research and highly

technological type

of university

Oriented towards students and their professional

suitability

Flexible and adaptive to the dynamics of labour market

and the needs of the society

European model of

private higher education

MISSION



Strategic priorities of VFU for the periodStrategic priorities of VFU for the period20201010-201-20122


Development of the academic profile of VFU, European standards in educational process and Lifelong Learning

Development of the academic profile of VFU, European standards in educational process and Lifelong Learning

Development of the scientific and research capacity. Sustainability of the quality of the educational and research work and university management

Development of the scientific and research capacity. Sustainability of the quality of the educational and research work and university management

Technological development, implementation of electronic and video training. Introducing distance education

Technological development, implementation of electronic and video training. Introducing distance education

Improvement of planning, organization and control over the educational process

Improvement of planning, organization and control over the educational process

Conformity of VFU structure to the new realities and requirements of the Law on Higher Education

Conformity of VFU structure to the new realities and requirements of the Law on Higher Education



World achievements of science and technologiesWorld achievements of science and technologies

Active and dynamically changing order of businessActive and dynamically changing order of business

Contemporary information and communication technologies

Contemporary information and communication technologies

International transfer of educational technologiesInternational transfer of educational technologies

Free access to the global information resourceFree access to the global information resource

Foreign language competence corresponding to the contemporary necessities

Foreign language competence corresponding to the contemporary necessities

around 10 000 students

900 lecturers and experts in over 50 areas of science

Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas – the first doctor honoris causa of VFU

Academic Yuhnovski - doctor honoris causa of VFU

Mr. Terry Davis - doctor honoris causa of VFU

VFU AREAS VFU AREAS OF HIGHER OF HIGHER

EDUCATION EDUCATION

VFU AREAS VFU AREAS OF HIGHER OF HIGHER

EDUCATION EDUCATION

Security and Security and protectionprotection

Security and Security and protectionprotection

SocialSocial, , economic economic and legal sciencesand legal sciences

SocialSocial, , economic economic and legal sciencesand legal sciences

Natural sciences,Natural sciences, MathsMaths and and Computer StudiesComputer Studies

Natural sciences,Natural sciences, MathsMaths and and Computer StudiesComputer Studies

Technical sciences Technical sciences Technical sciences Technical sciences

ArtsArtsArtsArts

Training at VFU

ACADEMIC PROFILE OF VFU “CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”

ACADEMIC PROFILE OF VFU “CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”

FACULTIESFACULTIES

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AND ADMINISTRATION

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICSAND POLITICS

DEPARTMENTSDEPARTMENTS SPECIALITIESSPECIALITIES

FACULTY OF LAW

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE

ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGMENT

PSYCHOLOGY

SECURITY AND PROTECTION

ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM

CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND INSTALLATIONS

ARTS

COMPUTER STUDIES

LEGAL SCIENCES

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSINTERNATIONAL RELATIONSINTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONSINTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONSINTERNATIONAL MARKETINGINTERNATIONAL MARKETINGACCOUNTING AND CONTROLACCOUNTING AND CONTROL

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONBUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONPUBLIC ADMINISTRATIONPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

COMPUTER STUDIESCOMPUTER STUDIES

PSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY

CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND INSTALLATIONSINSTALLATIONS,,COURT-EXPERT COURT-EXPERT ENGINEERINGENGINEERING

CHOREOGRAPHYCHOREOGRAPHY, , FASHION DESIGNFASHION DESIGN,,TEXTILE DESIGNTEXTILE DESIGN,,SPACE DESIGNSPACE DESIGN,,FINE ARTSFINE ARTS

NATIONAL SECURITY PROTECTION,NATIONAL SECURITY PROTECTION,CRIME PREVENTION AND PUBLIC CRIME PREVENTION AND PUBLIC ORDER PROTECTIONORDER PROTECTION

ARCHITECTUREARCHITECTURE

LAWLAW

The education ofThe education of VFU VFU ””Chernorizets HrabarChernorizets Hrabar”,”,based onbased on the the European Credit Transfer System European Credit Transfer System

((ECTSECTS))

• 2001-2002210397-IC-1-2000-1-BG-ERASMUS-EPS-1Experimental implementation of ECTS in the speciality “Computer Studies”

• 2001-200420090642-CP-1-2001-1-GRUNDTVIG-G1ECTS – LLL – European methodology for acknowledgment of previous education

• 2007 Visit of ECTS coordinators from the European Commission

• 2008 – 2009 Applying for ЕCTS and DS LABEL

• 2009Award of DS LABEL

• 2010Award of ECTS LABEL

ERASMUS MOBILITYERASMUS MOBILITYPARTNER UNIVERSITIESPARTNER UNIVERSITIES

• ISELL-LIEGE, BELGIUM

• ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS – ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM

• UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF INTERNATIONAL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, CZECH REPUBLIC

• ECOLE DES DIRIGEANTS ET CREATEURS D'ENTREPRISE, FRANCE

• INSTITUT D'ETUDES POLITIQUES DE GRENOBLE, FRANCE

• FACHHOCHSCHULE LAUSITZ, GERMANY

• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MODENA E REGGIO EMILIA, ITALY

• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI SIENA, ITALY

• UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO, ITALY

• INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, LATVIA

• KLAIPEDA BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE, LITHUANIA

• STANISLAW STASTIZ SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, POLAND

• POLISH OPEN UNIVERSITY- WARSAW, POLAND

• UNIVERSIDADE PORTUCALENSE – IDH, PORTUGAL

• UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA (UPC) TERRASSA, SPAIN

VARNA VARNA FREE FREE UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY

VARNA VARNA FREE FREE UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY

PortugalPortugal SpainSpainGreat BritainGreat Britain

RussiaRussia IsraelIsrael TurkeyTurkeyUSAUSA RomaniaRomania

DenmarkDenmark GermanyGermany

ItalyItalyPolandPoland

AustriaAustriaBelgiumBelgium

GreeceGreece

International contacts More than 540 partners from 50 countries

International contacts More than 540 partners from 50 countries

Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN)

European University Association

Association of Private Higher

EducationInstitutions

FranceFrance

LondonEconomics and

Management

LondonEconomics and

Management

CambridgeEuropean law

CambridgeEuropean law

GuildfordPublic Administration

GuildfordPublic Administration

RoehamptonPublic AdministrationInternational Tourism

RoehamptonPublic AdministrationInternational Tourism

Leeds MetECTS;

UPBEAT Benchmarking

Project

Leeds MetECTS;

UPBEAT Benchmarking

Project

University of SalfordUPBEAT Benchmarking

Project

University of SalfordUPBEAT Benchmarking

Project

OxfordInternational Tourism

Management

OxfordInternational Tourism

Management

Wrodaw Centre for Technologies

TransferPoland

REGINNET

Wrodaw Centre for Technologies

TransferPoland

REGINNET

BarcelonaEntrepreneurship and management of the small and medium sized enterprises

BarcelonaEntrepreneurship and management of the small and medium sized enterprises

University of Pitesti

ECTS – LLLSOCRATES

University of Pitesti

ECTS – LLLSOCRATES

University of the Aegean

Rhodes, Greece

University of the Aegean

Rhodes, Greece

South-East European

Research CentreThessaloniki,

Greece

South-East European

Research CentreThessaloniki,

Greece

StrasbourgRisk prevention and management under crises and calamities

conditions

StrasbourgRisk prevention and management under crises and calamities

conditions

PMKBuilding and

designing consortium - Austria

PMKBuilding and

designing consortium - Austria

Aristotle University of

Thessaloniki, Greece

PHARE-CBC

Aristotle University of

Thessaloniki, Greece

PHARE-CBC

University of Trento

ManagementComputer

Technologies

University of Trento

ManagementComputer

Technologies

Microsoft DNAAMicrosoft DNAA

InternationalInternationalProgrammesProgrammesInternationalInternationalProgrammesProgrammes

INTERREGINTERREG

IBM – DB2IBM – DB2

FPFP77

LLP: ERASMUSLLP: ERASMUSMobilityMobility

LLP: GRUNDTVIGLLP: GRUNDTVIG

LLP: JEAN-LLP: JEAN-MONNETMONNET

LLP: Leonardo daLLP: Leonardo daVinci, Transfer ofVinci, Transfer of

InnovationInnovation

COSTCOST

LLP: ERASMUSLLP: ERASMUSMultilateralMultilateral

Memorandum with the Ministry of Regional

Development and Public Works

Memorandum with the Ministry of Regional

Development and Public Works

Black Sea Universities Network BSUN

Black Sea Universities Network BSUN



Association “Culture and Tourism of the Bulgarian

North-East”

Association “Culture and Tourism of the Bulgarian

North-East”

Association “High Technology Incubator”

Association “High Technology Incubator”

Over 100 academic networksOver 100 academic networks

Agreements with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Agreements with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Association of Private Higher Education Institutions

Association of Private Higher Education Institutions

Bulgarian-Russian Educational Consortium - Moscow

Bulgarian-Russian Educational Consortium - Moscow

Varna Free University

“Chernorizets Hrabar”

VFUVFU “ “Chernorizets HrabarChernorizets Hrabar” – ” – PartnershipsPartnerships and participationsand participationsVFUVFU “ “Chernorizets HrabarChernorizets Hrabar” – ” –

PartnershipsPartnerships and participationsand participations

Participation in the project “Electronic government”

Participation in the project “Electronic government”

THE EUROPEAN BUSINESS – GUARANTEE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL APTITUDE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION GRADUATES AT VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY “CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”

VARNA FREE UNIVERSITYVARNA FREE UNIVERSITY“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR” VARNA FREE UNIVERSITYVARNA FREE UNIVERSITY“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”

EUROPEAN CLUSTER OF KNOWLEDGE AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

ACADEMIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN TOURISM

STREAMED EDUCATION

Projects

ACADEMY FOR LEADERS

TOGETHER WITH GRID INTERNATIONAL, GERMANY

under the patronage ofunder the patronage ofthe President of the Republic of the President of the Republic of BulgariaBulgaria Mr.Mr. Georgi ParvanovGeorgi Parvanov

under the patronage ofunder the patronage ofthe President of the Republic of the President of the Republic of BulgariaBulgaria Mr.Mr. Georgi ParvanovGeorgi Parvanov

BLACK SEAACADEMIC NETWORKS

BLACK SEAACADEMIC ASSOCIATION

Civil society

Branch organizations Business

organizations

Universities

Institutions,Authorities

Partners in projects

DigitalDigital librarylibrary--

educational educational complexcomplex

DigitalDigital librarylibrary--

educational educational complexcomplex

ELECTRONIC LIBRARY

Data base server with E-books and

manuals

ELECTRONIC LIBRARY

Data base server with E-books and

manuals

Electronic reading-room

Electronic reading-room

Electronic reading- room




Court roomCourt roomForeign language

teaching lab

Publishing house

Presentation Center

Specialized roomsSpecialized rooms

The “Maxima” hall

Specialized reading-room

Institute of TechnologyInstitute of Technology

University Medical - Psychological Complex

1. Office for physiological tests 2. Interactive hall for developing the

communicative skills and video training

3. Office for psychological consulting and psychotherapy

Student Student BusinessBusiness IncubatorIncubator

Training Accounting Training Accounting OfficeOffice

The opening of the The opening of the Euroqualification Euroqualification

CenterCenter

The conference roomThe conference roomof the of the

Euroqualification Euroqualification CenterCenter

Foreign Language Foreign Language Teaching and Teaching and

Certification CenterCertification Center

Educational and Sport complex

• Three study rooms with 483 student seats

• Multifunctional sports hall where Basketball, Futsal, Table tennis, etc. competitions can take place

• Gym• Free access for students 8 – 20 h.

The educational and sport complex is The educational and sport complex is

fully air-conditioned, with a lift and is fully air-conditioned, with a lift and is

provided with all utilities for disabled provided with all utilities for disabled

people. people.

University Media Center

RadioRadio “ “AcademikaAcademika””

University University Publishing Publishing

HouseHouse

TV centerTV center

StudentStudent е- е-medimedi@@

Russian Center

“New skillsfor new jobs” Internationalization

European model of private higher

education institutions

Commitment with business and labour market

necessities

Mobility of

ECTS credits

Integration of research and training

THE NEW PARADIGM OF VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY

Transdisciplinarity in curriculum

VARNA FREE UNIVERSITYVARNA FREE UNIVERSITY“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR” VARNA FREE UNIVERSITYVARNA FREE UNIVERSITY“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR”

http://www.vfu.bg

Thanks for your attention!Thanks for your attention!

european and national context of lll

Documents

regional development

vocational education

employment strategy

expansion of education

field of education

economic development

personal development

national economy