The Bologna Process and the Republic of Belarus: Aims, Difficulties and Results

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Abstract

The article covers goal-setting, difficulties and results of Bologna principles implementation in Belarus. It aims to identify the goals set by Belarus in joining the Bologna Process; to what extent Belarus experienced difficulties typical for the EHEA member-states; and what were the results of the Bologna Process for Belarus. The emphasis is placed on the political side of Belarus participation in the Bologna Process: the country's foreign policy goals in this project, the influence of political factors on the implementation of Bologna principles and the suspension of the country's participation in the EHEA. The study is based on the analysis of the official documents adopted by the EHEA and Belarus. It is concluded that joining the EHEA was in line with foreign policy and economic interests of Belarus, and also pursued academic goals. Belarus experienced difficulties typical for EHEA newcomers, which were further complicated by combining Bologna reforms with continuity in higher education system and multi-vector educational cooperation. During the participation in the Bologna Process, Belarus managed to increase the export of educational services, partly bring the national system of higher education in line with European practices and ensure integration into the global educational space. However, recent changes in the EHEA made it impossible to further implement Belarusian goals in this format. As a result, strengthening of educational cooperation between Belarus and Russia, other CIS countries, China and, possibly, countries of the global South may be expected.

About the authors

A. M Pogorelskaya

National research Tomsk state university

Email: pogorelskaya@mail.tsu.ru
Candidate od Sciences (History), Associate Professor World Politics Department Tomsk, Russia

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