Adopting European Standards in Education

Since independence, Ukraine has been developing ever closer ties with Europe. This European integration has left its imprint on all spheres of Ukrainian society. At the same time, rebuilding the economy has left many Ukrainians in need of social support.

A great opportunity for European integration was made possible by Ukraine's joining in the Bologna Process of educational reform. It has brought Ukraine closer to Europe and has opened new prospects for a civilized dialogue, mutual understanding and intercultural communication.

The process of the introduction of the Bologna system in Ukrainian educational space is still an experiment which encounters certain difficulties and contains a number of contradictions which are the result of the existence of various educational systems in Ukraine.

Some issues related to the Bologna process in Ukraine are highlighted in this part of the Chapter.

Bologna Process: Success or Failure?

An adapted article from Yulia Lytvyn (2009). “Bologna process: Failure or fresh start?” The Day, 39, 24 December.

Access: http://www.day.kiev.ua.

More information about the Bologna Process [The official Bologna Process website July 2007 – June 2010; online; cited: 11 April 2011].

Access: http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/.

It has been four years since the start of the Bologna process in Ukraine. However, students as the immediate participants of this educational innovation cannot see either noticeable progress or the long-awaited results. Professors also maintain that the Ukrainian instruments for implementing the European educational system will not work; moreover, they have nothing to do with the real Bologna system of education.