Give a brief description of providing cooperation between representatives of business and social stakeholders as a part of the Bologna process.

The years 2005 and 2006 were noted for good-oriented work hand-in-hand with the business community: round tables became a traditional venue for discussion of current problems in the development of higher professional education. The ministry, together with the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Russia, launched the formation of a nation-wide Russian system of qualifications—a crucial component for the development of professional standards that can then become a foundation for educational standards.

In order to ensure the connection between the content of professional education and the actual requirements of industry and the social sphere, the development of public partnerships, joint resolution of issues in the development of a tiered structure in higher professional education, the ministry has performed the following targets:

- developed and submitted to the Federal Duma of the RF Federal Assembly a draft decree on granting the right to representatives of employer associations to participate in forecasting and monitoring the labour market;

- submitted to the RF Government proposals “On measures to improve the professional education system by the participation of employers” that stipulates, together with the involvement of employers, in mapping up requirements for the skill level of education of graduates from professional education institutions and providing such measures as the participation of employers in elaborating rating systems for education institutions, participation of employers in Boards of Trustees, development of mechanisms for investing of employer funds in professional education, etc.;

- developed and approved, by RF Government directive no. 36 of 21 January 2005, the Regulations for the Development, Approval and Entry into Force of State Educational Standards for Professional Education, which stipulate the participation of employers in the development of such standards;

- decree of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science no. 152 of 30 December 2004 created the Council on State Educational Standards of Professional Education, which includes representatives of employer associations;

- the commission for external expert review of professional education institutions will now include representatives of employers. Besides, more than 80% of state attestation committees are currently chaired by managers of enterprises and organisations which employ graduates.

-

B. Key critical analysis issues, including issues regarding the calculation of earned points

The degree system

Give a brief description of achievements reached in the introduction of the first and second cycles of learning.

The RF Federal Law “On Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education” (O vysshem I poslevuzovskom professionalnom obrazovanii), no. 125-FZ of 22 August 1996 (article 6) defines the degrees of professional education in Russia as follows:

- Bachelor: study for at least 4 years;

- Specialist: study for at least 5 years;

- Master: study for at least 6 years;

In compliance with the current legislation, persons receiving documents certifying higher professional education of a certain degree have the right to continue studies in the educational programme of the subsequent degree.

In order to ensure the academic freedom of HEIs with respect to the formation of educational master’s programmes, as well as interdisciplinary and practice-oriented programmes, the Ministry of Education and Science has developed appropriate regulatory standards and letters:

More than 7 million students are currently enrolled in HEIs.

Bachelor’s studies: 7.0%

Master’s studies: 0.6%

Specialist studies: 92.4%