Perceptions of Higher Education Reforms

Transcription

1 The Gallup Organization Flash EB N o Innobarometer on Clusters Flash Eurobarometer European Commission Perceptions of Higher Education Reforms Survey among teaching professionals in higher education institutions, in the 27 Member States, and Croatia, Iceland, Norway and Turkey Summary Flash Eurobarometer 192 The Gallup Organization Fieldwork: January/February 2007 Report: March 2007 This survey was requested by Directorate-General Education and Culture and coordinated by Directorate-General Communication Analytical Report, page 1 This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.

2 Flash Eurobarometer Series #198 Survey on Higher Education Reforms Special Target Survey conducted by The Gallup Organization, Hungary upon the request of Directorate-General Education and Culture and coordinated by Directorate-General Communication This document does not reflect the views of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors. THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION

3 The Gallup Organization Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform Table of contents Table of contents... 3 Introduction... 4 Opinions about the higher education reform and the need for quality standards... 5 Unlocking the potential of European universities... 8 Views on the governance and funding of Europe s universities The levels of confidence on the involvement of several bodies in higher education reform Summary, page 3

4 Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform The Gallup Organization Introduction The creation of a Europe of knowledge has been a prime objective for the European Union (EU) since the Lisbon European Council of March The Lisbon Agenda calls for efforts from a wide range of players, including of course the universities. They are seen to have a particularly important role to play, because of their twofold traditional vocation of research and teaching and their increasing role in the complex process of innovation. The creation of a Europe of knowledge is a source of opportunities for the universities, but it is also a major challenge. To implement the Lisbon Agenda, the EU has embarked upon a series of actions and initiatives in the areas of research and education. One example in the area of education is the work to strengthen the convergence of higher education systems, in line with the Bologna process. In June 1999, 29 European Ministers of Higher Education met in Bologna to lay the basis for the establishment of a European Higher Education Area by 2010 and the promotion of a European system of higher education worldwide. In the Bologna Declaration, the ministers affirmed their intention to: adopt a system of easily readable and comparable degrees adopt a system with two main cycles (undergraduate/graduate) establish a system of credits (such as the European Credit Transfer and Accommodation System, ECTS) promote mobility by overcoming obstacles promote European co-operation in quality assurance promote European dimensions in higher education The Ministers of Higher Education of the Bologna Signatory States met again in 2001 (Prague), 2003 (Berlin) and 2005 (Bergen), taking note of progress made so far and formulating additional priorities. European higher education institutions are currently in the implementation phase of Bologna and Lisbon reforms and the European Commission s Directorate-General for Education and Culture wanted to hear the thoughts of teaching professionals about the Bologna Process and the Lisbon Strategy. The specific target group for this survey are teaching professionals in higher education institutions in the 27 Member States of the EU, Croatia, Iceland, Norway and Turkey. This Flash Eurobarometer was carried out between the 23 rd of January and 23 rd of February Almost 5,800 randomly-selected teaching professionals of higher education institutions were interviewed in the 27 Member States of the EU, Croatia, Iceland, Norway and Turkey. The survey was primarily carried out by telephone, with WebCATI (web-based computer assisted telephone interviewing). To correct for sampling disparities, a post-stratification weighting of the results was implemented. For full survey details, including technical references and methodological limitations, please read the analytical report. page 4

5 The Gallup Organization Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform Opinions about the higher education reform and the need for quality standards A core condition for the success of the Lisbon Strategy is the modernisation of Europe s universities. The Bologna process is driving reforms in higher education structures, particularly in relation to the introduction of the three cycle structure of degrees and the enhancement of quality assurance. Almost half of teaching professionals agree that the introduction of the three cycle system will improve, or has improved, the quality of education. Nevertheless, one-third would have preferred to keep the one-tier system; i.e. no distinction between Bachelors and Masters. A large majority of respondents in the EU27 acknowledge the need for European quality standards for higher education and European quality labels for institutions and programmes. Almost half of respondents agree that first cycle graduates will find a suitable job, however, a similar number feel they should first follow a Masters programme in the same field of study before trying to enter the labour market. Agreement with statements regarding the higher education system Question 1 % of disagree and strongly disagree % of agree and strongly agree disagree agree DK/NA There is a need for European quality standards for higher education The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) should be used in all programmes of study There is a need for European quality labels for certifying the quality of institutions and programmes First cycle graduates (Bachelor) will find suitable jobs on the labour market The introduction of the three cycle system (Bachelor- Master-Doctor) will improve (or has improved) the quality of education First cycle graduates (Bachelor) should follow a master programme in the same field of study before entering the labour market The introduction of the three cycle system (bachelormaster-doctor) will improve (or has improved) the quality of research training for doctoral candidates It would have been better if the old one-tier system (without a split in Bachelor and Master) was kept Q1. Could you please tell me how much do you agree with the following statements regarding the higher education system: do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? %, Base: all respondents, EU27 Individual country results Respondents in the NMS12 countries are more likely to welcome the introduction of the three cycle system than those in the EU15. German, Hungarian, Italian and Estonian interviewees are the most likely to agree that it would have been better if the old one-tier system was kept. Summary, page 5

6 Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform The Gallup Organization Germany and the UK have the lowest percentages (around 50%) of respondents agreeing there is a need for European quality labels to certify the quality of institutions and programmes. Irish teaching professionals are the most likely (82%) to believe that first cycle graduates will find a suitable job; whereas only 34% of respondents in Italy believe this to be the case. It would have been better if the old one-tier system (without a split in Bachelor and Master) was kept disagree agree DK/NA DE EE HU IT SI PT AT HR ES EU15 EU25 EU27 PL NMS10 NMS12 CZ LU EL SK NL BE NO BG TR FI RO DK LT IE UK LV SE FR CY MT IC Q1. Could you please tell me how much do you agree with the following statements regarding the higher education system: do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? %, Base: all respondents, by country Results by type of teaching professionals Teaching experience. Respondents with more than 30 years experience are the least likely to agree that the introduction of the three cycle system will improve, or has improved, the quality of education. Field of specialisation. Teaching professionals in the field of engineering are the least positive about the introduction of the three cycle system. Teaching professionals in the field of teacher training and medical studies or nursing, on the contrary, are the most positive about the introduction of the new system. Employment outlook. Respondents in the fields of engineering and economic studies are the most likely to say that first cycle graduates will find a suitable job (1% and 4%, respectively), while respondents in the fields of social sciences and other hard sciences are more inclined to say that first cycle graduates should follow a Master programme before entering the labour market. Type of institution. Teaching professionals in institutions providing only Master programmes are the least likely to agree that the introduction of the three-cycle system has improved the quality of education and the quality of research training for doctoral students. page

7 The Gallup Organization Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform Agreement with statements regarding the higher education system Question 1 Base: all respondents, EU27 % agree QUESTION: Q1. Could you please tell me how much do you agree with the following statements regarding the higher education system: do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? There is a need for European quality standards for higher education There is a need for European quality labels for certifying the quality of institutions and programmes The ECTS should be used in all programmes of study The introduction of the three cycle system will improve (or has improved) the quality of education The introduction of the three cycle system will improve (or has improved) the quality of training for doctoral candidates It would have been better if the old one-tier system was kept First cycle graduates will find suitable jobs on the labour market First cycle graduates should follow a Master programme in the same field of study before entering the labour market EU YEARS TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION -10 years years years POSITION Rector / Head of Institution Dean / Director of studies Full professor Lecturer Assistant professor Doctoral candidate Other teaching staff FIELD Engineering Business and economic studies Languages Law Teacher training Medical studies and nursing Other social sciences Other hard sciences Other humanities TYPE OF INSTITUTION only Bachelor degrees only Master degrees Bachelor and Master degrees Master and Doctorate degrees all degrees Summary, page 7

8 Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform The Gallup Organization Unlocking the potential of European universities To unlock the enormous potential of European universities, the Bologna process aims to introduce flexible and modernised curricula that correspond to the needs of the labour market and focus on skills in communications, networking, entrepreneurship and teamworking. It also aims to enhance student mobility and refocus courses to allow greater participation at later stages of the life-cycle. Almost three out of four teaching professionals agree that study and training programmes should encompass more generic competences, such as communication, teamwork and entrepreneurship, and be adapted to meet labour market needs in a better way. Respondents agree that student mobility should be an obligatory part in the curriculum for doctoral candidates (5%) and for students in general (58%). A large majority of teaching professionals in the EU (87%) agree that universities should open up (their doors) for adult learners. Agreement with statements regarding the higher education system - Question 2 % of disagree and strongly disagree % of agree and strongly agree disagree agree DK/NA Universities should open up and also serve adult learners Study and training programmes should encompass more generic competences like communication, teamwork, entrepreneurship More opportunities should be created for double and joint degrees, at Bachelor and Master level Study programmes need to adapt more to labour market needs Mobility should be an obligatory part in the curriculum for doctoral candidates Mobility should be an obligatory part in the curriculum for all students Double and joint degrees should also be promoted at doctoral level Q2. I am going to read more statements about the higher education system. Again, could you please tell me how much do you agree with these statements: do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? %, Base: all respondents, EU27 Individual country results In the Netherlands, 53% of respondents disagree with the statement that study and training programmes should encompass more generic competences, and 51% disagree with the statement that study programmes need to adapt more to labour market needs. Respondents in the NMS12 Member States are more likely than respondents in the EU15 to think that mobility should be an obligatory part of the curriculum. page 8

9 The Gallup Organization Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform Less than one out of three teaching professionals in the UK agree that mobility should be an obligatory part of the curriculum for students. Denmark, Slovakia and Latvia are the only countries where less than one out of two teaching professionals agree that more opportunities should be created for double and joint degrees at the Bachelor and Master level. The highest percentages of respondents that disagree that universities should open up for adult learners are found in Germany (19%), the Netherlands (18%) and Luxembourg (18%). Mobility should be an obligatory part in the curriculum for doctoral candidates disagree agree DK/NA CZ HR SK IT BG LV SI MT NMS12 RO NMS10 HU LT PL TR ES EL PT FR NO IC EE AT EU27 DK EU25 FI EU15 SE BE DE LU IE CY NL UK Q2. I am going to read more statements about the higher education system. Again, could you please tell me how much do you agree with these statements: do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? %, Base: all respondents, by country Results by type of teaching professionals Position in higher education institution. Rectors and Deans are the most likely to agree that study and training programmes should encompass more generic competences (90% and 87%, respectively, agree with this statement). Field of specialisation, teaching professionals in the various fields, hold different opinions: o Those in teacher training and other humanities are the most likely to agree that universities should serve adult learners o Those in engineering and business are the most likely to agree that study programmes should encompass more generic competences o Those in medical studies are the most likely to agree that study programmes need to adapt more to labour market needs. Type of institution, teaching professionals in higher education institutions also have different opinions: o Those with only Bachelor programmes are the most likely to agree that study programmes need to be adapted to labour market needs o Those with only Master programmes are most likely to agree that more opportunities should be created for double and joint degrees at the Bachelor and Master level. Summary, page 9

10 Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform The Gallup Organization Agreement with statements regarding the higher education system Question 2 Base: all respondents, EU27 % agree QUESTION: Q2. I am going to read more statements about the higher education system. Again, could you please tell me how much do you agree with these statements: do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? Universities should open up and also serve adult learners Study and training programmes should encompass more generic competences like communication, teamwork, entrepreneurship Study programmes need to adapt more to labour market needs More opportunities should be created for double and joint degrees, at Bachelor and Master level Double and joint degrees should also be promoted at doctoral level Mobility should be an obligatory part in the curriculum for doctoral candidates Mobility should be an obligatory part in the curriculum for all students EU YEARS TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION -10 years years years POSITION Rector / Head of Institution Dean / Director of studies Full professor Lecturer Assistant professor Doctoral candidate Other teaching staff FIELD Engineering Business and economic studies Languages Law Teacher training Medical studies and nursing Other social sciences Other hard sciences Other humanities TYPE OF INSTITUTION only Bachelor degrees only Master degrees Bachelor and Master degrees Master and Doctorate degrees all degrees page 10

11 The Gallup Organization Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform Views on the governance and funding of Europe s universities Modernising Europe s higher education institutions implies resolving some of the governance and funding problems. Over-regulation of university life can hinder modernisation and efficiency. Most higher education institutions also have to cope with increasing budgetary constraints. The Commission wants to give universities greater autonomy and accountability, and to link funding to related outputs. Four out of five teaching professionals of higher education institutions in the EU27 agree that universities are in need of better internal management. Three out of four teaching professionals also agree that universities need more autonomy from public authorities. Three out of four respondents agree that partnerships with businesses will reinforce universities, and 8% think that competition between universities will lead to better quality. Slightly less than three out of four respondents agree that private funding would help universities to gain extra income and to perform better and 8% also agree that student fees are an acceptable source of extra income for universities. Agreement with statements regarding governance and funding options in the higher education system % of disagree and strongly disagree % of agree and strongly agree Universities need to interact more with society for knowledge sharing and fostering innovation Student fees should be accompanied by support for lessadvantaged students Universities should be allowed to select and refuse students Universities are in need of better internal management Universities need more autonomy from public authorities Partnerships with business will reinforce universities More private funding would help universities to gain extra income and perform better Student fees are acceptable as a source of extra income for universities Competition between universities will lead to improvement of quality Universities should be publicly funded and not seek more private funding Universities need stronger guidance from public authorities 75 disagree agree DK/NA Q3. And lastly, I am going to read some statements about governance and funding options in the higher education system. Please tell me how much do you agree with these statements: do you agree strongly, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? %, Base: all respondents, EU27 Individual country results Over 90% of respondents in Greece, Turkey and Malta think that universities need more autonomy from public authorities. However, over 33% of interviewees in Portugal, Italy, Spain and Croatia agree that universities need stronger guidance from those same public authorities. Summary, page 11

12 Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform The Gallup Organization Belgium has the lowest percentage (42%) of teaching professionals who support competition between universities as a way to improve quality, and only 44% of its respondents agree that universities should be allowed to select and refuse students. Danish teaching professionals are the most likely (77%) to agree that universities should be publicly funded. Respondents from the Czech Republic, on the other hand, are the most likely to disagree (77%) with this statement. The NMS12 countries are the ones most likely to see student fees as a source of extra income. More private funding would help universities to gain extra income and perform better disagree agree DK/NA RO MT CY TR PT BG IT CZ LV LT SK NMS12 PL EE NMS10 HR IC ES DE AT EU27 IE EU25 SI EU15 FR LU HU UK FI SE EL NL BE DK NO Q3. And lastly, I am going to read some statements about governance and funding options in the higher education system. Please tell me how much do you agree with these statements: do you agree strongly, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? %, Base: all respondents, by country Results by type of teaching professionals Teaching experience. Teaching professionals with longer teaching experience appear to be the most willing to accept private funding and student fees as extra income sources, and they are also more willing to allow universities to select and refuse students. Position in higher education institution. Rectors and Deans are the most likely to: o o State that partnerships with the business world will reinforce universities (8% and 81%, respectively, agree with this statement) and that competition between universities will lead to an improvement of the quality (78% and 73%, respectively, agree with this statement). Agree that private funding and student fees are acceptable as extra income sources. Fields of specialisation. o Teaching professionals in engineering and economic studies are the most likely to agree that partnerships with businesses will reinforce universities. o Respondents in the field of teacher training are the least likely to agree that universities should be allowed to select and refuse students. Only 8% of respondents in teacher training agree with this statement compared to, for example, almost nine out of 10 respondents (88%) in engineering. page 12

13 The Gallup Organization Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform Agreement with statements regarding governance and funding options in higher education Base: all respondents, EU27 % agree Q3. I am going to read some statements about governance and funding options in the higher education system. Please tell me how much do you agree with these statements: do you agree strongly, agree, disagree or strongly disagree? Universities are in need of better internal management Universities need more autonomy from public authorities Universities need stronger guidance from public authorities Universities need to interact more with society for knowledge sharing and fostering innovation Partnerships with business will reinforce universities Competition between universities will lead to improvement of quality More private funding would help universities to gain extra income and perform better Universities should be publicly funded and not seek more private funding Student fees should be accompanied by support for less-advantaged students Student fees are acceptable as a source of extra income for universities EU YEARS TEACHING -10 years years years POSITION Rector/Head Institution Dean/Director studies Full professor Lecturer Assistant professor Doctoral candidate Other teaching staff Universities should be allowed to select and refuse students FIELD Engineering Economic studies Languages Law Teacher training Medical studies/nursing Other social sciences Other hard sciences Other humanities TYPE OF INSTITUTIO N only Bachelor degrees only Master degrees Bachelor and Master Master and Doctorate all degrees Summary, page 13

14 Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform The Gallup Organization The levels of confidence on the involvement of several bodies in higher education reform European higher education institutions and their (many) partners are currently in the implementation phase of educational reform. Teaching professionals in higher education institutions in the EU27 countries have: o o The most confidence in their own faculty, followed by the university leadership and the national Rectors conference or national associations of universities. The least confidence in the involvement of private enterprises in the higher education reform; 32% of respondents report to have no confidence at all in private enterprises as a partner to be involved in the higher education reform. In addition, 19% of respondents report to have no confidence at all in professional associations. One out of four respondents have no confidence at all in the European Commission s involvement. Involvement in the higher education reform Full confidence Some confidence No confidence at all DK/NA Your own faculty University leadership (Rector - Board) National Rectors' conference - National association of universities European University Association Professional associations European Commission National or regional authorities Private enterprises Q4. Several bodies could be involved in higher education reform. I will list a couple if them. Could you indicate how much confidence do you have in their involvement: do you have %, Base: all respondents, EU27 Individual country results Respondents in Luxembourg are the least confident about the involvement of their own faculty in the higher education reform (35%) and they are also among the lowest to be confident about the university leadership s involvement (22%). While 38% of NMS12 respondents state they have full confidence in the European university associations involvement in higher education reform, the EU15 figure is 19%. page 14

15 The Gallup Organization Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform In Greece, the largest number of respondents (4%) have no confidence in national or regional authorities, and in Germany, 47% of respondents have no confidence in the European Commission. We find that 1% of teaching professionals in Greece and 57% of teaching professionals in Luxembourg have no confidence at all in the involvement of private enterprises in the higher education reform. European Commission Full confidence Some confidence No confidence at all DK/NA RO IT MT CY LT BG SK PT TR SI HR NMS12 N EL ES LV NMS10 N CZ EU27 PL EU25 HU EU15 EU FR BE IE AT NL EE SE LU NO DK IC FI DE UK Q4. Several bodies could be involved in higher education reform. I will list a couple if them. Could you indicate how much confidence do you have in their involvement: do you have %, Base: all respondents, by country Results by type of teaching professionals Teaching experience. Respondents with more teaching experience have the most confidence about the involvement in the higher education reform of the university leadership, the national Rectors conference, the European University Association and the European Commission. Respondents who have been teaching for less than 20 years, however, put more faith in the involvement of their own faculty. Position in higher education institution. The Rectors and Deans are more confident than the other teaching professionals about the involvement of their own faculty, the university leadership and the national Rectors conference in the higher education reform. Doctoral candidates tend to be more supportive about the involvement in the higher education reform of national and regional authorities and professional associations. Field of specialisation. Teaching professionals in the field of teacher training are the most confident about the involvement of their own faculty, the university leadership and the national Rectors conference. Respondents in medical studies and nursing prefer the involvement of the national or regional authorities and of the European Commission, whereas respondents in the field of engineering give more support to the involvement of professional associations and private enterprises. Type of institution. Respondents of higher education institutions that only grant Master degrees are the most confident about the involvement of their own faculty; however, they have less belief (than others) about the involvement of most other partners. Summary, page 15

16 Flash EB N o 198 Higher Education Reform The Gallup Organization Involvement in the higher education reform Base: all respondents, EU27 % full confidence QUESTION: Q4. Several bodies could be involved in higher education reform. I will list a couple if them. Could you indicate how much confidence do you have in their involvement: do you have Your own faculty University leadership (Rector Board) National Rectors conference - National association of universities European university associations National or regional authorities European Commission Professional associations Private enterprises EU TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION -10 years years years POSITION Rector / Head of Institution Dean / Director of studies Full professor Lecturer Assistant professor Doctoral candidate Other teaching staff FIELD Engineering Business and economic studies Languages Law Teacher training Medical studies and nursing Other social sciences Other hard sciences Other humanities TYPE OF INSTITUTION only Bachelor degrees only Master degrees Bachelor and Master degrees Master and Doctorate degrees all degrees page 1