The Diploma Supplement in Spain 1999-2015 Universidad de Granada Vicerrectorado de Relaciones Internacionales y Cooperación al Desarrollo
INDEX DS in context DS implementation in Spain DS implementation in the UGR Debate
DS in context Lisbon Convention, 1997 Bolonia Declaration,1999 Berlin Communiqué 2003 Ley Orgánica de Universidades, 2001
Lisbon Convention Conciseness and effectiveness Structure Contents Founding principles General Guidelines Explanatory notes (2007) Ratified by Spain in 2009
Bologna Declaration DS: key instrument for the construction of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees, also through the implementation of the Diploma Supplement, in order to promote European citizens employability and the international competitiveness of the European Higher Education System (Bologna Declaration, 1999)
Berlin Communiqué 2003 Every student graduating since 2005 should receive the DS Automatically Free of charge In a widely spoken European language
Ley Orgánica de Universidades The Universities Act (2001) gives the central government the ability and the duty to develop different aspects leading to the integration of our system in the EHEA universities are not allowed to create DS models by themselves Government decides everything: Structure, contents, when, how
DS implementation in Spain A two stages process: An experimental phase until the implementation of the ECTS and the new degrees adapted to the Bologna Cycles. A final stage for the new Bologna System degrees (from 2010).
DS implementation in Spain first stage 1999-2015 1999-2003: Pilot experiences Stakeholders consultation: Rector s Conference Government consultive council for higher education Regulation proposal
DS implementation in Spain first stage 1999-2015 Real Decreto 1044/2003: The DS will have a standard format, the same for all universities The Diploma Supplement fits with the model developed by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO / CEPES On this first stage it will not be issued automatically nor free of charge The price depends on the regional government (i.e. in Cantabria is free of charge)
DS implementation in Spain first stage 1999-2015 Real Decreto 1044/2003
DS implementation in Spain first stage 1999-2015 Real Decreto 1044/2003: This regulation only applies for pre-bologna Degrees Regulates only undergraduate and Doctorate DSs Master students would have to wait until 2007: ORDEN ECI/2514/2007
DS implementation in Spain first stage 1999-2015 Real Decreto 1044/2003: The universities began the process to adapt their IT tools and their information systems to the requirements for issuing the DS. From the beginning two main problems arise: unsolved issues: fields of study for each degree and the professional qualifications for some of them interpretation of many technical academic aspects
DS implementation in Spain first stage 1999-2015 Real Decreto 1044/2003: The first problem was never solved. The second was only partially solved through FAQs and stakeholder meetings As a result each University looked for their own solutions Although all the spanish DSs look the same, the contents may differ substantially.
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 ORDEN ECI/2514/2007 (August): It regulates the structure,contents, design and procedure for issuing DS for master degrees regulated by RD 56/2005 which states how postgraduate studies should be in the new bologna system. A new challenge for universities Double or joint Degrees (Erasmus Mundus) DS shall neither be free of charge nor automatically issued Masters are Bologna System Degrees!
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 Real Decreto 1393/2007 a new regulation for the official university studies (October): undergraduate and postgraduate introduces new requirements for the contents of the DS for the new degrees DS for master degrees will be different after this regulation. The same template with two different contents These legislative changes and some other problems slow the issuance of the master DS
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 Real Decreto 1002/2010 As scheduled, the regulation for the second and final phase was published in 2010 It regulated the DS for all three cycles Bologna Degrees included Double or joint Degrees and Erasmus Mundus Masters It establishes that DS will be free of charge but not automatically issued.
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 Real Decreto 1002/2010 This rule was never implemented because it met with opposition from some important stakeholders, mainly Universities Bologna experts
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 Real Decreto 1002/2010: main criticisms: The proposed templates did not fit with the European Model Graduates have to receive it automatically and free of charge. But although this rule established the free nature of the DS, the student had to request it. Doubts were raised on the contents of virtually all sections: a DS issuing guide for HEIs were needed
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 Real Decreto 1002/2010: In 2012, a specific group was created in order to carry out a study on the modification of the RD 1002/2010 and came up with concrete proposals. This group was formed by representatives from the Spanish BET, from the Ministry of Education and from Spanish universities, coordinated by OAPEE (Erasmus NA) As a result, it has been replaced by a new rule in 2015
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 Real Decreto 22/2015, recently published (January) for undergraduate and Master degrees regulated by the RD 1393/2007 (specific regulation for doctorate) DS will be automatically issued with university qualification free of charge After 12 years Spanish universities will be able to apply for DS label!
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 Real Decreto 22/2015 Simplification and clarification of contents UNE A4 security paper (makes layout much easier) Foresees an implementation guide
DS implementation in Spain second stage 2007-2015 Real Decreto 22/2015 Innovative proposal: e-diploma Supplement: Additional Same structure and contents Detailed Security measures (Annex III) Available in the Electronic Office of the University
DS implementation in UGR First stage DS according to RD 1044/2003: At the UGR the DS setout lasted four years. We were not able to issue the first DS until 2007. The organizational and operational rules for issuing European Diploma Supplement at the University of Granada were approved by the Governing Council on June, 2007.
DS implementation in UGR First stage DS according to RD 1044/2003: IT tools and Information systems adjustments Problems found: The contents required were not in the centralised databases Translation (subjects) Changes in the required file format (from 2008 HTML)
DS implementation in UGR First stage DS according to RD 1044/2003: Problems found: Additionally, UGR decided to print the DS on its own: the security paper required a special printer and special inks. The required format (A3 folded) caused many layout problems, specially in files: many subjects, mobilities, etc. from 2010 printing is entrusted to a specialized company
DS implementation in UGR First stage Master degree DS Problems found: many difficulties in adapting Records: lack of information for some contents the translation needed took a very long time two different models did not make it easier coordination among UGR units was not as efficient as it should have been Available from 2014 Very few DS issued
DS implementation in UGR First stage DS according to RD 1044/2003: Figures 2500 2000 1956 2037 1500 1316 1000 500 59 454 392 560 727 0
DS implementation in UGR DS and Employability Lack of studies Does it readily answer the main questions from the employers? Do you know (can you) do this job? What can you do for my business? Barriers for effectiveness: waiting time excess of information a multiplicity of formats
DS implementation in UGR Academic utility Certificate of European Studies Positive experience in International Mobility The first years partner universities were a bit reluctant The main advantage is the translation The main disadvantage: too long, difficult to read, somehow incoherent (grading system and average grade) In recent years, many universities require it
Thankyou! Vicerrectorado de Relaciones Internacionales y Cooperación al Desarrollo http://internacional.ugr.es http://cicode.ugr.es http://www.ugr.university
Debate Implementation in your countries/institutions State of art Problems found Innovative proposals
Debate Supranational, national, regional or institutional level of design? Balance between accuracy and completeness Grading and average grade Professional qualification Studies on the use and usefulness of the DS Undergraduate Master Doctorate
Thankyou!