The context
In August 2023, the Forum for Reasonable Policies, in collaboration with the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities – Skopje, submitted a proposal-initiative for the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia’s Annual Work Program for 2024 titled “Proposal for Amendments and Additions to the Law on Higher Education.”[1] This initiative aims to align the Law on Higher Education with the Bologna Process and the European Research Area, specifically adhering to ENIK/NARIC and Erasmus/EHEA guidelines on the recognition and equivalence of foreign higher education qualifications.
The project
Since the submission of this proposal-initiative, no feedback regarding its status, its review, or potential consultations, has been received, highlighting the need for more active advocacy. The project “Advocacy for Inclusive Growth”, financially supported by the Government of Switzerland through the CIVICA Mobilitas program, seeks to address this need. The three partner organizations – Forum for Reasonable Policies, the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation – aim to raise awareness among professionals and the general public about the consistent application of the Bologna process, especially for its fundamental value – mobility through changes in the Law on Higher Education. The main goal of the project is to enhance higher education quality, deeply integrating it with the country’s economic activities and the global market. This integration involves incorporating research and science into the real sector and making them essential in developing public policies. It also aims to provide young and successful students with a secure academic-economic environment, thereby reducing brain drain.
The main activities include the preparation of: policy analysis, a study of legislation with proposals for policy changes and recommendations for reforms, an action plan for inter-sectoral advocacy in education, and proposed amendments to the Higher Education Law. All consortium activities are continuously updated on the website https://cluster3edu.org/
The project is being implemented from 01.12.2023 to 30.09.2026.
Previous steps leading towards achieving our goal:
Thematic Forum “Interweaving education, science and innovation-based economy” held on March 27, 2024
Preparation and publication of analyses only availably in Macedonian language