The Bologna Process Engagement of Ukraine: Twelve Years Towards the European Educational Process

The integration and deepening cooperation with Europe within the scope of higher education remains essential for the European integrative aspirations of Ukraine. For years, our country has been a strategic partner of Europe. Since Ukraine gained its independence, the government kept on declaring ambitions to implement the European principles in all sectors of life. So does it concerning the sphere of higher education. In 2005 Ukraine signed the Bologna Declaration and therefore officially joined the Bologna process. To this end, Ukraine assumed obligations to partake in reforming the system of higher education and to implement the European standards of education therein. For many years Ukraine was closely cooperating with European countries within the framework of science and education. Over twenty five years a series of international agreements have been signed between Ukraine and the countries of Europe, both at governmental level and that of the Ministries of Education. Moreover, a number of interdepartmental agreements have been signed at the academic level. May 19, 2017 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Bologna declaration accession of Ukraine. Twenty years of experience of Ukraine’s participation in the Bologna process still generate interest and provoke discussions within the Ukrainian society, foremost in the academic world, as well as among students, professors, politicians, officials, analysts and experts. This article investigates the key elements of Ukraine’s participation in the Bologna process. It as well covers the European-oriented reform of the higher education system for over ten years and analyses the efficacy and success thereof. The article emphasizes benefits and drawbacks of Ukraine’s joining the Bologna process.