Radical changes in European higher education — and what they mean for universities in the United States — will be the topic of a public lecture on campus on May 21.

Guy Haug, a key architect of the reform effort known as the Bologna Process, will offer his insights as part of a conference on the place of Europe in the international strategies of North American universities. His presentation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in the AGR Room at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

Bill Lacy, vice provost for University Outreach and International Programs, said he especially invites to the lecture those faculty members interested in developing or managing collaborations with European universities.

The Bologna Process, named for a 1999 declaration signed in the Italian city, is developing a European Higher Education Area and is driving sweeping reforms to bring diverse higher education systems in line with international standards and make it easier for students and staff to move among the various systems.

The 46 countries now involved are establishing degrees based on the structure of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, and defining the learning outcomes for each. They are also working to provide fair recognition of foreign degrees and other higher education qualifications.

“This will entail better opportunities for cooperation as well as stronger competition from Europe,” said Haug, who is adviser to the head of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia in Spain.

Balance Conference

Some 50 international education administrators from the United States and Europe are due to gather at UC Davis on May 21 and 22 to discuss improving the compatibility of the North American and European Union systems and strengthening links between them.

UC Davis is the only American university to host one of the series of Balance Conferences, funded by the European Commission, to share information about the Bologna Process and balance academic mobility between North America and Europe.

In a presentation at the conference, Lacy will highlight UC Davis collaborations with European academic partners. For example, earlier this year, food scientists from UC Davis and Denmark formed a consortium to investigate how foods can be developed to fight malnutrition and lifestyle diseases, and provide the greatest health benefits. And UC Davis researchers are involved in experiments at the European Center for Nuclear Research.

According to University Outreach and International Programs, UC Davis has working agreements with 24 universities in nine European countries and more than 80 opportunities for study abroad in Europe. About one in 10 international students at UC Davis is from Europe.

More information about Huag’s lecture: uoip.ucdavis.edu/balance/lecture.cfm. People planning to attend are asked to arrange reservations by sending e-mails to uoipfacultyresources@ucdavis.edu.