BOLOGNA PROCESS: AREA FOR DEVELOPMENT OR A NEOLIBERAL PROJECT?

Introduction. The article studies various aspects of the Bologna Process discourse from the perspective of its impact on the development of higher education in recent decades. Special attention is paid to the practices of Russian universities’ participation in European Tempus and Erasmus+ projects. The aim of the article is to provide evidence of the benefits of the Bologna Process as a factor, which promotes and ensures sustainable social development by means of higher education internationalization, enhancing the experts’ interaction on the issues of higher education. Materials and methods used include comparative analysis, empiric data collection, conceptual and terminological analysis, interpretation, modeling, and problem solving. Results. The article identifies the key system factors which ensure the positive dynamics of the Bologna Process. This is substantiated by the facts of its implementation in Russia within the Tempus and Erasmus+ Projects. It also shows the actors of this process’ awareness of a need to adapt its goals and methods to complicated and rapidly changing situations. Discussion and Conclusion. The article confirms the hypothesis of the importance of the Bologna Process for the development and modernization of higher education. The theories claiming that the Bologna Process is a neoliberal endeavour are proved unsubstantial. The results presented in the article can be used in pre-service and in-service programmes and courses for higher education teachers, administrators, and researchers.

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