Hristo Hristov and Mariya Hristova
Papers of BAS, Humanities and Social Sciences
Vol. 3, No 1, 2016
SOCIOLOGY
NATIONAL POLICY ON QUALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION – CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT
Hristo Hristov and Mariya Hristova
Abstract:The article presents a critical analysis of the Bulgarian national policy in higher education in terms of quality. Кey documents and ideas related to quality management аt all its levels: European, national and university, including the amendments in the Higher Education Act adopted in February 2016 are мarked and comments are presented on their appropriateness and effectiveness. The paper focuses on university management, and in particular on two ideas: 1. The university quality management should be coordinated by contents formally with the National Qualifications Framework, with the national accreditation systems and the Bulgarian University Ranking System (BURS); 2. It should generate motivation for high quality connecting the achievements of university teachers with recognition and remuneration, which requires an objectified and adopted system of evaluation. It can be expected that such university management, which stimulates quality, can result in a complete transformation of the university atmosphere, a redistribution of finances to leading academics and managers and over time would cause a natural selection of academic staff in favor of quality
Key words: University Quality Management, European Qualifications Framework, National Qualifications Framework, Academic Standards, Quality Improvement