英文_经合组织_中期评估及教育规划启示_63页_2mb

Modernisation of Higher Education Institutions Procedure in Bulgaria: Summary

This evaluation assesses the implementation of the "Modernisation of Higher Education Institutions" procedure (2020–2023), funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), in Bulgaria. The procedure aimed to address key priorities in Bulgarian higher education, such as advancing digitalisation, competency-based education, collaboration, and professional development.

Key Findings
The procedure broadly responded to national needs, achieving moderate success in areas like digitalisation, training, and collaboration. However, challenges were noted in implementation due to legal constraints, funding limitations, and the scope of the procedure. Projects faced difficulties such as regulatory hurdles (e.g., barriers to joint degree programs), COVID-19 disruptions, and administrative inflexibilities. Despite these challenges, promising practices emerged, including expanded professional development, investments in digital infrastructure, inter-institutional partnerships, and competency-based curriculum design.

Lessons and Recommendations

1. Reduce Complexity: Narrow the scope of future procedures to focus on fewer, coherent objectives to improve efficiency.
2. Enhance Expert Consultation: Involve higher education experts during planning to address policy and regulatory challenges.
3. Improve Evaluation: Incorporate innovative monitoring methods to assess outcomes beyond compliance, such as tracking graduate employability and competency development.
4. Simplify Implementation: Streamline administrative processes, such as budget reallocation and reporting, to reduce bureaucratic burdens.
5. Foster Collaboration: Strengthen mechanisms for peer learning and feedback among beneficiaries to support sustainable improvements.

Conclusion
While the Modernisation procedure made progress in modernising Bulgarian higher education, its broad scope and implementation challenges highlight the need for targeted reforms in future initiatives. Key recommendations focus on balancing ambition with practicality to ensure lasting impact and efficiency.