Conformity of Bologna process would ruin PhDs, say rectors

Europe must not restrict its PhD researchers by aligning and structuring the goals of research, according to a group of rectors led by Germany's national association.

The HRK, Germany’s rectors’ association, said that broadening the Bologna process to include PhD training, which has been proposed by member states, would constitute an attack on the freedom of research and detract from the true goals of doing a PhD.

The Bologna process is an initiative by European countries to assimilate higher education to the Anglo-American bachelors and masters system. The proposal to include PhDs foresees the introduction of a points system to evaluate learning during a doctorate, and the creation of a diploma that describes the skills gained during PhD research.