Regional Platform for Benchmarking and Cooperationin Higher Education and Research

1. NAME The name of association is “Regional Platform for Benchmarking and Cooperation in Higher Education and Research”, thereafter „ Platform ‟. The term “Region” refers to the geographic area which includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo*, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. 2. AIMS The aims of the Platform are to:  foster a Regional 'collective voice' in higher education and research that resonates regionally, nationally and internationally  enable strategic level debate in the Region on higher education and research issues which will impact on its development.  promote regional policy and collaborative solutions in higher education and research.  initiate regional discussions for exploitation of the strategic opportunities facing the higher education and research sector.  develop benchmark solutions for higher education quality issues and mutual trust in the recognition of qualifications.  provide bespoke professional development opportunities for managers, administrators and policy-makers from higher education institutions and authorities in the Region.  encourage further cooperation in doctoral studies, research and innovation and exchange of doctoral students and early career researchers within the Region.  enhance public understanding of the underlying principles set out in EU policies in higher education and research since 2000  contribute to the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy, South East Europe 2020 Strategy and new strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (ET 2020).  give active support and guidance to members of the Platform in their development in higher education and research.