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Providing an inclusive education to students with intellectual disability in higher education is an emerging challenge. This paper presents the results of a research study that analyses the perceptions of graduates from the Promentor Programme (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain). The study follows a phenomenological design and employs qualitative research methodology. Two focus groups are conducted, with 14 participants in total. The participants' perspective is structured around the following categories: (a) Quality of life and training received; (b) barriers encountered; (c) supports received; and (d) lecturers' competences. In general, participants give their experience a positive assessment in relation to aspects such as social inclusion, professional and personal development or self-esteem. The study's conclusions highlight the convenience of an inclusive and qualitative research design that will serve to hear the voices of persons with intellectual disability, as well as their perception of the positive impact of university education on their lives. This article focuses on the perspective of Spanish university students with intellectual disability in order to understand their perceptions of their training experience in an inclusive higher education course. An inclusive research design is adopted which seeks to give voice to people with intellectual disability not only as participants, but also as members of the research team. The study confirms that, from the students' perspective, university environments can be suitable for the education of students with intellectual disability; therefore, the creation of inclusive higher education programmes should be encouraged. University lecturers should receive training in inclusive education. Higher education institutions must take into account the voices of vulnerable groups of students in order to effectively eliminate existing barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we investigate the determinants of regret of study program for tertiary education graduates in Spain and the Netherlands. These two countries differ in their educational system in terms of the tracking structure in their secondary education and the strength of their education-labor market linkages in tertiary education. Therefore, by comparing Spain and the Netherlands, we aim at learning about the consequences that the two educational systems might have on the regret of study program in tertiary education. Basing on the psychological literature on regret, we derive some expectations on the determinants of regret of study program. Results reveal that both, education track and education-labor mismatch of tertiary education, are important determinants of the likelihood of program regret. Results allow us to derive some policy recommendations on the tertiary education system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an institutional research on service quality conducted to analyze the students' motives and influences on their selection of studies and university. The research was carried out by collecting data from first-year students in a multi-campus system where institutions are independent in their recruitment strategies. Results from six consecutive years are presented. The meaningful coincidence with previous research, the stability of some findings along the years, and the possibilities of this approach to be useful for strategic purposes and in marketing-related issues, make this methodology of particular interest. These results are also meaningful with a view to improving quality practices in the context of competition for the best students, and improving guidance practices to match students' motives with higher education offer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bologna Declaration attempts to reform the structure of the higher education system in forty-six European countries in a convergent way. By 2010, the European space for higher education should be completed. In the 2005-2006 academic year, the University of Murcia, Spain, started promoting initiatives to adapt individual modules and entire courses to the ECTS-compatible credit system. In this paper, we describe the development of an experiment under the ECTS credit scheme for the module English Language and Literature I, a course for first year students of French Studies. This experiment took place in the 2005-2006 academic year. This was the first experiment of its kind to be carried out in the Faculty of Arts under the Bologna principles. A teaching team made up of three experienced language teachers was put together for this purpose. The experiment would have a very strict follow-through: three different types of questionnaires were designed and given to the students, teacher and observers respectively in order to establish how the new teaching plan was working. The data obtained from the questionnaires revealed how successful and rewarding this experiment was for the students and teachers involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), its creation, its guidelines, and its inherently innovative potential. It looks closely at the theoretical proposals, the innovative regulations and institutional practices in the process of academic change that relate to teaching, research and management. It also describes the emergence of creative processes in quality assurance and methodological renewal. These bring new professional challenges and educational opportunities to the fore; challenges which raise ethical issues for those involved in these approaches to universities in Spain and the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]