From September 1 of this year, all first-year students of Volyn State University will begin studying under the credit-module system, and from 2007 all specialties of the university will switch to this system. This was announced to journalists at a meeting of the Lutsk Press Club of Reforms by the rector of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn State University, Ihor Kotsan. \n \nHe noted, in particular, that the university began preparing for entry into the Bologna Process back in the 2004/2005 academic year and to this end annually improves its material, technical and methodological base. "Our region is a border region and we must be pioneers in this matter," emphasized Ihor Yaroslavovych. \n \nThe pioneer among Volyn higher education institutions in implementing European education standards was Lutsk State Technical University. According to the first vice-rector of this institution, Zoryana Herasymchuk, for several years in a row students of the Faculty of Accounting and Finance and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering have been studying under the credit-module system. "Today we have many developments, a powerful library on Bologna Process issues has been created, and connections have been established with many universities in Europe. I hope that this process will be supported by the state, because it is very difficult to do it on our own," noted Zoryana Viktorivna. According to her, entry into the Bologna Process will allow for active scientific work, however, the negative consequences of introducing this system in Ukraine may be caused by the different standards of living here and in European countries. "In our education system we have many good developments. We must unify it and enter the Bologna Process as partners. Partners with a capital P," Zoryana Herasymchuk is convinced. \n \nThe dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Finance of Lutsk State Technical University, Alla Moskovchuk, assured that thanks to studying under the credit-module system, the level of student performance has increased, since "they prepare systematically for classes, and not three days before the exam." A significant problem upon entering the Bologna Process, in her opinion, will be the shortage of personnel. \n \nThe rector of Lutsk Humanitarian University, Andriy Zhuravlyov, is also convinced that Ukraine, "whether we want it or not," will join European education standards, but believes that this process cannot be rushed. Along with the fact that the outflow of intellectual potential abroad will become closed, will the state be able to create appropriate conditions for its existence at home? \n \nAs Mr. Zhuravlyov assured, the prerequisites for the transition to the Bologna Process were laid by LHU back in 1998. Since then, students have been studying two foreign languages, and the main emphasis in the educational process is placed on independent study of the subject and the ability to work with electronic sources of information. A clear confirmation of the success of such methodology, according to the rector, is that students find employment already after their third year. \nThe head of the educational-consultative center of Ternopil State Economic University in the city of Lutsk, Olena Strishynets, believes that Ukraine does not have the necessary prerequisites for entering the Bologna Process, primarily free access to the Internet, which is essential for the credit-module system of education, since the teacher then acts as a consultant. Therefore, it is very important that this process be carried out at the state level, and not by individual universities.