Modernisation of higher education in the EU: reducing the negative impacts of the economic crisis

The European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee (CULT) today passed, by a large majority, the report on "Modernising Europe's Higher Education Systems", drafted by EPP Group MEP László Tőkés.

Through the modernisation of higher education in the EU, the report aims at reducing the negative impact that the Union is faced with as a result of the economic crisis. In the context of these challenges it is crucial that institutions of higher education remain well-funded in order to meet future skills demands.

Tőkés stated: "In light of the fact that out of the 4000 higher education institutions operating in the EU, only 200 are among the top 500 in the world and only a few of those are from Central-Eastern Europe, modernisation of the system is indeed urgent and essential."

The report calls for the creation of concrete action plans and also for funds to be made available by the European Commission, with special attention on tackling the disparities between Western and Central-Eastern European institutions.

"In addition to stressing the need to widen access to higher education, the report focuses on the strengthening of the partnership between the labour market, local governments, regional cooperation and higher education, as well as calls for positive discrimination of disadvantaged minorities, including people with disabilities and the Roma community. The report also calls on Member States to support policies in the field of teaching languages of traditional minorities and to support those institutions that serve these communities", Tőkés concluded.