Ministers debate the future of higher education

By Erik Tate. The representative of the Netherlands Presidency said that higher education plays a crucial role in individual self-fulfilment and societal development. It also has the complicated task of preparing students for a rapidly changing labour market and complex challenges. High quality education and inspiring teaching staff are both crucial. Almost five years after the previous agenda, the time is ripe to take stock of the progress and discuss any new challenges that have since emerged. There will be fresh initiative in the higher education field by the European Commission, she explained, making note of the broad consultation launched earlier this year. In the context of the ongoing consultations the Netherlands Presidency held a conference on this in March. The aim of today’s exchange of views is to take this to the political level and discuss the most pressing issues. More...