Modernising Europe's higher education systems

Within the EU, education is a competence of the Member States, but with around 19 million students and 4,000 universities in the Union, education is also a 'European common good'.

Since the Bologna Process entered its implementation phase, it has tended to favour vocational education over academic research.

The Greens support the idea of public involvement in academic education and in research because both are indispensable sources of innovation and economic development.

They both also play a role in coming to terms with societal change.

We therefore believe that the goal of achieving excellence should be pursued at all levels.

In our view, the EU's role in this context is to enhance the range of higher education on offer, facilitate access to it and the transfer of knowledge between Member States, and foster the free development of research.

The emphasis on 'Sector Skills Alliances' and 'Knowledge Alliances' needs to be complemented by offering students genuine freedom of choice in their academic education, which will ultimately enable them to apply their knowledge in practice.

Overall, the Greens were satisfied with the result of the negotiations.

Since education and culture are largely national competences and the EU only serves as a facilitator between the Member States, conflict over issues in these domains is rare.