Schools must create a positive image of science, says Commissioner
The role of educational institutions in producing high quality researchers was highlighted by Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Education and Culture, speaking at the 'enlarged Europe for researchers' conference in Brussels on 28 June. Ms Reding claimed that the creation of a high quality scientific culture is a European duty. 'For this, I am convinced that a scientific and technological education for our children from a very young age is essential,' said Ms Reding. 'If our universities are the real hinge between the education system and the world of work, it is schools which form the image, positive or negative, that young people have of science, with a direct influence on their decision to follow or not follow a scientific career,' she continued. The Commissioner applauded the Erasmus scheme, part of the Socrates programme, which is funded by the European Commission. The scheme will soon see its millionth student to take part since the founding of the scheme in 1987. She drew attention to the fact however, that the outgoing/incoming ratio between candidate countries and Member States is still disproportionate at between 1:10 and 1:4, 'although the high scientific level of the candidate country universities justifies absolutely more of a balance in the flow of students,' she said. Commissioner Reding commended the candidate countries for succeeding in encouraging more women to enter into higher education and pursue scientific careers. In Bulgaria, Romania and Estonia, more women than men obtain degrees in mathematics and computer science, said the Commissioner. The development of mobility between EU universities and those in the candidate countries on the basis of quality is a concrete pre-accession activity, with reciprocal benefits for all, said the Commissioner. She referred to a recent meeting in Prague between 32 European Ministers responsible for higher education and research on the creation of a European higher education area by 2010. Questions relating to the recognition of qualifications, a system of credits, the evaluation of quality, mobility, enlargement and education, and life long learning are currently being tackled in view of the next such conference, set to take place in Berlin in 2003, said Ms Reding.