16 HIGHER EDUCATION: THE ERASMUS
MUNDUS PROGRAMMES FOR 2009-13
(28792)
11708/07
COM(07) 395
+ ADD 1
+ ADD 2
| Draft Decision to establish a programme for the enhancement of quality in
higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through
cooperation with third countries (Erasmus Mundus 2009-13)
Summary of impact assessment
Commission staff working document: impact assessment of draft Decision
|
| Legal base | Article 149 EC; co-decision; QMV
|
| Document originated | 12 July 2007
|
| Deposited in Parliament |
17 July 2007 |
| Department | Innovation, Universities and Skills
|
| Basis of consideration |
EM of 20 August 2007 |
| Previous Committee Report |
None |
| To be discussed in Council
| November 2007 |
| Committee's assessment | Politically important
|
| Committee's decision | Cleared
|
Background
16.1 In 2003, the Council adopted a Decision to establish the
Erasmus Mundus Programme for the period from the beginning of
2004 to the end of 2008.[75]
The Programme's total budget is €292 million. Its main aim
is to strengthen partnerships between universities in Member States
and those in third countries through:
- Masters degree courses designed and taught specifically
for the purpose of the Programme;
- scholarships to enable students and academics
from third countries to take part in the courses;
- short-term exchanges of students, academics and
university staff between universities in Europe and third country
universities;
- scholarships to fund such exchanges; and
- activities to make Europe a more attractive destination
for education.
16.2 In July the Commission published a report on
the performance of the Programme up to the end of 2006.[76]
It was based on an assessment by an independent evaluator. The
evaluator found that the Programme:
"had made a very positive start. The programme
has generated genuine enthusiasm among students and higher education
institutions ('HEIs') alike, suggesting high relevance to identified
needs."[77]
16.3 The evaluator made ten recommendations to improve
the current Programme and its successor, all of which were acceptable
to the Commission.
The draft Decision
16.4 The purpose of the draft Decision is to establish
the Erasmus Mundus Programme for 2009-13 "for the enhancement
of quality of European[78]
higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding
through cooperation with third countries as well as for the development
of third countries in the field of higher education" (Article
1(1) of the draft Decision).
16.5 In its explanatory memorandum, the Commission
notes that, in 2004, six countries hosted 67% of the world's mobile
students: the USA 23%; the UK 12%; Germany 11%; France 10%; Australia
7%; and Japan 5%. The Commission considers that it is in the best
interests of the EC to attract to Europe the brightest and best
students and academics from other countries; and that the international
mobility of academics and students supports the Community's foreign
affairs and development objectives.
16.6 The Programme for 2009-13 would be similar to
the current Programme. It would have four specific objectives:
- to create centres of excellence by fostering
cooperation between higher education institutions in third countries
and those in EC Member States and other European countries which
decide to take part in the Programme;
- to develop pools of well-qualified and open-minded
people by helping the most talented students and academics from
third countries obtain qualifications and experience in Europe;
- to encourage European students and academics
to study in third countries;
- to help higher education institutions in third
countries develop the capacity for international cooperation through
exchanges of students, academics and university staff; and
- to increase access to, and the world reputation
of, European higher education.
16.7 These objectives would be pursued through:
- Action 1 — joint courses
leading to Masters degrees or Doctorates. Each course would involve
universities from at least three European countries and could
also involve third country universities. Candidates for the degrees
would be required to study in several of the universities providing
the courses. European students as well as those from third countries
would be eligible for Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
- Action 2 — Partnerships between European
and third country higher education institutions for the purposes
of cooperation, the exchange of information and short visits by
students, academics and university staff; and the provision of
scholarships for participants.
- Action 3 — Conferences, seminars, prizes,
publications and other such measures to make Europe a more attractive
destination for academics, students and businesses.
16.8 The 2009-13 budget for Actions 1 and 3 would
be €493.69 million. Action 2 would be funded from other EC
programmes, such as the European Development Fund.
The Government's view
16.9 The Minister of State at the Department of Innovation,
Universities and Skills (Bill Rammell) tells us that the Government
supports the proposal, in general, and believes that the Erasmus
Mundus Programme has a useful role to play in encouraging mobility
and contributing to the reform of university education. There
are only a few points about which the Government is concerned.
For example, the draft Decision provides that possession of a
first degree should be a condition for admission to a Masters
degree course; but, in the Government's view, that condition appears
unnecessary where a student can show an equivalent level of learning
without having a first degree.
Conclusion
16.10 We recognise the value of the Erasmus Mundus
Programme. We note that the Government supports the proposal and
has only minor concerns about a few of the detailed provisions.
We are, therefore, content to clear the draft Decision from scrutiny.
75 Decision No. 2317/2003/EC: OJ No. L 345, 31.12.03,
p.1. Back
76
11484/07 (COM(07) 375). Back
77
Ibid, section 3.3, first paragraph. Back
78
Participation in the Programme would be open to the following
non-EU European countries: EFTA countries; candidate countries
for membership of the EU; countries of the Western Balkans; and
Switzerland. Back
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