Brussels, 18/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - The high-level expert group on modernisation of higher education is calling for compulsory certified training for all teachers, in order to develop pupils' entrepreneurial and innovative skills. It proposes the creation of a European academy of teaching and learning. In its first report published on 18 June, the group, chaired by the former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese, sets out a total of 16 recommendations for the effective reform of the systems of higher education in member states, in order to make them more successful. “Its recommendations are timely, practical and do not necessarily require large amounts of additional expenditure. Quality teaching in our higher education and training systems is crucial for ensuring that students are equipped with the right blend of skills for their future personal and professional development”, said Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, who is responsible for education, culture, youth and multilingualism.
The group, created by Vassiliou in September 2012, has consulted widely with stakeholders as part of its work. It found that many higher education institutes place insufficient emphasis on teaching in comparison with research, even though both are core missions of higher education. “This needs rebalancing. The role of teaching in defining academic merit needs a stronger emphasis and recognition, especially in career terms”, the commissioner said. The high-level group is now to tackle the second part of its mission, which is focused on how to maximise the impact of new methods of delivering quality higher education, such as massive open online courses (MOOCs), which enable people to access higher education from their homes. Partners in 11 countries recently launched the first pan-European MOOCs with the support of the European Commission (see EUROPE 10834). The next high-level group's report is due to be published in June 2014. (IL/transl.jl)