Brussels, 01/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The university network in Brussels needs in-depth reform to help the relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy and the respond to the challenges from higher performing American and Asian networks, says Commissioner Jan Figel, who will participate in a convention of the European University Association (EUA) in Glasgow on 31 March on the theme “Strong Universities for Europe”. “In Europe, only 21% of the working population has enjoyed tertiary education, compared to 38% in the USA and 43% in Canada. We are also surpassed by Japan and Korea”, Jan Figel emphasised, lamenting the fact that Europe has also fallen behind in terms of scientific publications, patents and Nobel prizes. On 18, 19 and 20 May, the European Ministers for Education will meet in Bergen as part of the follow-up of the Bologna process and are should, the Commissioner hopes, adopt European standards for both universities and for the national quality assurance agencies, which will create the basis for a framework of reference for qualifications at European level. Jan Figel announced that following the meeting in Bergen (Norway), the Commission will publish a consultation document on a European reference framework for qualifications in lifelong learning, which would set eight levels from basic education through to more specific qualifications to help institutions and teachers to assess their position. It will also present a consultation document before the summer on credits in lifelong learning, in reference to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which guarantees recognition of university studies already undertaken. These initiatives “will help establish a sufficient level of compatibility between Europe's diverse education systems. They will also help citizens to take effective advantage of the very diversity of Europe's education systems rather than being constrained by it”, said Mr Figel. The Convention in Glasgow is due to close on 2 April in the presence of the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso. The conclusions adopted at this meeting will be submitted to the European Ministers on 19 May in Bergen.