Brussels, 11/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 11 June, the European Commission awarded quality labels to 65 higher education institutions from 16 countries in recognition of their efforts to make it easier for students to study abroad. These labels are awarded to universities which have shown excellence in applying the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and the Diploma Supplement (DS), two European instruments that make teaching and learning more transparent and facilitate the recognition of studies and qualifications. Of the 63 ECTS applications, 23 higher education institutions have been awarded the ECTS label and of the 161 DS applications, 52 higher education institutions will have received a DS label. This means that all in all, about one third of both the ECTS and the DS label applications have been selected. 10 institutions will receive both labels. European Education, Training, Culture and Youth Commissioner Ján Figel' presented the awards on Thursday evening at a ceremony attended by Czech Republic Youth and Sports Minister Jakub Dürr. “Today's Label holders are outstanding examples of institutions that are serious about European academic mobility in a rapidly-changing higher education sector,” Figel' said. In the future, the European Commission intends to organise annual application rounds for the ECTS and DS labels. (I.L./transl.rt)