Technology institute could get licence to issue student degrees

By Simon Taylor

Date: 01/06/06

The European Commission will next week recommend that the planned European Institute of Technology should be able to issue degrees.

The institute, which will probably be renamed the European Technology Institute (ETI) to avoid direct comparison with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US, is intended to act as a link between universities, researchers and companies to help the EU make the most of its potential for innovation.

A communication from Education Commissioner Jan Figel' and Research Commissioner Janez Potocùnik, to be adopted by the Commission next week (8 June), will provide more details on the institute. One of the key proposals will be for the ETI to be able to confer degrees to reflect studies carried out under the institute.

EU leaders reacted lukewarmly to the Commission's suggestion to set up the institute at their summit meeting in March but asked the Commission for more information. They are concerned that the new institute might duplicate the activities of existing bodies or attract personnel away from other institutions.

The Commission argues that the ETI would play a role not being performed by other bodies in bringing together academics, researchers and companies.

It will produce a formal proposal on the ETI in the second half of this year.

The institute would consist of a board to set policy objectives with representatives of the Council of Ministers, the Commission, the European Parliament and the research community as well as an executive agency of up to 100 staff to manage contracts.

Article anticipates the adoption of a Communication from the European Commissioners for Education, Jan Figel', and Research, Janez Potocnik, on 8 June 2006, providing details on the planned European Institute of Technology. According to the author the European Commission was planning to rename the project 'European Technology Institute' (ETI) to avoid direct comparison with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Education and Culture: Policy Areas: European Institute of Technology http://ec.europa.eu/comm/education/policies/educ/eit/index_en.html

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