|
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union wants to create a rival to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reflecting fears that academic standards are slipping and Europe will no longer be able to compete globally.
A European Institute of Technology should be a "flagship of excellence in higher education, research and innovation," said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who presented the plans Wednesday with Jan Figel, the EU's education commissioner.
Envisioned is a central governing body in charge of finances and research strategy, and a number of so-called knowledge communities — research and education centers dispersed around the EU. It would be up to the member states to decide where the institute and the centers would be.
|