Union ministers of education discussed the introduction of a uniform European title.

Brussels – EU Education Ministers discussed on Tuesday in Brussels the recent proposal from the European Commission to introduce a European degree that would be automatically recognized throughout the twenty-seven. According to the deputy of the Czech Minister of Education Jaroslav Miller, who represented the Czech Republic at the meeting, individual EU member state education systems are fragmented and, for example, the recognition of qualifications poses a major problem.

“The topic of European diplomas sounds quite futuristic today, but I hope it will be realized over the next few years,” Miller told ČTK. Following the challenge by French President Emmanuel Macron, the so-called European university alliances have been forming for several years now, which “represent the first step in harmonizing educational systems in tertiary education,” added Miller.

In eight different alliances, there are also eight Czech universities. These alliances are trying to harmonize their educational programs and in the future issue a single diploma. As an example, the deputy of the Czech minister mentioned the alliance named Aurora, which includes Palacky University in Olomouc and eight other universities across Europe, such as Innsbruck or Amsterdam. A pan-European network of universities does not yet exist.

The European degree would be a new type of title, which according to the March proposal by the European Commission would be awarded jointly and on a voluntary basis by a group of universities across Europe. This would be based on a common set of criteria agreed at the European level. According to the EC’s addition to its proposal, students could thus gain more opportunities to study at multiple universities in Europe and with a title recognized throughout the EU, it would also be easier to apply for jobs within the entire current European bloc.