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Volume 13, Issue 2 
COVER PAGE
FEATURE
REGIONAL NEWS PRACTICAL INFORMATION
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Regional News
There are currently eight European university centers in France, based mainly in large university towns such as Lille and Nancy-Metz. Now, after 10 years of planning, there is also a center in the southern Ile-de-France with two new universities at Evry and Versailles. One of the center's first priorities will be to promote the site, and plans are under way to improve facilities and cultural activities for students, teachers and researchers. The new center will also host research conferences, devise new teaching programs and coordinate continuing training.
It is hoped that the establishment of the new center will attract students from abroad, thereby giving the seven higher education institutions involved in the project a greater competitive edge in the international education market. They also hope to resuscitate research activities in the region, which have declined significantly in recent years because of outdated facilities and decentralization policies that have transferred some functions to the provinces.
— Times Higher Education Supplement
The recommendation to adopt a two-tiered model marks the division of higher education studies in Germany. The first phase of study for employment qualification would be completed with the bachelor's degree earned after six or, at most, eight semesters. Admission to the additional one- or two-year university qualification phase for a master's degree should be made "contingent on subject and content requirements." In practice, this would allow universities the right to choose. Schulze said a "certain level of selectivity" is unavoidable with this type of system.
— Sueddeutsche Zeitung
Despite the landmark reform, which ends a 50-year-old political battle, the Catholic Church, which runs about 90 percent of private schools, was far from satisfied. Catholic bishops were trying to get full state funding and called the new law "incomplete and ambiguous."
— New York Times
The Islamic University in Rotterdam, a privately funded institution, is Europe's first Islamic university. Its faculties specialize in the training of imams, Muslim counselors and Islamic researchers. At present, the imams come primarily from Muslim countries - Turkey and Morocco in particular. Because many imams cannot speak Dutch and have little understanding of Western culture, they are not comfortable praying in Dutch mosques.
— Sueddeutsche Zeitung
AINova offers the following one- or two-year full-time study programs: European studies, professional program in applied economics, conservation studies, environmental policy, and journalism.
The school also offers an Open, Distance and Vocational Learning Program. More information is available at the school's Web site, www.ainova.sk.
— Correspondence from Academia Istropolitana Nova
Because work experience will constitute a vital part of the foundation degree programs, they are expected to appeal to employers. New universities that have strong vocational links to their communities also are expected to support the new degrees.
The foundation degrees correspond to existing diplomas, such as the long established Higher National Diploma. However the latter has been declining in popularity in recent years, which could mean that the foundation degree stands to attract a greater numbers of students and employers.
At the same time, the degrees have become a source of controversy in the United Kingdom. Many critics say these qualifications are being advertised as second-class degrees for second-rate students coming from lower socio-economic groups. But Blunkett denied that claim, arguing that the foundation degree is well suited for those who find three years of full-time study impractical.
In addition, the new degree programs include an honors level enabling them to be used as a stepping stone to higher education. All universities are expected to offer this degree. However, at this point a number of questions are being raised. Will these qualifications gain widespread recognition to make them successful? Will employers spend the time and money to create job-internships for students enrolled in foundation degree programs? And will these new degrees receive the same level of funding as other degree programs?
— Times Higher Education Supplement
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A European university center was recently established in the region just south of Paris. The new institution was established by seven universities and écoles, which include the Pôle Universitaire Européen d'Ile-de-France-Sud and the Versailles Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maîtres (IUFM).