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Science Careers Blog

April 20, 2009

Young researchers at the center of European universities' success strategy

Following a recent meeting in the Czech Republic, the European University Association (EUA) has released a new strategy to successfully face global challenges. Out of the 10 measures outlined in the new EUA Prague Declaration, 4 are directly relevant to students and young researchers.  

 

In particular, the EUA pledges to widen opportunities for higher education; to provide study programmes that are innovative and relevant in today's rapidly-changing job market; to improve research careers by giving postdocs more independence and making recruitment and promotion procedures more transparent; and to provide students and university staff with more and better opportunities for mobility between sectors and institutions.

 

The EUA is also holding out for a major investment in Europe similar to the recent U.S. economic stimulus package, which supports research, students, and families struggling to pay for higher education. "Europe must not sacrifice a generation of young researchers: a Europe-wide stimulus programme is needed to create opportunities and incentives to maintain young researchers across the continent in research careers," the EUA Prague Declaration also states.

 

It seems young researchers would have everything to gain from it. "In return, as universities, we commit to enhancing career opportunities for young researchers and to ensuring implementation of the issues addressed by the European Commission's Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers."

 

If, that is, the measures become concrete ones. The declaration will be presented to 46 education ministers at the Bologna Process Ministerial Summit on 29 April.

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