European Nanotechnology Masters Recognition Scheme - Supporting Technical Higher Education
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1105-OO04-05
European Nanotechnology Masters Recognition Scheme - Supporting Technical Higher Education Kshitij Aditeya Singh Institute of Nanotechnology, Lord Hope Building, 141 St James Road, Glasgow, G4 0LT, United Kingdom Abstract Europe aspires to become a knowledge oriented economy by 2010 in which nanoscience and nanotechnologies play an important role. However, the development of skills and competencies in the workforce will be critical in realising the benefits offered by nanoscience and nanotechnologies. The Nanotechnology Masters Recognition Scheme aims to support technical higher education by addressing the challenges of education in nanoscience and nanotechnologies particularly at the masters’ level. The paper provides an overview of the education and professional development systems in Europe with specific examples from the U.K. The paper also underlines how the scheme addresses the challenges of skills and competencies development within the European context through information dissemination, identifying gaps and professional needs, encouraging professional development, and supporting through various different measures. 1. Introduction The European Commission aims to create a knowledge based society in Europe by 2010 [1]. Nanotechnologies and nanoscience will be important in the realisation of this vision. In 2004 the European Commission emphasised the need for interdisciplinary training of research and development workforce with an entrepreneurial outlook [2]. An open consultation on European Strategy for Nanotechnology conducted in 2004, highlighted a shortage of trained personnel within five years. A majority of respondents to the open consultation underlined the lack of highly skilled manpower as the bottleneck for enterprise [3]. The human matrix of capabilities in the vast knowledge intensive area of nanoscience and nanotechnology can only be developed through rigorous education and training. Training programmes for preparing individuals for different roles are being developed both in academia and industry. In the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology, knowledge through research is being rapidly generated and disseminated for users in the community. 2. An Overview of Education Systems in Europe – Significance for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology The Lisbon agenda sets out the strategic goal of turning Europe into the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy by 2010. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are considered key to achieving these goals [1]. Education and training are complementary to the research and technology development actions in articles of the European Treaty. Higher education policy in Europe is governed by article 149 of the Treaty of Nice which directs the European Community to contribute to the development of quality education and training through cooperation between Member States and with third countries. The community action aims at
developing the European dimension through teaching and dissemination, mobility of academia, recognition of degrees and period of study,
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