Bologna not understood

The Bologna Process has been misused and misinterpreted. This is according to two declarations coming out of the weekend's conferences in Vienna that you would have expected to differ: One from European ministers and one from the European Student Union.

In the minister's declaration, protests stem from matters unrelated to the Bologna Process and to insufficient explanation.

Minister: Students should adapt

Bologna education reforms will greatly contribute to the international mobility of young people and will »create unlimited opportunities« for Austrian university students. This is according to Austrian Minister of Science Beatrix Karl at the conference celebrating ten years of Bologna process reforms, writes Chinese news site Xinhuanet.com.

A unified European education area will allow students to have more flexible access to further education opportunities, Beatrix Karl, said.

She added that in a globalised world Austrian students »must adapt to international competition« .

Photo story: Vienna streets thick with protesters

Protesters gathered in Vienna Thursday, loudly demonstrating with banners, chants, and even bubbles in the hope that they would be heard by education and science ministers from 46 European countries, who are celebrating the Bologna education reforms ten-year anniversary inside.

The demonstrations, happenings, and blockades lasted well into the night as activists from all over Europe converged on Vienna's Imperial Palace, where the official celebrations were underway.

Study shows where brains drain, or gain

A recent investigation shows what draws scientists to certain countries, shedding light on Denmark's attraction to foreign researchers and PhD students. The work surveyed active scientists from 16 countries, asking where they originated from, why they had moved and if they ever planned to return to their county of origin.

See the paper and the rest of its data here.

In Greece, social media replaces cash

In Greece, social media are increasingly helping people to help each other.

This is according to Eleni-Revekka Staiou, a PhD student who is researching the new phenomenon in Athens. As we publish, Greece is openly considering leaving the eurozone after five years of economic recession, massive cuts to public spending and a series of financial bailouts.

Students are the experts at finding privacy

Upholding a social life – certainly the fun part that involves loud discussions, sex, quarrelling and loud music – is hard to do in the close proximity of your parents.

Let’s face it: Knowing mum is in the next room is not good for romance. And it is hard to hold a good party for your friends if the guests have to be out before your parents’ curfew.

Leaving home: The facts

29-30 years old was the average age of Slovakians, Italians and Greeks leaving home, even before the recession, according to the most recent statistics from Eurostat, (2007). For men it takes longer with the average Bulgarian, Slovenian and Slovakian man staying at home until they are a 31.5 years old.

In contrast, the average home-leaving age in Finland, France and the Netherlands was around 23, although again men leave the nest slightly later than women.

One in three men and one in five women aged 25 - 34 in the 27 EU member states live with their parents.

Students paralyse Quebec with strikes, demos

University and college students’ protest against a government tuition hike in French-speaking Quebec – also known as the ‘Maple Spring’ – may be coming to an end after more than three months of strikes. The second round of negotiations between students associations and the government appears to have given some results, report Canadian media.