

RST Minister Wauquiez +Strasbourg University Head Beretz to ERFRA: EU Science+Education Innovations

* Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- European Universities' strategy focusing on "Excellence" and "Innovation" must exist not only in Scientific and Technological Research, but also on Educational Innovations, able to guarantee that No Students are left behind in a kind of intellectual Divide, but, on the contrary, finding ways to succeed a general Development of all People involved. In this sense too, Strasbourg's University, given its Geographic location at EU's Heart, its Cultural Tradition and History, (as Symbol of Franco-German Reconciliation and Easr-West ReUnification initially inside CoE), as well as the recent "Excellence" projects chosen in order to be funded by "Investments for the Future", should become "the 1st European University" throughout all EU, replied French Minister of Scientific Research and University Education, experienced former EU affairs Minister, Laurent Wauquiez, to "EuroFora"s questions during his visit to Strasbourg University's Campus to meet both Top Scientific Researchers and its President Alain Beretz, as well as several other Professors and many Students, including, through the "Erasmus' program, from many other EU Countries.
- F.ex., "Tri-National Cursus", in an emerging "proximity EU University", might, however, be an even Better concrete Option here, as Beretz suggested, (See infra).
- "This week, during EU Parliament's (Plenary) Session, Top MEPs pointed at the fact that the specific character of EU's Strategy out of the Global Crises, compared to USA's Strategy, is that EU Countries currently focus into Investing in Innovation, including Education, while the USA spend also partly to stimulate Consumption. (See yesterday's "EuroFora" NewsReport on EPP President Joseph Daul's statements). Do you think that Strasbourg's University, that you have chosen to visit 1st, as you said, because it's at the Forefront of New Reforms, and considering also its paricular location, (in EU's Heart, at the Borders of Germany and Switzerland), could and should become Exemplary in this direction ?", "EuroFora" had asked Wauquiez.
- "My Dream, for Strasbourg's University, is to make it "THE European University !" (i.e. for all the EU), ambitiously started to reply the French Minister of Education/Research, and former EU affairs Minister, to "EuroFora"s question. - "And if it was earmarked among the "Excellence" and "Investments for the Future" Research projects (funded by the State), it's also because the plans presented by its President (professor Alain Beretz) and his Team are also inspired by this Idea, and I find that Strong enough for France", Wauquiez observed. "Moreover, there is all this Tradition of Rhenan Humanism, Strasbourg's History (including as Symbol of the Franco-German Reconciliation, as well as for the ReUnification of Eastern and Western Europe, initially inside CoE, etc). "So, what I wish is that Strasbourg's University succeeds to impose itself inside the European landscape as becoming the 1st really big "European" University", the experienced former EU affairs Minister concluded.
- "I can't but follow you", confirmed, smiling, on this point also the President of Strasbourg's University, professor Alain Beretz, in reply to "EuroFora"s question. "But this great goal, in practice, is often hampered by vaious practical, administrative issues."F.ex. from both sides, (of the Rhine river), we have a Tri-National (Franco - German + Swiss) Bio-Technology Diploma. But it is harmed by Administrative Differencies among various Systems, because, f.ex., in France s needed a Back + 2 in order to become Engineer, etc", he critically observed. "But, also, even more ordinary things, such as, f.ex. the Universities' Agenda, etc : Things as Simple as that.. So that, today, we need, perhaps, to go towards some "Exceptions", Beretz suggested.
+ "But, what we are trying to do together with our German Neighbours is to create a kind of "European University of Proximity" : We have the Germans in Freibourg and Karlsruhe, the Swiss in Bale, etc", Strasbourg University's President noted. "Always with specificities. The secret is to respect the Specific aspects of each one, and, at the same time, to be able to advance towards each other", he found. "Sometimes there are also Transports, perhaps we should develop Tele-training", etc. However, the Languages are a "Bonus" in this area. We also have a Tri-National (Franco-Germano-Swiss) Cursus in Chemistry, which is very Good : that's something that we could discuss with you, if you wish", (as Beretz suggested in direction of Minister Wauquiez). "We saw together Erasmus' (EU) programs, but the Tri-National Cursus are, probably, something of Higher Quality'", Beretz appreciated. "It consists into Bringing Together, inside One and same Promotion, Students of Differend Origins", he explained. - "We already have some Experimental sites" of this kind, "which should probably be Developed further", he suggested, "but it requires hard work".
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Wauquiez explained earlier that he had Chosen to Start visiting Universities all over France from Strasbourg, because "this year's (2011) University Classes' entry was put under the moto : "Implement the (Policy) Changes in concrete terms", in everyday life, and "Strasbourg (University) is the perfect Symbol of what has already started to Move most of all", according to recent policy shifts :
- "F.ex. it recently (2009) concentrated all its activities in one University (instead of 3 before), and, thus, it can develop now various PluriDisciplinary approaches easier ; It has got a brillant palmares with many Research and other projects labelled (and supported by the State as) "Excellent" (f.ex. "LabExc", etc); it has just launched its New Campus plan, where we are trying to accelerate things and solve any eventually remaining practical difficulty, f.ex. in completing Publc-private partnerships, etc", the Minister observed.
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+ "But, an important Message, is that "Excellence" is not build by abandoning other Students on the road, "Excellence doesn't mean Segregation" (social Divide)", Wauquiez went on to add resolutely.
=> Therefore, together with the Excellence in Research, "we need also a Pedagogocal Excellence", in Universities (like that of Strasbourg) which Educates in an Innovaive way", the French Minister stressed.
- "Excelence isn't an Elitist frenzy which lets Students down ! We are not yet satisfied with overall results" on this point, "and that's why we must Change things", he concluded with Voluntarism.

+ Indeed, as the 1st Vice-President of Strasbourg's University, M. Deneken, told "EuroFora", "we must solve a Problem concerning mainly Students until the Bachelor Degree", i.e. during the First 3 Years.
++ The competent Strasbourg University's Vice-President for Education, Mrs Frederique Granet, speaking earlier to "EuroFora" stressed the point that the Solution should be found mainly by creating adequate "Educative Innovations".
3 different New Projects illustrated in concrete terms this approach :
- The 1st searched to fight against the large Number of immature Students droping out of the system, particularly when they are just starting to enter in a university : Affecting from 38% of Students in Law/Economy, up to 61% in Human/Social Sciences, during the first three Years , who "disappear" without notice ,sometimes it may happen even for Good Students at HighSchool and College, who go unprepared and unmotivated to a University where they face Massification in huge Amphitheaters, without Personal, direct Contacts with Professors acting only ex cathedra...
Experience proved, nevertheless, that, by finding the Right Orientation able to motivate each person, ensuring that he/she's equiped with elementary Tools for Information research and adequate Basic Knowledge, as well as adding Direct, Personal and useful Contacts with Trainers/Professors or other Educatational staff (a key factor, as many noted), Young Students can find anew their way back to normal Universiy cursum success, (as 2 Young persons illustrated in concrete examples, describing their personal experiences of a Special Program set up by Strasbourg's University for the 1st time).
- The 2nd recognized and developed further the value of Benevolent work offered to the Community by Students who, on the contrary, find enough Time to invest in Social or Communal activities for the benefit of all, (f.ex. welcoming New Students, running various Associations, creating Collective Socio-Cultural Events, animate the Campus, etc), in parallel and in addition to their main University Studies.
- Last but not least, special Education tools were also prepared for a growing number of "Erasmus" Students from various other EU Countries (f.ex. Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, etc) attracted by Strasbourg's University, for which its President, Professor Alain Beretz, has recently anounced also a project to build a huge "European/International" University Residence for Foreign Srudents, where will be also concentrated all kinds of Services they need in everyday life, starting by rehabilitating a superb Skyscraper Tower located at the former Docks area, currently changed (as in happened also for London's famous former Docks' area) into a Modern Residential quarter, with Public Libraries, Musical centers, beautiful Riverside parcs, etc.

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+ Meanwhile, Scientific and Technologic Research was highlighted in Minister Wauquiez visit in Strasbourg's University by the famous example of the Strategic junction between Physics and Medicine offered by a series of innovative, High-Tech projects related to Non- or Mini-Evasive Surgery guided by Optical Images : F.ex. Optical devices, Medical Robotics, Computerisation, Tele-Medicine, etc, which are mainly illustrated in the concrete field f.ex. of the Fight against Cancers of the Digestive system, at IRCAD, headed by the well-known Professor Maresceau, (who has also presented an overall Report with proposed Reforms in the sector of Hospitals and Education/Research in Medicine in general, at the demand of French President Sarkozy, published shortly before his January 2009 visit to inaugurate Strasbourg's landmark, High-Tech New Civl Hospital : Comp. also earlier "EuroFora"s NewsReports).
Already, 67,3 Millions € were awarded to such projects when they were officially recognized, earlier this year, as one among the 6 "Investments for the Future", funded by the "Great Loan" of 35 Billions € for all sectors of Economy, anounced by the French President Sarkozy on December 2009 in Strasbourg, (See "EuroFora"s NewsReport from the event).

- As Professor Maresceau has recently said himself to "EuroFora", the Training of Doctors and Engineers in order to become able to use such Innovative Tools is currently spreading various forms of cooperation wih several Countries througout the World, including, f.ex., Taiwan, Brazil, etc., Moreover, until now, there is not any other Labo in Europe having so Big, numerous and Efficient, innovative Machines as those which were set up and concentrated in Strasbourg's Hospitalo-Unversitarian Centers (CHU).
Among Non- or Mini-Evasive Medicine, bringing together Innovations in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Medicine at Pluri-Disciplinary, collective Research Projects in Strasbourg, are also those who are recently developed by the Charles Sadron Institute on Polymers f.ex.on Bio-Technologies such as, f.ex. those who could provide the Human Organism with the necessary Medical Drugs at targetted organs even without being obliged to pas through the Digestive functions, but using, f.ex. Molecular Vectors, as "EuroFora" discussed wih President Beretz, who agreed on the relevant importance of such Pioneer research too, on which a New Doctoral Thesis is due to be presented later this Month.
(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. Watch out for a complete, more accurate, Final version asap)
***
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The incoming Swedish EU Presidency (July-December 2009) may still remain in favour of Turkey's controversial EU bid, despite June 2009 EU Elections' results, but it has "very strong demands on Turkey"'s obligation to respect EU Rules, said the Head of Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, Cecilia Julin, to "EuroFora", reacting to critical Press reports.
- "I know (that) the link is often made also to Sweden's position on Turkey"'s controversial EU bid. Indeed, "we (Swedish EU Presidency) are very much engaged in the future membership of Turkey, but not without fullfiling all the Criteria".
- "It's very clear that we (Swedish EU Presidecny) have very Strong Demands on Turkey, in a sort of concept for Future membership of the Union, ...which will be a Long Process...", she stressed.
This means, in particular, "the Copenhagen Criteria (on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law), and also the adaptation to the Acquis of the European Union".
- "If you listen to what Mr. Bildt (the Swedish Foreign Minister) says on Turkey at different occasions, it's very clear : We want Turkey to become part of the Union, in the Future. But we want it to fullfil all the Criteria : The Acquis of the European Union. That's very clear", she concluded.
The Senior Official of the Swedish Foreign Ministry was reacting to critical Press Reports, from Brussels' Journalists invited by EU Commission's secretariat to Stockholm, who claimed that Bildt was abusing of a ..."Whip" (sic !) against Cyprus, by "threatening" the presence of UNO's Peace-keeping force at the "Green line" which separates the island's Government-controlled areas from the territories occupied by Ankara's army, if Nicosia didn't accept any political solution, regardless of Turkey's demands, before the end of 2009.
Governing AKEL Party's new Secretary General, Andros Kyprianou, reacted by declaring that no-one can threat the People of Cyprus : -"We shall decide for our Future, and nobody else", he reportedly said, asking to "keep calm". "In order to find a Solution soon, certain basic Principles must be respected", he stressed, calling those who feel an urgency to use their influence on Turkey. Other Political Parties were more critical.
This was a reference to recently reported statements by Turkish Minister Bagis, Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan and Turkey's National Security Council (a Military-Political body), accused to push towards a partitionist "2 States" solution, contrary to UNO SC Resolutions for Cyprus' reunification.
December 2009 is a crucial moment for EU's appraisal of Turkey's controversial EU bid, because EU Council has decided to review then Ankara's compliance with the European position on the recognition of Cyprus' Government, which was clearly set out by an EU reply of 21 September 2005 to Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan's claims, refusing to recognize even the existence of EU Member Cyprus, in controversial statements he made to London (former EU chair) on July 29, 2005.
EU Parliament's latest Resolution on Turkey, adopted on March 2009 in Strasbourg, warned Ankara that "the non-fulfillment of Turkey's commitments... by December 2009, may further seriously affect the process of Negotiations" with the EU.
In practice, the issue boils down to Ankara's "embargo" against Ships and Airplanes using Cyprus' seaports or airports at the strategic EU island, which traditionaly hosts one of the World's biggest Shipping flags. EU has already "freezed" 6 relevant Chapters in EU - Turkey Negotiations since December 2006, after Ankara refused to fullfil a commitment it had undertaken when EU had decided to open controversial "accession" negotiations with Turkey, back on December 2005.
- "As far as EU - Turkey relations are concerned, it's clear that Turkey needs to fullfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the additional Protocol (to "EC-Turkey Association Agreement"), This is an important issue....and should be addresseed as soon as possible as it clearly affects the pace of the accession negotiations.Issues covered by the Declaration of September 2005 will continue to be followed up, and progress is urgently awaited", warned earlier in Strasbourg the out-going Czech EU Presidency (former vice-Prime Minister Alexander Vodra).
But the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, Cecilia Julin, dismissed "interpretations" by "some" that Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was reportedly "threatening" Cyprus with consequences on the UNFICYP, if it doesn't accept any solution until December 2009, while Turkey is reportedly delaying in an attempt to impose a partitionist "2 States" solution.
On the contrary, Julin, stressed that "Sweden has strong demands on Turkey'"s respect of "Copenhagen Criteria and EU Acquis".
Meanwhile, Sweden is "concerned" about the risk of "Stalemate" in Cyprus' Talks, but is well aware that "the main responsibilities lie with the two leaders and the UNO", Europe playing only a role of "facilitator".
After carefully verifying, the Head of Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, stressed to "EuroFora" that Bildt's reference to UNFICYP "was not linked to a Threat", and dismissed those who "interpreted" it so.
On the contrary, the Swedish EU Presidency acknowledged the fact that Peace Talks are mainly for the UN and the leaders of the Cypriot communities, EU's role being limited into that of a "facilitator".
As for Turkey's reported attempts to impose a "2 States' solution", the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service sharply replied by stressing that Turkey must respect the "EU Acquis" rules.
In particular :
- "Basically he (Bildt) underlined that it's the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus and the UN that have the main responsibilities for solving the problem", started to say the Swedish Senior Official to "EuroFora", referring to the above-mentioned "briefing".
- "But the EU had a role in sort of pointing out the benefits and facilitating a little bit the outcome for the settlement of the whole Cyprus' issue", she added.
- "And he did state the Fact, that the rest of the World (i.e. USA, etc) will, of course, look at the differend issues which are at the table, and the future of the UN Peace keeping force is part of what is at the table", she admitted.
- "I understand that some have interpreted that as a Threat, by the Swedish Minister" "But", in reality, "it's a statement of a Fact, that, when we'll look at the differend issues, one of the issues on which we shall have to take a stand on, is the future of the UN Peace keeping force in Cyprus".
Indeed, one of the questions usually raised for a Solution of Cyprus' issue is what International and/or European or other Guarantees, by a Peace-keeping force, might be needed afterwards, eventually for a transitory period.
Questioned anew by "EuroFora" whether (according to critical Press Reports) this could be taken as a veiled warning that, if Cyprus didn't accept any Turkish demand for any solution whatever, it might be left alone to face Ankara's Military Invasion/Occupation, she denied :
- "He (Bildt) didn't say it in that way"... "It was not linked to a threat, or anything like that", the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service stressed.
On the contrary, "he (Bildt) underlined that the main responsibility lies with the parties concerned on the island". "The EU can try to facilitate and show the benefits of reaching a settlement. But also, when the EU and the rest of the World (i.e. USA) will have to look at it, they will look at all the Facts on the table, and the presence of the UN Peace-keeping force is one".
And "he (Bildt) didn't speak about that at all", she replied to "EuroFora" question on Turkey's reported attemps to impose, in one way of another, a partitionist "2 States solution".
Asked whether Bildt's aim was to incite both parties to move forward efficiently, she agreed :
- In fact, "the EU is really very concerned with the Stalemate in the situation. Yes !", the Head of Sweden's Foreign Ministry's Press Service anounced. That's why Bildt "was hoping for the two parties (i.e. for Turkey's also) to engage and break, a little-bit, the present stalemate, come to a solution of the issue" of Cyprus.
But, replying to a "EuroFora"s question on the risk, denounced by several politicians in case of strict Time Deadlines, for Turkey to provoke a stalemate and wait for the time to come to impose a partitionist "2 States' solution", she reacted by pointing at Turkey's obligation to respect "EU Acquis" :
- "Turkey must fullfil the EU Acquis : That's clear !", the Swedish Senior Official stressed.
More details are expected when Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt will debate his Programme with new MEPs at EU Parliament's plenary mid-July in Strasbourg, that he has visited already in 2008.
Foreign Minister Carl Bildt became familiar with Strasbourg's CoE last year, when Sweden chaired the PanEuropean organization of Human Rights. As EU chairman-in-office, he will also chair the 27-member States strong EU Group inside the 47-member States strong CoE.
Minister for EU affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom is well known at EU Parliament, where she has been an active MEP of the Liberal Group for many years, following also Press Freedom issues.
Both have already made various statements at "EuroFora", on differend topical matters.