Last month, Morten
Østergaard, Denmark´s Minister of Science, Innovation and Higher Education,
introduced three new legislative proposals designed to increase the number of Danish
students studying abroad by increasing student loan flexibility, improving the
recognition and awarding of academic credit in Denmark for study abroad and
introducing a quality assurance system among Danish higher education institutions.
In 2009-10 Denmark hosted
24,485 international students, 62% of whom were studying for a full degree,
while 9,825 Danish students were studying internationally with only 35% of
those working toward a full degree.
Østergaard’s plan is part
of a broader push to improve the prospects and competitiveness of Danish
students. Indeed, the government has announced an increase in spending on
higher education in 2013, raising the budget ceiling DKK 3 billion (US $506
million) to cover additional expenses from a record intake of students and DKK
6.5 billion (US $1.14 billion) have been assigned to investment in new buildings, upgrades to research labs and an increase in per capit allocation for students in humanities and social
sciences.
Danish rectors at the
August 2012 Universities Denmark conference also called for changes, especially
in what concerns improving immigration and tax requirements for international
students.
