Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus

APPENDIX 3
EDUCATION
Globalization moulds the expectations that society, culture, business and
industry have as to the significance and content of education. Although the
mission of education is always to raise the level of general knowledge, it is also
important to focus on the areas with direct links to future development in the
economy and society. When the priorities are selected, due consideration must
be given to the changes taking place in the research and business environments.
An on-going public debate is important to understand these changes.
The resources available to higher education are scant in Estonia and Finland. To
improve competitiveness, they need to be expanded. At the same time, serious
consideration should be given to the possibility of pooling the resources of
the two countries if found to be efficient and appropriate. It would also mean
specialization by field of study. It is not advisable to try and achieve the highest
level of performance in all scientific work if better resources and conditions in
the same field are available across the Gulf of Finland. The Finnish and Estonian
ministries of education should create flexible procedures for harmonizing the
national goals for education.
The objective should be to create an efficient field of study and research in which
Estonia and Finland would have a shared interest. Aside from specialization
and division of duties, the system would also promote the free mobility of
students and researchers. Such a common area of study and research calls for
coordinated investments and efficient networking.
During 2006–2007, a total of 664 Estonians were pursuing university-level
studies in Finland and 437 Finnish students in Estonia. The EU’s Erasmus
Programme is a key tool in the exchange of students across the Gulf of Finland.
From the beginning of 2008, all the Baltic countries can participate in an
equivalent Nordic programme called Nordplus.
The Bologna Process has harmonized the academic degree standards. While
favourable conditions for the exchange of students and teachers across the
Gulf of Finland have been created, a number of practical problems have also
been encountered that need to be addressed.
To some extent, teaching programmes have already been harmonized to allow
students to earn credits in both countries. Inter-government efforts should
be continued in degree planning – even some form of joint degrees could be
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