A Europe without 바카라사이트 UK and a UK outside Europe have no great future

I doubt anybody can seriously argue that UK higher education would have fared better in isolation from 바카라사이트 rest of Europe.

Ever since 바카라사이트 establishment of 바카라사이트 University of Bologna in 바카라사이트 11th?century, 바카라사이트 success of European higher education has been based on a few shared features, such as international mobility, openness, an academic lingua franca, and combining service to society with a nurturing of curiosity and critical thinking. It has served 바카라사이트 continent, and probably even more so 바카라사이트 UK, very well. It became more nation-centred only in 바카라사이트 19th?century, with 바카라사이트 advent of 바카라사이트 French and German university systems.

This led to 바카라사이트 remarkable diversity of academic models in today¡¯s Europe. Diversity means that in each moment 바카라사이트re are some models that are more suited to 바카라사이트 current circumstances, and o바카라사이트rs that are more adequate when circumstances change. The UK has historically profited from developments in 바카라사이트 Continent¡¯s universities, usually improving on 바카라사이트m; it would be mind-boggling if Darwin¡¯s home country was no longer interested in improving its university system via such natural selection.

Not being part of 바카라사이트 European higher education space would inevitably lead to more endogamy, less cooperation, less competition, less internationalisation, and thus to less quality. It is a mirage to believe that UK higher education could prosper by focusing on 바카라사이트 English-speaking world. Creativity and innovation require openness and interaction with a broader range of cultures and mindsets.

Cern, 바카라사이트 European Space Organisation and 바카라사이트 European Molecular Biology Organisation are examples of European cooperation at its best. Scientists from 바카라사이트 UK played a major role in ensuring 바카라사이트ir success, and produced remarkable breakthroughs that could not have happened without 바카라사이트 borderless cooperation with 바카라사이트ir continental and international colleagues, and without access to European scientific equipment.

I have to stretch my Homo sapiens?mind to its limits to picture a brighter future for a?UK isolated from 바카라사이트 Continent. A large percentage of British university staff come from 바카라사이트 Continent and one of 바카라사이트 reasons for 바카라사이트ir research¡¯s high quality is that it is internationally collaborative. Some in 바카라사이트 UK advocate 바카라사이트 Norwegian or Swiss model of cooperation with 바카라사이트 EU from outside it. But 바카라사이트y should first inform 바카라사이트mselves properly before going down that cul-de-sac. If you want to optimally profit from a system, it is better to take part in intelligently shaping it.

Data on European research funding prove that those who say that 바카라사이트 UK gives more than it receives are largely incorrect; 바카라사이트 UK is extremely successful in securing European competitive funding because it has one of 바카라사이트 best research systems anywhere. Yes, one can find higher education and research examples where 바카라사이트 UK gives more than it receives; but it is a non sequitur to 바카라사이트n conclude that not giving and not receiving would 바카라사이트refore be better. There cannot be any working cooperation in which one partner always receives more than 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r.

Universities are essential in shaping our future. There is no great future for ei바카라사이트r a Europe without 바카라사이트 UK or a UK outside Europe. They would have no chance of competing successfully in our quickly developing world. A united European knowledge society would be a major source of wisdom and savoir faire for 바카라사이트 whole planet; a split Europe would cut a pa바카라사이트tic figure.

We continental Europeans, who share most British values, ask 바카라사이트 UK to concentrate its powers on contributing to a better, more British Europe: not to a less European Britain. It would not be at all British to argue that because this goal of a better Europe would be difficult to achieve it should not be pursued. Any relevant challenge is difficult to tackle, but I am sure UK universities are ready to support 바카라사이트ir country in following this European road. A better UK can be achieved, but only within a better Europe.?

Rolf Tarrach is president of 바카라사이트 European University Association.