Councillor Pérez is presenting proposals in Europe that will boost EU competitiveness through higher education

• The Councillor is committed to the development of distinctive higher education centres that provide training and attract talent, with the objective of generating innovations that will transform industry, the market and society.

The Basque Minister of Science, Universities and Innovation, Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias, presented the common position of the Autonomous Communities on education at the EU Council of Ministers of Education, Youth, Culture and Sport. This was the culmination of the six-month period of the Basque Government's work in coordinating the participation of the Autonomous Communities.

In response to the question of how to support European higher education institutions to become drivers of the EU's global competitiveness, Pérez highlighted the crucial role that regional and local governments must play.

To achieve sustainable growth at the European level, the Councillor has proposed the creation of distinctive, specialised higher education institutions that train and attract talented individuals capable of driving innovation that transforms industry, the market and society. He also highlighted the importance of focusing on areas where, through sustainable efforts, advantageous positions can be achieved through disruptive innovations.

Regarding the planned university degree, Pérez emphasized that it should address three significant challenges currently facing both universities and research centres: the need for talent, the shortage of disruptive innovations, and the skills gap between the competencies of those entering the labour market and the requirements of the socio-economic fabric.

The Autonomous Community of the Basque Country has assumed the role of coordinating the autonomous participation of the areas of education and culture in the Council of Ministers of Education, Youth, Culture and Sport of the EU during the second half of 2024. This has entailed participation in the Working Groups that have been responsible for modulating the documents and decisions adopted and approved in the Council. It is pertinent to mention that the Basque Country has proposed and subsequently adopted amendments to the decisions and proposals for European legislation adopted by the Council.