EPFL “europeanizes” its Master Degrees
EPFL has been awarded the EUR-ACE label for 13 of its engineering master degrees. This European accreditation is designed to improve the match between training and industry needs, as well as encouraging the free movement of graduates on the continent.
How best to strengthen the links between industry and the training of engineers? The European label EUR-ACE provides part of the solution to this requirement. Supported by the European Commission, it’s the result of discussions between engineers’ associations and companies. EPFL recently became the first Swiss university to receive this recognition.
“We are aware that universities and industry don’t always communicate effectively,” explains Michel Jaccard, responsible for accreditation and quality assurance at EPFL. “EUR-ACE is attempting to bring these two worlds together.” He adds that this development is in line with the policy of the school, in particular concerning the introduction of mandatory work experience for students in the engineering field.
One of the medium- to long-term goals of the label is to encourage the free movement of graduates on the continent by facilitating the mutual recognition of diplomas. This is why it’s supported by the European Commission. “It’s not an initiative from Brussels, but the Commission supports it because it’s consistent with the objectives of the EU; in this instance the free movement of citizens.”
Created in 2006, EUR-ACE is awarded by agencies present in six European countries. In this case, it’s the French Commission des titres d’ingénieur (CTI) which awarded EPFL its certificate.