A conversation I had this morning convinced me that I ought to write
about the Danish Government's plans for a bright globalised future.
At
a press conference the prime minister and members of his cabinet
presented the public for 333 proposals as to how to meet globalisation
head on. Unfortunately I can't give you a link to these proposals
because they do not seem to be that public.
However, quite a few
of them are said to concern education and research. Both are to be
strengthened. Which is to say that they will constantly be weighed and
measured, meaning that anything that cannot be weighed and measured will
have to give way to the realities of the market.
Some university
teachers are expecting a lemming effect - with everybody running to
where the money is; and this will hardly be in the treasury.
For
years the Danish government has starved universities and public research
facilities, having them find their fundings in private foundations and
companies. Yesterday, when the multitude of plans was revealed both
scientists and business people uttered their hopes for an increase of
public investments in a hurry.
They are likely to be
disappointed. There is much more entertainment to be had in watching
lecturers and professors fight for the survival of their departments
than by taking their needs seriously.
It is a comfort to know that it won't last. But there will be carnage to look forward to before it ends.
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