COPENHAGEN: Major reforms of higher education in Denmark could further cut the number of students studying humanities subjects, observers warn.
One of the key recommendations of a report drawn up by rectors, government officials, academics and business representatives is that the number of study places available in each discipline should be linked to labour market need, which critics say is the latest sign of utilitarian drift in Danish higher education.
Explaining the reforms, Søren Pind, minister for education and research, reportedly said that “we will see a scaling down of the humanities” as a result.
Toke Dahler, general secretary of the Danish National Union of Students, said that the proposed reforms were of “very great concern” and that there was “no question” they would cut humanities student numbers further. The report suggests that humanities degrees are “not worthwhile,” he argued.
So, although the recommendations build on existing policy, they “send a signal to the university management that this is important,” she added.
Another controversial proposal – opposed by the Akademikerne and universities – is to reduce the power of academics and students over curriculum design. At the moment, “study groups” of students and staff nominate course managers, Ms Bangskjær explained. But government and some industry representatives who devised the recommendations want to allow university managers the exclusive power to appoint course managers, and reduce study groups to an advisory role, she added. “There’s a risk that the university staff are not involved themselves,” Ms Bangskjær said. “We feel that would damage the legitimacy of the programme leaders.”
