Europe of learning opportunities through the click of a mouse

Citation

(2003), "Europe of learning opportunities through the click of a mouse", Education + Training, Vol. 45 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2003.00445eab.010

Europe of learning opportunities through the click of a mouse

Europe of learning opportunities through the click of a mouse

I want to move to Italy and study architecture; what is the easiest way of finding out what is available? I have to move to Sweden with my family; how am I going to find out about the school system for my children? The answers to these questions and more can be found through the new EU Ploteus Internet portal, designed to connect people to detailed information on education and training in Europe. This portal on learning opportunities throughout the European space (Ploteus), which in ancient Greek means "navigator", was launched by the European Commissioner in charge of education, Viviane Reding. "Moving country and learning abroad are no longer restricted to any particular age or social group. Lifelong learning is a priority for the European Commission and the member states. I am proud that Ploteus makes it easier to find the necessary information to study and train in another part of Europe", said Viviane Reding.

Ploteus has sections on learning opportunities, education systems, exchanges, contacts, and moving to a different European country. The portal complements the Eures portal, which gives access to the European database on job opportunities. The learning-opportunities section connects surfers to national education Web sites, providing lists of schools, colleges and other educational institutions. One can weigh up various options about studying anything from engineering in Finland, business in Spain or forestry in Austria.

The section on education systems provides detailed information about national education and training systems at all levels, from primary through to post-graduate as well as further education and training. The exchange section provides the necessary information to take part in European exchange programmes, giving students the opportunity to study abroad for a fixed amount of time during their studies.

Contact details for various guidance centres throughout Europe, where one can speak directly to experts, are provided in the contact section. The moving-to-a-country section provides practical information on a possible new destination. It includes hints about finding accommodation, details about the legal framework for studying and working as well as basics such as the cost of living and tax and social security issues.

The Ploteus portal is at: www.ploteus.net