Report shows European university budget winners and losers in austerity-driven era - David Jobbins, University World News

A study of the impact of austerity-driven policies on universities in 13 countries across Europe shows a divergence between clear winners and losers, with southern European countries generally but not exclusively faring worst. Finland is leading the pack of countries expanding university education budgets while the most savage impact of cuts is being felt in Italy and Portugal. The Europaeum – an organisation representing 10 élite universities across Europe – has updated an earlier assessment of the impact of the Eurozone crisis. This latest report catalogues the effects of government austerity measures on 13 countries where its members and partner institutions are located and assesses the extent to which universities are affected. The countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal and the UK.