Higher education has been one of the major thematic areas of the "European Journal of Education" over the years, and the relationships between higher education the world of work have been one of the 10 major themes in this area. The multitude of related articles shows substantial changes of the situation and the related discourse. The…

A study of the cultures of academic disciplines within the university suggests that each discipline is not a homogeneous entity but a constantly changing grouping of smaller components, all related to the process of specialization. The commonalities in these subdisciplines could contribute to greater interdisciplinary understanding, and they…

Issues in vocational education in Europe are summarized. Varied strategies and emphases are noted including the introduction of more general education, increased emphasis on excellence in technical training, and increased specialization in some disciplines. Obstacles are also seen such as fear of overspecialization, lack of prestige, and…

The failure of education systems around the world to establish and exploit the crucial link between education and the labor market is examined. Suggestions are made for closing the gap by educational enhancement, redirection, balancing costs, and promoting school-industry links. (MSE)

A trend away from higher education as vocational education and toward student development is occurring in West Germany, but will require less emphasis on specialization and more recognition and cultivation of students as individuals with different interests, experiences, needs, goals, and behaviors. (MSE)

A discussion of internationalization of education in the United States looks at three aspects of the effort: study abroad; substantive instruction about other societies/cultures; and foreign-language education. For each aspect, emphasis is on four educational objectives: factual knowledge, development of empathy, attitudinal change, and…

In the Netherlands, freedom of research and teaching are self-evident, but equally self-evident are the government limits set on this freedom through legislation, regulations, and financial constraints imposed. Having begun as restrained advice, government influence has become active control in current circumstances. Mutual survival is now the…

The increase in student numbers, resulting adaptation of the curriculum, and changes in the profile of teacher-researchers in France from 1950 to 1980 suggest the need for changes in graduate study in the 1990s, including increased interdisciplinarity, development of discipline-based research centers, and improved industry-university cooperation.…

A review of European research on the relationship between higher education and employment addresses a variety of issues, including changing employment opportunities and patterns for graduates, "appropriate" employment and educational relevance, and employer expectations and recruitment criteria. (MSE)