Barroso wants EU technology institute to rival US colleges

COMMISSION President José Manuel Barroso wants to establish a European Institute of Technology (EIT) to rival the best universities in the US.

However, several member states are uneasy with the proposal, fearing it could strip their own third-level institutions of funding and staff.

Finance Minister Brian Cowen indicated last night that, while Ireland broadly supported it, the Government want to see final plans before fully committing.