TEMPUS III: Trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education, 3rd phase 2000-2006

OBJECTIVE: to propose the third phase of the TEMPUS programme for the period 2000-2006. SUBSTANCE: the Commission proposes to launch the third phase of the TEMPUS programme, to run from 01.07.2000 to 30.06.2006. The aims of TEMPUS III are to promote, in line with the guidelines and general objectives of the Phare and Tacis programmes for economic and social reform, the development of the higher education systems in the non-associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe which are eligible for Phare and do not have access to the Community programmes SOCRATES and LEONARDO (viz. Albania, Bosnia and the Republic of Macedonia) and in the New Independent States and Mongolia by means of cooperation, which should be as balanced as possible, with partners in all Member States of the Community. These actions are open to the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe on the same footing as the G-24 States, Malta and Cyprus, on the basis of financial contributions of their own, to be determined. More precisely, TEMPUS III is intended to help the higher education systems of the partner countries to address: - issues relating to the development and reshaping of teaching syllabuses in the priority areas; - reform of higher education structures and establishments and their management; - the development of training leading to qualifications, with a view to making good the shortage of high-level skills needed for the period of economic reform, particularly by improving and increasing links with industry. The Commission is to cooperate with the competent authorities of each partner to determine the detailed objectives and priorities for TEMPUS III in the context of the national economic and social reform strategy. These priorities are laid down on the basis of the objectives of the programme (and the provisions of the annex to the proposal), as well as in accordance with: - the general objectives of the PHARE and TACIS programmes (with special reference to sectoral aspects of TACIS), - each partner country's policy on economic and social reform and education, - the need to strike an appropriate balance between the priority areas and the resources allocated to TEMPUS III. The measures provided for under TEMPUS are described in detail in the annex to the proposal. They comprise: -joint European projects (JEPs) associating universities and/or enterprises in the countries concerned with partners in the Community, -structural and complementary measures (technical assistance, seminars, studies, etc.), -individual mobility grants for teachers, trainers, university administrators, etc., -support actions. In the financial sphere, as TEMPUS is financed from the Community's overall budgetary contribution to the TACIS and PHARE partner countries, it is up to the latter to decide how the funding for education measures should be allocated. The Commission is responsible for implementing TEMPUS, assisted by an advisory committee and in close cooperation with the competent authorities of the eligible countries. It will constantly monitor the implementation of the activities under the programme (an annual report will be presented concerning TEMPUS). An interim report will be submitted before 30.04.2004, accompanied by proposals for any extension of TEMPUS after 01.07.2006. A final report is to be submitted by 30.06.2009.�