AMSTERDAM, June 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe is losing the battle for talented minds. Given the conspicuous absence of European universities from the top spots in the global higher education rankings (with the exception of a handful of UK ones), Europe's best and brightest are leaving in droves for the US. This trend exacerbates Europe's increasing shortage of top-rank graduates in the labour market, while threatening stagnation in academic research and teaching, all essential in a globalised, knowledge-based economy.

In order to regain its competitive edge, Europe needs to be the vibrant and creative place which attracts talent from all over the world. This can be achieved through economic innovation, increased social cohesion and political support and a more vibrant cultural dynamism. In A chance for European Universities, Ritzen outlines changes that will help achieve this goal:

- An increase in private finance to meet the public budget cuts - More autonomy and less bureaucracy to boost innovation in research and teaching - Denationalisation of the Bologna process with emphasis on European-wide accreditation and quality control

Presentation of A Chance for European Universities

Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth will receive a copy of the book on Wednesday 16 June in Brussels, Belgium. A High-level expert meeting will be held in Brussels on 15-16 June with the purpose of drawing up a Manifesto on Higher Education Reform aiming to boost Europe-wide commitment to educational reform.

Jo Ritzen has published widely on the economics of education, public finance and public policy.

Jo Ritzen has written one of the most important recent books on the structure and financing of universities, on the Bologna process, on the challenges facing the 21st century university.

Yehuda Elkana, former President of Central European University, Hungary

Ritzen's book is a must-read for students and scholars of higher education and those that take a deep interest in Europe's future in the world.

Detlef Mueller-Boeling, former Director of the Centre for Higher Education Development, Germany

Amsterdam University Press - ISBN 978 90 8964 229 5 - paperback, 224 pages - http://www.aup.nl

SOURCE: Amsterdam University Press

CONTACT: For more information or to request a review copy:marketing@aup.nl; Ebisse Wakjira-Rouw, +31-20-530-7186