European students' leader warns about focusing on short-term in drive for competitiveness

The President of the European Students' Union (ESU) has said that the EU risks undermining competitiveness if it focuses on short-term labour market needs.

Speaking at an event in the European Parliament on 05/03/2026 on Europe's universities' role in competitiveness, Lana Par said: "Students want to develop skills for the labour market, but universities also need to provide critical thinking. If we focus on short-term skills, we risk undermining the long-term ability that Europe’s competitiveness actually depends on."

European universities should also remain accessible, she said. "If our education becomes less affordable or inclusive, we lose talent and then competitiveness," she warned.

Par was speaking at an event co-organised by the European University Association (EUA) and Laurence Farreng, a French MEP who is drafting a report on the EU's Horizon Europe research programme, entitled "How Europe and its universities can join forces for competitiveness and sustainable prosperity".

Speaking at the event, Marcin Pałys, EUA Vice-President, said that the debate about the role that…