The rapporteur can confirm, on the basis of conversations, the impression that the importance of practical vocational training based on cooperation between schools and industry (e.g. the dual system in Germany) is not sufficiently well-known in countries where education is, typically, based solely in schools, nor is the considerable investment in terms of expertise, time and cost which is entailed in gaining a quality professional higher education qualification such as a master craftsman’s diploma or recognition as a ‘Fachwirt’ (a non-academic professional qualification).

Such evaluation and appraisal procedures should take due account of their overall research creativity and research results, e.g. publications, patents, management of research, teaching/lecturing, supervision, mentoring, national or international collaboration, administrative duties, public awareness activities and mobility, and should be taken into consideration in the context of career progression.

for a VTS-official ("VTS-functionaris") of a total duration of at least 15 years, comprising at least three years of Higher Vocational Education ("HBO") or Intermediate Vocational Training ("MBO"), followed by national and regional specialisation courses each comprising at least 12 weeks of theoretical training and each culminating in an examination and recognised under the International STCW Convention (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978).

Because, at least on the part of those who have been in contact with me, university teachers of information technology, experts in patents and industrial property and also representatives of small businesses, what I have heard, rather than aggression, has been concern; concern at the way things are progressing and the danger being faced in terms of the possibilities for inventions.

[17] The Barcelona European Council also requested to develop digital literacy through the generalisation of an Internet and computer user's certificate for secondary school pupils and to undertake a feasibility study to identify options for helping secondary schools to establish or enhance an internet twinning link with a partner school elsewhere in Europe (paragraph 44).

Recital 23 lays down that a mere DNA sequence without indication of a function does not contain any technical information and is therefore not a patentable invention.