"It is regrettable that the study progress reform deprives students of the opportunity to influence their own profile when getting a foothold in the labour market by taking student jobs, internships and work placements or by starting their own business and the like," says Berit Eika, vice-dean for education at AU. 

She also recommends that the students utilise the opportunities that are already incorporated into many academic regulations to link practice and theory, for example through an internship as an approved part of the degree programme.

In addition, the Committee on Education is working to create the right framework for including a greater degree of practical elements in the degree programmes.

"We are fully aware of the problems," says Berit Eika.

Translated by Peter Lambourne