Speech of Neelie KROES Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda on Safer Internet Day 2014 in Brussels, 11 February 2014.

The reform in education system in the member states can be a driving force behind the EU's exit from the crisis. It is in the common European interest to educate and train specialists, which national economies need to sustain global competition. New markets in Europe need greater numbers of more sophisticated specialist with new skills. For all this to happen, the member states' education and training system needs investment.

Students and academic staff from Latin America will have more opportunities to study or train in European universities thanks to increased support from Erasmus+, the new European funding programme for education, training, sport and youth. This is the message that Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, will deliver at the 9th International Congress of Higher Education which takes place in Havana, Cuba, from 10-14 February. European students and staff will similarly have the opportunity to experience Latin American universities. During her visit to the island, the Commissioner will also hold talks with senior government figures including the Ministers for Foreign Affairs (Bruno Rodriguez), Higher Education (Rodolfo Alarcon Ortiz), Education (Elsa Velazquez), Culture (Rafael Bernal) and Foreign Trade and Investment (Rodrigo Malmierca).

'Blue sky' basic science is focused on advancing knowledge, but it can sometimes generate unexpected applications. That is why the European Research Council (ERC) provides top-up funding, 'Proof of Concept', for its grant holders to bring their pioneering work closer to market. The final results of the latest grant competition for this funding were announced today: a total of 67 leading researchers, who already hold ERC grants, have received up to €150,000 each. The projects cover everything from an exploration of the molecular foundations of psychiatric disorders to technological innovations that could help rescue skiers caught in avalanches, or measure extreme waves.

On February 6-8, the 12th international exhibition of knowledge and education STUDIES 2014 will take place in the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre LITEXPO.

48% of Lithuania's citizens are using the internet banking for their personal commissions and payments for services.

Speech of Androulla VASSILIOU, Member of the European Commission for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth has taken place in the King's College in London on 31 January 2014.

The European Commission today published a proposal bringing together two currently separate school schemes, the School Fruit Scheme and the School Milk Scheme, under a joint framework. In a context of declining consumption among children for these products, the aim is to address poor nutrition more effectively, to reinforce the educational elements of the programmes and to contribute to fight against obesity. With the slogan "Eat well - feel good", this enhanced scheme from farm to school will put greater focus on educational measures to improve children's awareness of healthy eating habits, the range of farm produce available, as well as sustainability, environmental and food waste issues.

Since the beginning of this year BAIP group has spun-off its cyber defence services into an independent, specialized cyber security company NRD CS, managed by Dr. Vilius Benetis. The company is also a cyber security centre of excellence for Norway Registers Development AS, BAIP and Norway Registers Development East Africa Ltd.

According to two reports published by the European Commission on quality assurance in higher education and vocational training (28 January 2014), EU member states have to explore a new approach to teaching in universities and vocational colleges. Education facilities in the Baltic States have to modernise both the teaching methods and courses' structures to face market realities.