Students visiting Denmark from abroad, should be legally required to learn Danish during their stay in the country. This is the latest proposal from the Danish Chamber of Commerce, DE, which represents and lobbies for the Danish business sector, according to Seven59.dk and dr.dk.<\/p>\n
The organisation is concerned about the high numbers of students, who simply leave the country once their studies are over. <\/p>\n
The controversial proposal comes after wider discussions on Denmark\u2019s pressing need for skilled professionals from abroad. Learning Danish will strengthen students\u2019 ability to get a job, as well as integrating them into the society\u2019s culture, according to head of marketing at DE, S\u00f8ren Friis Larsen. <\/p>\n
The proposal has met opposition from the University of Copenhagen, who take in more than 2,000 international students every year. <\/p>\n
\u00bbDenmark is in no way first choice for students, due to its climate, language and costs, and we must not put up any further barriers,\u00ab says John E. Andersen, head of the International Office at the University of Copenhagen.<\/p>\n
Minister of Education Morten \u00d8stergaard will not support the proposal on similar grounds. He says at the same time however that international students nevertheless should be encouraged by their institutions to take up learning Danish.<\/p>\n
miy@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n