The Danish Science Minister, Helge Sander has come up with the suggestion to establish, what he calls ‘manpower’ scholarships for prospective students coming to study in Denmark. The idea is for the Danish state to cover the costs of study for promising international students, on condition that they stay and work in Denmark for a few years after graduation.

The main ambition behind this new ministerial initiative is not only to reverse the ongoing decrease in the number of foreign students coming to the country for a full degree, but moreover to encourage them to seek employment on the Danish labour market. At present, an estimated 53 percent of international students taking a Master’s degree in Denmark leave the country less than a year after graduation.

Time will tell, if the proposal will come through.

Danish Government