European Diploma given EU assistance

At a meeting of the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) last week, delegates heard that &\#163;76,000 would come from the European Union, with a loan from the Continental optical industry, particularly lens companies, of another &\#163;18,000. The remaining money will be split between representative groups on ECOO. The second sitting of the qualification, to be staged at the turn of the year, has not been in doubt. However, with delays to its Leonardo Fund investment (News, March 26) and this new funding partially in the form of a loan, the Diploma's long-term future remains in doubt. A spokesman for ECOO said: 'There will have to administrative changes to reduce the cost of the examination, which takes a few months to complete. There will also be an evaluation and accreditation of universities and schools that are involved.' He said the high standard of the qualification would not be affected.