Setting the course for the future of universities

18.07.2024

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The universities and the Ministry of Science have agreed on key decisions for the future of the universities. Science Minister Dr. Manja Schüle today presented several agreements with the two chairpersons of the Brandenburg State Conference of University Presidents (BLHP), Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, President of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), and Prof. Dr. Matthias Barth, President of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), at the State Chancellery in Potsdam:

• The new university agreements for all state universities in the state,
• the joint agreement on cross-university institutions,
• the reissue of the 'Brandenburg Quality Standards: Gender-equitable, family-friendly and life-phase-oriented studying and working in higher education' and
• the perspective paper on the further development of the Brandenburg higher education system.

Science Minister Dr. Manja Schüle: "Whether measures for more equal opportunities and family friendliness or more cooperation between universities: We are setting the course for a successful future for Brandenburg's higher education landscape with a number of agreements. And because changes also cost money, the universities will receive a total of 78 million euros for the implementation of the university agreements by 2028 - more than ever before. The process has once again impressively demonstrated this: Universities and the ministry are pulling together. This is the only way we can ensure that the universities continue their positive development even in turbulent times. The contracts and agreements are the conclusion of a multi-year process in which we asked the German Council of Science and Humanities for an analysis and recommendations on the further development of our higher education system. In particular, in times of social transformation and multiple crises, investing in strong science and vibrant art is an investment in the future. This is the only way we can increase their performance and at the same time master major challenges such as digitalization, AI and climate neutrality together. In the joint perspective paper of the universities and my ministry, we therefore also name very specific future topics and tasks as well as development potential."

Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, BLHP chairperson and BTU president: "The university agreements presented today are the result of constructive and cooperative collaboration between Brandenburg's universities and our Ministry of Science. This was the only way to successfully translate the Science Council's recommendations from January 2024 into concrete goals and agreements. We welcome the new format of the agreements, which has not only given us universities more autonomy, but also a stronger focus on our respective strategically important fields of action and central development goals. We are also committed to this for the future: Universities and the Ministry of Science are working together in partnership to develop Brandenburg as a science location into a success story. A path that will be continued with the joint perspective paper."

The Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) is the only university of technology in the state. It offers a wide range of subjects and has over 40 percent international students. The BTU is establishing itself as an organizational center for science in the structural transformation of Lusatia. The structural change projects and the establishment of ten non-university research facilities and federal institutes are creating one of the most dynamic science locations in Germany. The agreements made in the university contract support the transformation processes that have already begun. Among other things, the additional funds will help to advance strategic goals such as sharpening the profile, Location Development - in particular in Senftenberg - and increasing the visibility of BTU and its research performance. The aim is to further increase the success rate of international students and improve the integration of international graduates into the local job market.

Prof. Dr. Matthias Barth, deputy chairperson of the BLHP and President of HNEE: "The universities in the state of Brandenburg have emerged from the constructive university contract negotiations stronger and with great confidence. Based on the recommendations of the German Council of Science and Humanities, important further developments and course-setting measures for strengthening Brandenburg as a science location have been agreed with the Ministry of Science. The introduction of a Brandenburg doctoral college at the universities of applied sciences, in which independent doctoral procedures can also be carried out and doctoral degrees awarded in future, will open up attractive and transparent career paths for young scientists at UASs and make the research achievements at the UASs even more visible."

The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is a high-impact university with a consistent and holistic focus on sustainability and a national reputation. Over the next few years, this unique selling point must be consistently developed and sharpened. To this end, HNEE will continue to expand its interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research strength through research-supporting structures and the targeted promotion of young scientists. In addition, by establishing new and further developing existing programs, it will continue to sharpen its sustainability claim in the area of study and further education and thus create a distinctive portfolio in the future. With the introduction of a department-school structure, HNEE will also continue to develop structurally in order to be optimally positioned for the challenges of the coming years.

All contracts and agreements are based on a multi-year process in which the Science Council, the most important science policy advisory body in Germany, assessed Brandenburg's higher education system and made recommendations for its further development. In the university contracts, development goals are agreed with the respective university and underpinned with indicators and milestones. The contracts, which run for four and a half years from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028, contribute to the long-term planning security of the universities. At the same time, the 'Quality standards for equal opportunities and family orientation at Brandenburg universities' , which have existed since 2010 and were updated in 2017, were renewed and cross-universitycooperation in various institutions was secured. In the perspectives paper, the Ministry of Science and the universities agreed on medium to long-term perspectives for Brandenburg's higher education landscape.

With the papers presented, the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture and the universities are also setting overarching accents and priorities. These include the following points:

• Investment in a strong higher education landscape is an investment in the future viability of the state of Brandenburg. Universities and the Ministry of Science are therefore in favor of increasing the annual increase in university funding. Cooperation between universities and with non-university research institutions and business stakeholders will be expanded.
• Study place capacities will be maintained and utilized as fully as possible. In addition, work is continuing on an even higher graduate rate and an open and permeable education system.
• The universities are further expanding their research strength.
• Research and innovation are essential for the future viability of the country. For this reason, technological transfer as well as social innovation and social transfer will be further promoted.
• University construction is to be boosted.
• Internationalization at universities will be driven forward. At the same time, the success and prospects of international students are to be further improved.

• New staff categories have been introduced with the amendment to the Higher Education Act. The state is also aiming for a state-wide proportion of permanent, budget-financed teaching and research fellows of 40 percent by the end of 2028.

• The new edition of the quality standards for gender-equitable, family-friendly and life-phase-oriented studying and working at universities reaffirms the previous commitment and updates it in line with current social developments.
• For the first time, the perspective paper contains an outlook for the Medical University of Lausitz - Carl Thiem.

All contracts and agreements are available at https://mwfk.brandenburg.de/mwfk/de/wissenschaft/rechtliche-grundlagen-zentrale-dokumente/.

Contact
Stephan Breiding
Ministry of Science, Research and Culture
Press spokesperson
T +49 (0) 331 866 4566
E [email protected]

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