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Bonn, 28.01.2010 - 3/2010
"The European universities and higher education institutions are working together intensively on advancing the development of the European Higher Education and Research Area. For this, we finally need the necessary political support, including in Germany. The universities were pleased to take note of the commitment to a quality and mobility alliance to support the Bologna reforms, which the government coalition had made on the occasion of the public specialist discussions held in the German Bundestag on Wednesday. However, they are highly concerned by the fact that the finance ministers are playing down the acute financial demand that the universities have. The previous successes of the academic reforms and further necessary measures must not be endangered. The many good words must now finally be followed by deeds. Falsely juggling the figures is exactly what we do not need now.
The transition to the two-cycle academic system is largely successful in Germany. Almost 80% of the study opportunities had been transformed into the new degree programmes by the winter semester 2009/2010. Of the remaining offerings, 71% are state examination degree courses, on whose reform the universities have no influence. The undergraduate student rate in the new degree programmes had risen to 75.2% by the winter semester 2008/2009. The universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), in particular, had converted their degree programmes with great success. In the winter semester 2009/2010, around 96% of the degree programmes had been converted.
However, this falls far short of meaning that the reforms have been completed. Rather, the qualitative continuing development is running at full speed ahead. The greatest obstacle continues to lie in the inadequate teacher-student ratios. The policymakers are obliged here to indeed provide the support that they had promised. The finance ministers' attempts to underestimate the financial demand damages the prospects of many young people wishing to engage in high-quality studies.
All those involved must now concentrate on securing the quality of studies and must continue to improve and advance these. Students and employers expect the content to be strengthened, and that the good reputation of academic education and training in Germany is secured long term. This is why they rightly demand that the current discussion on formalities and degree titles is ended forthwith. Of course, it must remain open for the universities and universities of applied sciences, during the transitional phase, to point out what equivalences exist vis-à-vis the old degrees. A return to the old degree courses is not up for debate, however."
HRK President calls on policymakers: The many good words must now finally be followed by deeds [Größe 0.03 MB, Typ pdf]
HRK President calls on policymakers: The many good words must now finally be followed by deeds
During the Board Meeting of the European University Association (EUA), the President of the German Rectors' Conference (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz – HRK), Prof. Dr. Margret Wintermantel, said in Brussels today:"The European universities and higher education institutions are working together intensively on advancing the development of the European Higher Education and Research Area. For this, we finally need the necessary political support, including in Germany. The universities were pleased to take note of the commitment to a quality and mobility alliance to support the Bologna reforms, which the government coalition had made on the occasion of the public specialist discussions held in the German Bundestag on Wednesday. However, they are highly concerned by the fact that the finance ministers are playing down the acute financial demand that the universities have. The previous successes of the academic reforms and further necessary measures must not be endangered. The many good words must now finally be followed by deeds. Falsely juggling the figures is exactly what we do not need now.
The transition to the two-cycle academic system is largely successful in Germany. Almost 80% of the study opportunities had been transformed into the new degree programmes by the winter semester 2009/2010. Of the remaining offerings, 71% are state examination degree courses, on whose reform the universities have no influence. The undergraduate student rate in the new degree programmes had risen to 75.2% by the winter semester 2008/2009. The universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), in particular, had converted their degree programmes with great success. In the winter semester 2009/2010, around 96% of the degree programmes had been converted.
However, this falls far short of meaning that the reforms have been completed. Rather, the qualitative continuing development is running at full speed ahead. The greatest obstacle continues to lie in the inadequate teacher-student ratios. The policymakers are obliged here to indeed provide the support that they had promised. The finance ministers' attempts to underestimate the financial demand damages the prospects of many young people wishing to engage in high-quality studies.
All those involved must now concentrate on securing the quality of studies and must continue to improve and advance these. Students and employers expect the content to be strengthened, and that the good reputation of academic education and training in Germany is secured long term. This is why they rightly demand that the current discussion on formalities and degree titles is ended forthwith. Of course, it must remain open for the universities and universities of applied sciences, during the transitional phase, to point out what equivalences exist vis-à-vis the old degrees. A return to the old degree courses is not up for debate, however."
HRK President calls on policymakers: The many good words must now finally be followed by deeds [Größe 0.03 MB, Typ pdf]
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