The current significant shortage of skilled workers in Germany can only be effectively combated through appropriate political measures and cooperation between the education sectors. Andrea Nahles, Chair of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), and Professor Dr Peter-André Alt, President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), were convinced of this during their talks. The lack of qualified staff confronts those responsible with the joint task of enabling as many people as possible to receive education and to develop their potential.

Promoting university science communication in rural areas is the goal of the “Heimspiel Wissenschaft” (Home Game for Research) project. This joint initiative between the HRK, the science communication agency con gressa and the #WisskommLab at the University of Heidelberg networks, advises and supports universities that want to bring science and research to life and make it accessible also beyond metropolitan area boundaries and university towns.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Elysée Treaty, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and France Universités reaffirm their commitment to Franco-German cooperation and their partnership-based advocacy of European values. The long-standing cooperation between German and French universities and the close exchange between the Rectors' Conferences has often provided important impulses in the European Higher Education and Research Area. In regular meetings, the two Rectors' Conferences exchange views on current developments and develop joint positions.

The German Philological Association (DPhV) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) are explicitly warning against lowering the qualifications of cross-sector and lateral entrants to the teaching profession in schools and thus lowering the future level of basic academic teacher education because of the acute shortage of teachers in Germany. The two associations are appealing to Berlin’s Senator for Education Astrid-Sabine Busse (SPD), who will take over the presidency of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) today, to clearly reject any considerations to the contrary.

Regarding the Taiban's decision to ban women in Afghanistan from accessing higher education, HRK President Prof. Dr. Peter-André Alt said today: „The German Rectors' Conference strongly condemns the exclusion of women from Afghan universities. With their ban on education, the Taliban are violating human rights and the fundamental freedoms of women and girls and are also hindering the development of Afghanistan as a nation that depends on the education and participation of all citizens in order to master the diverse economic, social and ecological challenges.“

HRK President Peter-André Alt commented on the press release from the Federal Statistical Office on current student numbers. "Despite unfavourable general conditions, German universities have maintained the number of first-year students, with 474 000 young people taking up studies this year. Compared to the previous year, this is just under 2000 more first-year students, an increase of 0.4 percent. This is quite an achievement given the declining demographics, the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and the general uncertainty due to the unfavourable economic situation in the wake of the Russian attack on Ukraine."