• New HRK-President Peter-André Alt in office as of 1 August

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  • Information on study for refugees

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  • New: leaflet "Right of residence for researchers from non-EU countries in Germany" available in English

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News

DEAL and Elsevier negotiations: Elsevier demands unacceptable for the academic community

DEAL and Elsevier negotiations: Elsevier demands unacceptable for the academic community

“The excessive demands put forward by Elsevier have left us with no choice but to suspend negotiations between the publisher and the DEAL project set up by the Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany.” That was the verdict of the lead negotiator and spokesperson for the DEAL Project Steering Committee, Prof Dr Horst Hippler, the President of the HRK, speaking in Bonn, where the last discussion took place this week. “As far as we’re concerned, the aim of the ongoing negotiations with the three biggest academic publishers is to develop a future-oriented model for the publishing and reading of scientific literature."

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HRK on admission to medicine: Solution must not cost universities their autonomy

HRK on admission to medicine: Solution must not cost universities their autonomy

“If the Federal Constitutional Court’s ruling is accommodated, but at the same time the autonomy of higher education is curtailed, this would do a great disservice to higher education.” This was the concern expressed by HRK President Horst Hippler ahead of the meeting of the University Committee of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK).

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HRK and French and Polish rectors’ conferences: “Distributed excellence” as a principle of European research and higher education policy

HRK and French and Polish rectors’ conferences: “Distributed excellence” as a principle of European research and higher education policy

“Distributed excellence” should become the fundamental principle of European research and higher education policy. Institutions with strong research capabilities should not be concentrated at just a few locations in Europe, but should be supported throughout the EU. This is the main demand of the rectors’ conferences in France, Germany and Poland (CPU, HRK and CRASP) in a recently published policy paper.

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HRK President calls for clear statements by the Bologna Ministerial Conference in Paris

HRK President calls for clear statements by the Bologna Ministerial Conference in Paris

“We need a European understanding of education that encompasses personal development and the ability to engage with society. Unfortunately, this understanding is not shared as clearly everywhere in Europe.” This was the comment made by HRK-President in the lead-up to the Bologna Conference in Paris. He accordingly called on the Ministers to explicitly consider this aspect in their final communiqué, which is to be adopted. “Europe is a great deal more than an economic community. University graduates, in particular, play an important role in shaping its future social and cultural identity."

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German, Polish and French Rectors' Conferences: seizing opportunities for European university networks

German, Polish and French Rectors' Conferences: seizing opportunities for European university networks

In an open letter, the German (HRK), French (CPU) and Polish (CRASP) Rectors' Conferences called on the EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation Policy to seize the opportunity to create European university networks. They expressed their disappointment that the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation is yet to get involved in the new initiative. "We fear that the opportunity to combine research and innovation with strong teaching is being missed," says HRK President Horst Hippler.

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University leaders from Japan and Germany: Clear guidelines needed for interaction between universities and society

University leaders from Japan and Germany: Clear guidelines needed for interaction between universities and society

“Interaction between universities and other sections of society makes a vital contribution to the economic success of nations such as Japan and Germany. However, clear rules must apply to this important collaboration.” This point was underlined by HRK-President Horst Hippler, following a two-day Japanese-German higher education conference in Tokyo. For some time now, universities in both countries have shared a common concern that economic and profit-making interests may exercise an undue influence on government appraisals and funding.

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