The General Assembly of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) has once again stressed its disapproval of giving vocational qualifications similar titles to university qualifications. German universities are vehemently opposed to deliberately blurring the difference between university education and vocational training, and thus permanently weakening the profile not only of academic education, but also of vocational training.
In a resolution, the General Assembly appeals to the Prime Ministers of the Federal States to call on the Conciliation Committee to formulate uniform and autonomous qualification terms together with social partners and universities. The Bundesrat's Committee on Cultural Affairs recommended the same line of action last week.
In Berlin today, HRK President Prof Dr Peter-André Alt said: "If it is desired, we are prepared to cooperate in reaching better solutions at any time. We have also repeatedly expressed this to the Bundestag and Federal Government in the past. It is certainly possible to come up with terms that underline the high value of German vocational training and, at the same time, avoid confusion with academic qualifications. The widespread opposition, including from business, to the currently proposed titles shows that it is not about defending university-specific positions, but rather clarity and transparency in Germany and abroad."
View text of the resolution
