Strengthening universities: Minister Bär presents a plan for the future!

Strengthening universities: Minister Bär presents a plan for the future!

On May 13, 2025, the 40th general meeting of the University Rectors' Conference (HRK) took place in Magdeburg, at which Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, Dorothee Bär, emphasized its importance for the German university landscape. She emphasized that universities are the backbone of Germany's innovation location and inevitably contribute to the country's competitiveness. She made these statements in a speech given at the meeting, where she also presented information about the innovation and higher education policy agenda of the newly structured Federal Ministry. HRK President Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal praised the exchange and made it clear that universities are of central importance, regardless of their size or location.

Bär listed several measures that the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has planned to strengthen the university landscape in the long term. This includes the continuation of the future study and teaching contract as well as the continuation of the excellence strategy. Improving working conditions in science and promoting international talent were also discussed. A key point was the need for investment in university infrastructure in order to ensure the international competitiveness of German science and to achieve higher standards. Bartosch, the President of the University of Passau, was pleased about the possibility of a future meeting in Passau and extended an invitation.

Universities as a driver of innovation

The role of universities is becoming increasingly important, especially in times of change. Dorothee Bär called for a long-term high-tech agenda for Germany that extends beyond the next legislative period. In her speech, she reiterated that all universities - regardless of size or profile - are essential players in the innovation system. This reflects the recognition that a strong scientific basis is important for society and that they can make a significant contribution to solving global challenges.

The history of German universities is deeply intertwined with the development of higher education in Europe. The first German universities, including the oldest, the University of Heidelberg, were founded in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Prof. Dr. Bartosch and his colleagues in the HRK recognize the need for constant reform and adaptation in a rapidly changing education system.

The challenges of education policy

The past teaches us that the German university landscape is characterized by challenges. During National Socialism, many faculties were exploited for political purposes and the academic freedom of scientists was significantly impaired. The postwar period was a period of reconstruction focused on denazification and the restoration of education.

In recent decades, various reforms have made the German higher education system more flexible and open to new trends, such as the Bologna Declaration, which sought to create a European higher education area. Recent initiatives also focus on improving teaching quality and the internationalization of universities in order to create a broader selection of study opportunities for national and international students.

Minister Bär's demands are part of a more comprehensive approach that brings universities more into the focus of society. How bmbf.de states, this is crucial for the future of science in Germany. The minister underlines the need to strengthen trust in universities and promote their role as a driver of innovation. The exchange with representatives of these institutions will become even more important in the future in order to master the challenges together.

Overall, it can be said that German higher education is in a constant state of change. Close cooperation between politics and universities is therefore essential in order to create a sustainable basis for research and teaching in the future. The bpb.de shows that the future of universities can only be secured through innovation and flexibility.