Suche
Mein Konto
New building at the TU Berlin: Financing secured, but many questions remain unanswered!
Prof. Dr. Geraldine Rauch talks about the new physics building at the TU Berlin and current negotiations on financing and infrastructure.
New building at the TU Berlin: Financing secured, but many questions remain unanswered!
On March 10, 2025, important negotiations took place between Prof. Dr. Geraldine Rauch, President of the Technical University of Berlin, and Science Senator Ina Czyborra. These discussions concerned, among other things, the tense financial conditions that are currently burdening universities in Berlin. Loud tu.berlin The senator made various suggestions aimed at accommodating the institutions. However, many crucial questions remain to be clarified, particularly regarding the financing of the new physics building.
In a positive twist, Ina Czyborra announced that construction of the new physics building at TU Berlin can begin soon. She explained during a meeting in the science committee that co-financing of the project was secured by the state of Berlin. However, there were no detailed explanations about the financing; Both the TU and the financial administration seem to be still working on clarifying reserves that are required for construction. The covenant will comply tagesspiegel.de 31.5 million euros out of a total of 98.5 million euros for the construction costs.
Financing and construction planning
A key problem was uncertainty regarding the use of reserves. The TU Berlin initially planned to use its own reserves to finance the construction. However, this idea was deemed inadmissible by the tax authorities. After intensive negotiations between the TU and the financial administration, a solution in the form of a future university construction company was promised. Such a company does not yet exist in Berlin, but it could open up opportunities for raising capital on the financial markets.
The TU Berlin continues to face cuts from the state that are jeopardizing its funding. According to Professor Rauch, there are still open questions about the reliability of the financial support promised by the senator for the coming years. Some questions are particularly pressing: Will there actually be no further cuts from 2026? Universities need binding and concrete statements in order to maintain planning security.
The role of the Science Council
The situation at TU Berlin is not isolated, but reflects the generally challenging conditions that universities in Germany are confronted with. The Science Council emphasizes the need for adequate infrastructural equipment for universities so that they can fulfill their tasks in research, teaching and knowledge transfer. Reliable basic funding is essential for an efficient university system.
By analyzing possible indicators for future funding allocation, the Science Council wants to support the negotiations on continuing the university pact after 2020. The interest in the structural infrastructure and its further development plays a crucial role in making universities important as innovation centers and for the common good.
The TU Berlin is facing major challenges, but urgently needs concrete and binding commitments in order to advance its plans and ensure the necessary investments in research and teaching. In view of the current developments, those responsible are hoping for a quick agreement in order to avoid a lawsuit and to be able to move forward with the construction of the new physics building as planned.