Reducing bureaucracy: New Chancellor of the University of Kassel calls for reforms!

Reducing bureaucracy: New Chancellor of the University of Kassel calls for reforms!

On September 19, 2025, Dr. Oliver Fromm elected new chancellor of the University of Kassel. Fromm, who was born in 1964 and previously served as deputy chancellor, expressed his anticipation of the expanded design opportunities that his new position will offer him. He appreciates the challenges that come with an increasingly bureaucratic landscape at universities.

Bureaucracy is an issue that Fromm considers to be a hindrance to science. According to his statements, the growing bureaucracy is taking up valuable capacities that are urgently needed in teaching and research. In view of the declining budgets, Fromm calls for a targeted simplification and reduction of administrative processes in order to release innovation potential.

Reducing bureaucracy as a core concern

Fromm's plans are aimed at a nationwide conference entitled “Simplify and omit: reducing bureaucracy for more freedom in science”. This conference, which will take place in Berlin on October 13th and 14th, 2025, is organized by the Association of Chancellors of German Universities, the Stifterverband and the Volkswagen Foundation. It is intended to initiate dialogue about the urgently needed relief for universities.

Fromm, together with Dr. Christina Reinhardt wrote a position paper on administrative simplification. This paper emphasizes that reducing bureaucracy is important not only for universities but for society as a whole. Reducing bureaucracy is currently a central issue for the German government, but progress is perceived as insufficient, especially with regard to the Bureaucracy Relief Act IV.

The challenges of bureaucracy

The implementation of new EU and federal requirements presents authorities with considerable challenges. Often these requirements arrive at the same time and there is a lack of resources to implement them effectively. The proposal to consolidate digitalization requirements could be a step in the right direction. In addition, a bureaucracy check should be introduced to examine proposed laws with regard to their practical applicability.

The discussion about reducing bureaucracy is broad. Suggestions such as automating applications, for example for life events, are intended to help ease the burden on administrative processes. However, a survey shows that citizens' trust in the authorities is low. Fears of change often prevent citizens from using new digital systems.

The context of innovative strength

In the background of these developments is the pressure on Germany's innovative strength, which, according to experts, has weakened. From 2014 to 2024, Germany fell from 6th to 24th place in the IMD Competitiveness Ranking. There are great concerns about economic weakness and declining innovation dynamics. The leading research institutes have already revised downwards the forecasts for the gross domestic product for 2025.

The reasons for the declining innovative power are diverse and range from bureaucracy and over-regulation to lengthy approval procedures. A lack of willingness to commercially scale research results means that good ideas are often not converted into commercial success. This has negative consequences for jobs and prosperity in the country.

Chancellor Fromm, who has been in office since July 2015 and will remain in office until 2027, is committed to innovation, digitalization and the modernization of administration in his role. His commitment could make an important contribution to making universities and the entire innovation system in Germany fit for the future.