Red alert! Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia demand protection from cuts!

Red alert! Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia demand protection from cuts!

In North Rhine-Westphalia, ten universities are preparing for massive cuts in university funding, which are due to come into force in 2026. The two university senates have urgently warned of the consequences of the planned savings in a joint resolution. Loud University of Duisburg-Essen Around 150 million euros could be cut annually, which would endanger the institutions' performance in research, teaching and transfer.

The affected universities, including RWTH Aachen, Bielefeld University and Ruhr University Bochum, were concerned about the already difficult supervision conditions in North Rhine-Westphalia. These are among the worst in a national comparison. A further reduction could not only worsen study conditions, but also reduce research performance and result in a loss of skilled workers. The universities play a crucial role in the qualification of specialist staff for business, schools and social services and contribute to regional innovative strength and international visibility.

Consequences of the cuts

The fears expressed by the Senate are not unfounded. The planned cuts could lead to an increase in dropout rates and make it more difficult to start new businesses because there is less funding available from academic institutions. In addition, competition for third-party funding could decrease, which would result in a further decline in financial resources. Universities are not only committed to scientific progress, but are also responsible for solving social problems, such as n-tv emphasized.

That too WDR emphasizes that the cuts in university funding are due to the strained budget situation in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The state government is planning these measures as part of an austerity plan to respond to the ongoing recession in Germany. At the same time, the institutes are reporting a decline in the number of students, which is making the situation even worse. In view of these challenges, universities should contribute to budget consolidation, while rent and energy costs remain high.

Protests and resistance

The universities and their representatives are resisting the cuts plans. Protests by students and staff have already been organized at various institutions. Student representatives are particularly concerned about the negative impact that the savings could have on the range of courses and the quality of training. It is estimated that up to 7-8% of positions in universities could be eliminated, which would lead to a reduction in lectures and seminars. The University of Cologne expects a loss of 10 million euros next year, while the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences plans to cut up to 15 professorships.

The Senate's joint resolution is an urgent appeal to the state government to reconsider the financial cuts and ensure reliable basic funding. This is the only way North Rhine-Westphalia's universities can meet the challenges of the future and continue to act as a basis for innovation and social progress.