Reform of higher education law is not a new topic. Many of our common sense about German university regulations basically come from the German Higher Education Law. For example, if the matching degree differs by 30 ECTS, you will not be admitted, etc. The reform of German higher

Higher education law reform is not a new topic. Many of our common sense about German university regulations basically come from the German Higher Education Law. For example, if the matching degree differs by 30 ECTS, you will not be admitted, etc.

The reform of the German higher education law has always been the focus of attention of major German universities. We have previously introduced to you the entrepreneurship semester mentioned in the reform of the Saxony-Anhalt Higher Education Act. For details, please refer to our previous articles.

Portal: Saxony-Anhalt's Higher Education Law Reform Added Entrepreneurship Semester

Now Bayern's higher education law reform is also proceeding in an orderly manner, but it has aroused a lot of controversy and attention. On the one hand, Bayern itself is the most developed area of ​​German higher education, sitting on Germany's top Technical University of Munich and Munich University , and at the same time there are a number of top German universities located in it, the changes in its higher education law are naturally A focus for all relevant groups.

Bavarian Higher education reform

This reform aims to be "a unique institutional change in Germany", Science Minister Bernd Sibler said: "A modern university structure is needed in order to be able to better develop the potential of all Bavarian universities and their contribution to society role."

The University Innovation Act is a prerequisite for Bavaria's universities and countries to be able to lead internationally. This reform is intended to summarize the previous "Higher Education Law" and "Higher Education Personnel Law", and set a benchmark for a new start. The higher education law of North Rhine-Westphalia is a good example. Professor Dietmar Süss at the University of Augsburg calls this a "radically frugal curriculum change" in a guest article in the Süddeutsche Zeitung . At the heart of the

planned legal framework should be more freedom and greater personal responsibility for universities. These institutions should become legal entities themselves and be able to make decisions on budgets, construction projects and work independently of the state. In the future, the state of Bayern intends to provide basic funds as a budget for the global layout. This should of course also apply to teaching funding.

With freedom comes an obligation on universities to be more results-oriented and follow specific development plans and goals. The basic guiding principle is the holy trinity of research, teaching and further education, and transfer.

Key Points

National Innovation Layout

The purpose of the reform of the new higher education law is mainly the national innovation layout, while paying more attention to research results and international research and influence.

Bavarian University spokeswoman and rector of the University of Augsburg, Professor Sabine Dühring-Manteuffel, welcomed the university's potential for "more autonomy, dynamism and differentiation".

LMU and the current management of the Technical University of Munich have shown interest in reform negotiations, but the state government has not yet approached. Only Professor Wolfgang Hermann, former rector of the Technical University of Munich, was invited to the hearing. He welcomed the intention to enhance lifelong learning and promote derivatives. He also advocated speeding up the reform process.

Controversy

Professor lost the right to speak

One of the invitees was Prof. Max-Emanuel Geis, Regional Director of the Association of German Universities. Legal advisers at the University of Erlangen warned after the discussions that the university reform could mean the end of the university council structure and thus jeopardize the voice of professors.

Related to this, Prof. Jens Kersten and Prof. Martin Schulze Wessel warn in "FAZ" that the balance of power will shift further in the direction of university administration. As a professor who actually participates in scientific research projects, he may lose his right to speak.

Key points

Outcome-oriented research layout

University reforms are part of the future offensive "Bavarian High Tech Agenda" which aims to help shape Bavaria's scientific landscape for the next 20 to 30 years and raise it to an international top level. These plans have been ongoing since 2018. The law, which was supposed to be passed by the state parliament before the summer vacation of 2021, mainly focuses on the layout of results-oriented research, with a special focus on the development and transformation of technology.

In the new university reform, it also emphasizes the arrangement of research plans, the estimation of results, etc., and the inflow of funds from enterprises also has an impact on the research fields of German universities.

Among other things, the reforms rely on universities becoming largely independent. Additionally, universities and their employees should be able to more easily invest in companies or better support spin-offs.

Controversy

Humanities and social science majors are affected

The signatories worry that the current draft will lead to the further marginalization and harm of the humanities and social sciences, especially long-term and basic research. Despite the criticism and concerns, Bloom is sticking with the plans and even wants to discuss them in Parliament until the summer recess.

The Humanities and Social Sciences Initiative blames Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume (CSU) for a lack of willingness to engage in dialogue when formulating the Higher Education Innovation Act. As humanities scholars and social scientists, they feel left out.

"In our day-to-day work we are used to solving problems through joint discussions and dialogue. For almost a year, however, the Ministry of Education has remained silent on reform plans for higher education law." Prof. Eduard Mercer in Munich on Monday express.

Bloom rejected the criticism. "My door is and has always been open for negotiations," he said in an interview Monday. They rely on extensive dialogue and listen to and accept requests. Among other things, the state House held two days of hearings.

Meusel was one of the sponsors of the petition, which focused on proposed legislation by the state government, which Blume only adopted from his predecessor, Bernd Sibler (CSU). About 9,000 people have signed the petition, which will be discussed at the state parliament's science committee on Wednesday.