Planned cuts to funding programmes for international higher education cooperation undermine Germany’s interests
The Alliance of Science Organisations strongly criticises the announcement by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to gradually phase out all higher education cooperation programmes within development cooperation – with the exception of one alumni programme – by 2031.
Through the BMZ’s programmes for individual and institutional capacity-building in research, teaching and higher education management, German universities have, over more than three decades, successfully strengthened local higher education and research systems in partnership with institutions in countries of the Global South, thereby deepening cooperation with Germany. The BMZ’s support for higher education and research – implemented to date primarily in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as well as the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) – has helped generations of young people in the Global South to develop prospects in academia, business and politics. The future of many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America – and their relationship with Germany and Europe – depends to a large extent on their educational provision and their capacity for innovation.
“Anyone who scales back academic cooperation – both institutional and individual – is limiting the international potential for prosperity and the ability to find globally networked solutions to the challenges of our time. Sustainably established higher education cooperation with developing and emerging economies serves Germany’s interests in science, business and foreign policy: it opens up access to skilled workers, innovation hubs, research data, future markets and sustainable political and social networks. “Without the existing cooperation programmes, Germany will suffer a lasting loss of influence in regions where other states are currently making a targeted effort to expand their presence in science and higher education policy,” explains Prof. Dr Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors’ Conference and the current spokesperson for the Alliance of Science Organisations.
The Alliance of Science Organisations calls on the Federal Government and the German Bundestag to find viable solutions during the ongoing budgetary process, so that academic collaboration between German universities and partners in the Global South continues to receive the necessary support.
Media contact
Dr Christoph Hilgert
Head of Communications Department and Press Spokesperson
German Rectors’ Conference (HRK)
Leipziger Platz 11
10117 Berlin
Germany
T: +49 30 206292-224
presse@hrk.de
www.hrk.de