University financing agreement III signed

Rector Prof Dr Katja Rade and Chancellor Dr Doreen Kirmse were present on behalf of HFT Stuttgart.

The new HoFV III follows on from the Higher Education Funding Agreements I (2015 to 2020) and II (2021 to 2025) and guarantees the universities financial planning security for the next five years. With this reliable funding - even in the current difficult times - the state is demonstrating how important universities are for the current and future transformation of the economy and society in Baden-Württemberg.

Training the skilled workers of tomorrow and future-oriented further development
The HAW are of particular importance here. As drivers of innovation in the regions and as a strong partner to SMEs, they are shaping the transformation together with companies through their applied research and transfer. At the same time, they provide customised training for the skilled workers that the economy needs.

Stephan Trahasch, Chairman of the HAW Rectors' Conference, explains: "The HoFV III gives us the necessary planning security to continue the successful development of the HAW and to continue shaping the transformation of the economy, society and science. With the funds from HoFV III, we can continue to develop our range of degree programmes in a future-oriented manner and prepare the specialists of tomorrow specifically for the requirements of a rapidly changing world of work. As regional drivers of innovation, the HAW characterise a dynamic innovation environment from which companies, society and the universities themselves benefit in equal measure."

For HAW, the Higher Education Funding Agreement III:

• The transfer of funds from the HoFVII as of 2025, with all guaranteed shares,
• Full funding of existing staff and flexibility in staff planning,
• reliable and dynamised annual basic funding over and above the pure increases in personnel funding,
• new instruments and resources for the transformation of universities.

This means that the core demands of the universities have largely been met.

Not all of the universities' wishes and demands have yet been realised. The necessary increase in state funding for the promotion of applied research at UAS has not yet been realised. The funding budget has remained unchanged since 2012 - an adjustment was not possible for financial reasons. In view of rising project costs and the central role of HAWs for the innovative strength of SMEs, this represents an obstacle to the further development of applied research. It is therefore all the more important that the budget is increased as soon as the financial leeway allows. The request to abolish tuition fees for international students, which the HAW had advocated together with the other types of higher education institutions and representatives from industry, could not be met due to a lack of financial leeway in this double budget, even though this is an important measure for securing skilled labour and strengthening the international attractiveness of Baden-Württemberg as a place to study.

The HAW would like to expressly thank the Ministry of Science for its efforts in the negotiations with the Ministry of Finance and the opportunities that have now been given to the universities for further development. The agreement that has now been reached manages the balancing act between Baden-Württemberg's claim to be a top location for science and the requirements of budget consolidation. This should be clearly emphasised, especially in comparison with other federal states.

The unity of all types of higher education institutions and the constructive dialogue with many members of parliament during the almost year-long negotiations certainly contributed to this good result.

Source: Press release Universities of Applied Sciences e.V., Stuttgart