Baden-Württemberg Secures Future of Ecclesiastical Universities Until 2030
The future of ecclesiastical universities in Baden-Württemberg has been secured until 2030. A new funding agreement, signed by the Ministry of Science and regional churches, ensures the continuation of study programs in social work, health, and education at the Evangelical and Catholic Universities of Applied Sciences in Ludwigsburg and Freiburg.
The agreement, which runs from 2026 to 2030, covers the Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Ludwigsburg, the Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Freiburg, and the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg. It guarantees funding for these institutions, providing stability and certainty for students and staff.
The state's financial commitment will increase annually by 3.5 percent from 2027, mirroring the terms of the Higher Education Funding Agreement III (HoFV III). This increase reflects the state's commitment to supporting high-quality academic education in these crucial fields. Minister Petra Olschowski emphasized the importance of these programs, stating that they support the state's goals of fair employment, equal opportunities, diversity, and climate protection.
The agreement ensures that the universities will continue to offer their 18 study programs, which are open to students of all religions and denominations. With the regional churches confirming their support, the future of these institutions and their students is secured until 2030. Despite the lack of information about the foundation instructing the Catholic University for the academic year 2030/2031, the overall picture is one of stability and commitment to the future of these important educational institutions.
