University Senates Warn of Budget Cuts' Impact on Research and Teaching
Eleven university senates in North Rhine-Westphalia have passed a resolution, expressing concern over planned budget cuts. The senates, comprising professors, academic staff, students, and non-academic employees, highlight the crucial role of universities in training specialists, driving regional innovation, and boosting international visibility.
The senates urge reliable basic funding to ensure universities can meet technological innovations and societal challenges. They warn that annual cuts of around 150 million euros, starting from 2026, will lead to deteriorating study conditions and decreased research performance. This, in turn, could result in a loss of skilled workers and fewer start-ups.
The senates argue that reducing university services will have serious consequences. These include increasing dropout rates, which could hinder the long-term performance of universities in research, teaching, and transfer.
The senates of 11 universities in North Rhine-Westphalia have called for reliable basic funding, warning that planned budget cuts threaten the long-term performance of universities in research, teaching, and transfer. They emphasize the central role of universities in training specialists, contributing to regional innovation, and enhancing international visibility.
