Lower Saxony has a new university development agreement. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK), the state has guaranteed the 20 state universities that are signatories to the agreement, including Leibniz University Hannover (LUH), financial planning security until the end of 2029 and has strengthened their autonomy. The agreement replaces the 2013 agreement, which was updated twice in the interim period. It consists of five chapters, with topics ranging from ensuring the development of skilled workers to the funding of research and transfer and the improvement of university organisation and financial development.
The agreement states that the costs for future wage and salary increases will be covered for the duration of the agreement and that core funding will be stabilised – i.e. that steady compensation will be provided for wages, energy costs and material costs. It also addresses current societal changes and challenges such as demographic and technological developments and climate change. Among other things, the state will provide funding to enable energy-saving renovations for university buildings. In future, it will be easier for universities to independently develop their teaching offers and establish new degree programmes. They have also been granted increased freedoms when appointing new professors.
Additional information is available (in German) in the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK) press release.
