On  the one hand, double annual cohorts, insufficient funding, lack of qualified employees; and on the other hand, successes in the Excellence Initiative and the acquisition of external funding, top-quality teaching and large numbers of graduates – important boosts to the regional economy and cultural diversity: over the past few decades the growing scientific community in Bremen has become a major location factor. So that things stay that way, the Presidents of the state-run universities in Bremen and Bremerhaven have addressed an appeal to policy makers to do more to ensure adequate funding.

“The future of the young generation and therefore that of Bremen and Bremerhaven are at stake“ stressed Karin Luckey (Bremen University of Applied Sciences), Luise Greuel (Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung), Manfred Cordes (University of the Arts), Josef Stockemer (Hochschule Bremerhaven) and Wilfried Müller (University of Bremen) at a specially convened press conference. The President of the University of Bremen and the Presidents of the universities of applied sciences in Bremen und Bremerhaven called jointly upon the politicians to formulate clear funding commitments for coming years so that they are better able to make concrete plans for the future. “In times of dramatically rising student numbers in the wake of double annual cohorts and the discontinuation of military and community service, the universities of applied sciences and the University of Bremen are facing up to their responsibility to accept as many students as possible and provide a sound academic qualification.“

However, the universities’ budgets are under intense pressure. Public financing of the universities in Bremen is 20% below the national average. The university presidents are well aware that politicians of all political colors appreciate the significance of the local scientific community and that they are doing their best to ensure the necessary funding. Notwithstanding, they went on to emphasize: “We simply have to be sure of reliable parameters if we are to maintain the recognized high quality of teaching and research, as well as existing student numbers – not to mention the additionally needed places. We can only be successful in acquiring financing from joint federal and state programs like the Hochschulpakt [University pact] or the Pakt für Innovationen [Pakt for Innovation] when the public core funding is ensured for the medium and long term. In view of the freeze on creating new public debt, we are not merely looking for signals on the part of the local government, but binding action.“