Where would the State of Bremen be without its university? The University Rector Bernd Scholz-Reiter posed this provocative question during a speech held at the traditional New Year’s reception in the Bremen City Hall. Around 300 representatives of politics, business and science were invited to attend the reception organized by the “unifreunde” (friends of the University), the University of Bremen, and Jacobs University. True to tradition, the newly appointed professors were given the opportunity to present themselves to the distinguished audience.
There’s no doubt about it, the Rector said, the Sate of Bremen would be much worse off if it weren’t for the University. It has risen to become the biggest employer in Bremen and the most important economic driving factor of science in the region. Some 20,000 German and international students lend an international and intercultural flair to the city. The year 2014 proved to be another highly successful one for the University’s scholars and scientists, who once again received a large number of awards and accolades. The German Science Council also expressed its satisfaction in the way the University’s Institutional Strategy was being implemented within the context of the German Government’s Excellence Initiative for universities. “This gives us confidence that we will also have good chances in the second round”, said Scholz-Reiter, who emphasized that the University has become an important brand for Bremen. Following his speech, the Rector introduced 16 of the newly appointed professors who were present. Last year there were 24 all told. Professor Thomas Hoffmeister made his debut as the new Vice Rector for Studies and Education.
The State of Bremen will continue to do its utmost to support the universities
Speaking on behalf of the Mayor of Bremen, Jens Böhrnsen, and Bremen’s Senator for Education, Eva Quante-Brandt, the Secretary of State for Education, Gerd-Rüdiger Kück, likewise underscored the importance of the two universities for Bremen’s image. He said the State of Bremen would continue to do all it can for the two universities with the means at its disposal. With regard to university education, the year 2014 saw some favorable developments at the federal level. The Federal Government said it would assume the costs of student grants (BAföG) previously borne by the Länder, and the barrier to cooperation in science contained in Article 91b of the German Constitution is to be relaxed. Moreover, as of 2016 the Federal Government will also take over payments within the context of the Pact for Research and Innovation. The fortunate bottom line is that Bremen’s education budget will be some 20 million euros better off as a result of these changes.
Trying times for Jacobs University
Secretary of State Gerd-Rüdiger Kück had to admit that the year 2014 had not been so rosy for Jacobs University 2014. It had to implement painful cuts in spending in order to be fit to face the future. As a consequence, in 2014 there could be no new professorial appointments. In her address the President of Jacobs University, Katja Windt, said “We have given our university a facelift”. However, this fall her university will be in a position to offer 15 new Bachelor and 4 new Master programs in the areas of Mobility, Health and Diversity. “We will continue doing our part to bolster Bremen’s good reputation in the scientific community”, she said.
Ten years ago Bremen was the “City of Science”
In his address, the Chairman of the “unifreunde”, Professor Bengt Beutler, reminded those present of a very special date in the past: “It is now ten years since Bremen was accorded the accolade ‘City of Science’”. In the meantime the State of Bremen has gone from success to success in this area. “It clearly pays off to invest more in science”, he said. The future of Bremen depends on it!
