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Adequate funding of universities

Blick in einen Hörsaal der TU CHemnitz
Auditorium maximum, the largest lecture hall of the TU Chemnitz with 706 seats.  © TU Chemnitz / Dirk Hanus

As maintaining body of universities, the Free State of Saxony ensures basic funding for the 14 state universities. In 2021 and 2022 the higher education sector will benefit from around 72 percent of the budget of the State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism - which is in total more than 1.5 billion euros per year. The Free State of Saxony also provides funds to support research projects at universities, e.g.B. in the framework of the excellence strategy or in the preliminary stage to demanding, science-driven competition procedures.

The grant agreement for the 2017 to 2024 period guarantees stable staffing with 9,034 full-time positions, and ensures long-term financing which is unique in Germany. In total, grants to universities according to this agreement amount to around 731 million euros in 2021 and around 754 million euros in 2022. This is 24 million euros (2021) and 47 million euros (2022) more than in 2020. The doubling of capacities in teacher training in recent years will continue to be financed. In addition, universities will be granted 114 million euros each year from the federal university pact funds and the decommitted BAföG (German Federal Training Assistance Act) funds. Saxony uses the decommitted BAföG funds consistently and fully for improving equipment and facilities of the universities. These funds are used for important investments in large devices and original equipment, modernisation of the digital infrastructure, financial improvement of employment as well as for inclusive measures. Also the staffing of the universities of applied sciences is financed with 3.5 million euros. To ensure teacher training at the TU Chemnitz, 29 positions will be extended for an indefinite period. Seven temporary positions for the Faculty of Law in Leipzig will also become permanent to ensure further development of legal training.

The university medical centre in Saxony has a high academic level and a corresponding high priority in the budget. Around 252 million euros in 2021 and 256 million euros in 2022 are earmarked for the current needs of the medical faculties and university hospitals in Leipzig and Dresden. This an increase of over 16 percent in 2021 and over 18 percent in 2022 compared to 2020. The current investment needs of the two university hospitals – in addition to huge construction investments - are covered with 22 million euros per year each, the needs of the two medical faculties with 8 million euros per year each. This investment volume also includes funds of 60 million euros from the Corona Management Fund to finance pandemic-related special needs.

The Studentenwerke are solidary institutions for students and as such indispensable. Since 2015 grants have been increased from 5.6 million euros to 11 million euros both in 2019 and 2020.

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