Higher education in Germany: Problems and perspectives

The contribution focuses on the process of merging the East German system of higher education with that of West Germany in the context of German unification in 1990/91. The impact of German unification on East German higher education is described as consisting of five basic measures: (a) de-politicisation; (b) reorganisation and evaluation of extra-university research; (c) establishment of universities of applied sciences; (d) restructuring of disciplines; (e) renewal of academic staff. While arguing that higher education reforms in West Germany were necessary as well but could not be carried out parallel to higher education renewal and restructuring in East Germany, the author describes and analyses how the reform process in East Germany became a challenge and stimulus for reform and change of the West German system of higher education. Its impacts which could be turned into sustainable structural advantages are identified in three areas: (a) quality of teaching; (b) regional development and transfer of knowledge; (c) innovative approaches to research and new degree programmes. The contribution concludes by pointing out that the issue of merging two quite different systems of higher education into one, i.e. a transformation in its own kind, should be discussed as a strategic issue in which the right balance of cooperation and competition can lead to competitive advantages on a global scale.