CDU demands clear promise for the independence of the University of Vechta!

CDU demands clear promise for the independence of the University of Vechta!

Vechta, Deutschland - In a passionate call, the Oldenburg CDU state association, which counts to the 9000 members, has called for a clear commitment from the red-green state government to preserve the University of Vechta as an independent university. This urgent concern is no coincidence: the party convention decision was necessary because the unclear attitude of the Ministry of Science has caused great uncertainty in recent months. Minister of Science Falko Mohrs (SPD) emphasized that the University of Vechta should be preserved, but the confidence in his statements is increasingly.

The concerns about the university are not only manifested in the words of the CDU. The science spokeswoman for the CDU parliamentary group, Cindy Lutz, also expresses massive concerns about the leadership vacuum that has been going on for over 15 weeks. Behind this dilemma is the outstanding decision about a successor or a temporary solution after the former president voted out in January 2023. Lutz makes it clear how important the university is for teaching, social services and transformation of rural spaces.

unclear location and demands

It looks like Mohrs, who has been repeatedly criticized, did not take a step to draw a clear line and take responsibility. The state government's answers to the inquiries from the CDU parliamentary group were not only inadequate, but also reinforced the uncertainty. A document was only published a week after a public statement by the interim president who wanted to support the independence of the University of Vechta. It seems that regional actors have a legitimate interest in the state government gives an unmistakable commitment to the existing university.

The uncertainty regarding the management structure of the University of Vechta has already led to MPs asked in two small inquiries about information about the measures to stabilize the management of the university. In particular, the strategic importance of the Vechta location is also addressed, since a university could significantly endanger the reputation and future prospects of the students.

Financial support for universities

Lower Saxony From this year more funds will be provided for additional study prices by 10 percent. This corresponds to a sum of more than 50 million euros as part of the third phase of the university pact. Science Minister Gabriele Heinen-Kljajić emphasizes here that financial resources are necessary to ensure quality of study.

Although the support of the state government for universities is positive, it remains to be seen how the situation at the University of Vechta will develop, which is currently the focus of the political discussion. The coming weeks and months could be crucial to gain clarity about the future of the university and its independent role in the Lower Saxony University System.