The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) welcomes the propositions of the German Council of Science and Humanities on the necessity of attracting more foreign students to study in Germany. The Council has made this point in its paper on the potentials of the German research system. The DAAD has always regarded the attraction of foreign students as of utmost importance, not only for German higher education institutions, but also for the economy in general. Nevertheless, the country’s global share of international students is shrinking progressively. The DAAD therefore demands the provision of accurate funding to boost the number of foreign students in Germany. 

The Federal Republic of Germany has honored Dr Christian Bode for his commitment to the promotion of international exchange of students and scientists. Christian Bode, who has served the DAAD as Secretary General for 20 years and retired from this position in 2010, has contributed significantly to making Germany a sustainable and internationally attractive higher education destination.

How may digital media be used to attract the best students and scientists to Germany and to optimise the international standing of German higher education institutions? This was the question discussed at the 6th GATE-Germany Marketing Congress in July 2013, which gathered 240 experts on invitation of the DAAD and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK). In addition to events dealing with the issue of online media, presentations and workshops on a variety of topics were held – ranging from global trends in higher education to regional specifics of higher education markets.

Nation-wide survey: Almost all master’s students studying in their programme of choice

New jobs and diverse actions for improved teaching at higher education institutions 

The “Qualitätspakt Lehre”, a quality pact issued by the German federal government and the Länder, can take pride in the appointment of 3 000 new staff members at 186 higher education institutions in Germany. The quality pact aims at promoting improved study conditions and quality of teaching at German academic institutions. Different measures of this pact include additional professorships, mid-level staff members and tutoring programmes, as well as increased practical relevance, e-learning and innovation in teaching. The German federal government is funding this programme with EUR 2 billion until 2020.

To tackle the lack of structures and concepts for innovative science-business cooperation in the Eastern parts of Germany, the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research has launched the programme “Zwanzig20 – Partnerschaft für Innovation”. Ten consortia from science and business were selected to facilitate exchange of know-how and find solutions to important research issues. The programme will be funded with EUR 500 million until 2019. Another nine consortia were selected to receive one-time funding of EUR 1 million each.