HRK welcomes EU considerations to strengthen competitiveness, but criticises possible abandonment of the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
The future of European research funding was on the agenda of the General Assembly of the HRK, having already been the subject of intensive discussions at the HRK’s recent EU Strategy Day in Brussels....
HRK: Preserving academic freedom and university autonomy in the fight against anti-Semitism
At its meeting, the General Assembly of the HRK reaffirmed the universities’ commitment against all forms of anti-Semitism. The Assembly also welcomed the fact that the German Bundestag is committed...
HRK President on the end of the governing coalition in the federal government
In a recent reaction, Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, HRK-President commented as follows on the break-up of the ’traffic light’ coalition between the SPD, the FDP, and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen: “The end of the...
HRK President on the recent BAföG decision by the Federal Constitutional Court: “Legislators must actively utilise their social policy scope”
HRK President Walter Rosenthal welcomes the clarity of the Federal Constitutional Court’s recent decision on the German Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz; BAföG). In...
German Association for East European Studies declared an “extremist organisation” in Russia – HRK: “New low point in academic relations”
The President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, has criticised the Russian Ministry of Justice’s decision to classify the German Association for East European Studies...
“Brutal attack on academic freedom“: HRK President condemns storming of Präsidium building of Freie Universität
Statement by HRK President Walter Rosenthal on the attack by masked anti-Israel activists on employees in the Präsidium Building of Freie Universität Berlin: “Several university employees were injured...
First networking meeting of university officers against anti-Semitism
The Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life and the Fight against Antisemitism, Dr Felix Klein, and HRK President Walter Rosenthal have jointly invited the university officers against...
HRK ADVANCE: Thinking strategically about international university cooperation – organising cooperation in a legally secure and sustainable way
Strategies and ways to shape the further internationalisation of German universities in a changing world in a legally secure and sustainable manner were the focus of the virtual HRK ADVANCE autumn...
After state elections: university locations must remain attractive
Joint declaration by the Executive Board of the Saxony State Rectors' Conference, the Thuringia State Rectors' Conference and the German Rectors' Conference: The federal states of Thuringia and Saxony...
Sustainability at Universities audit: HRK launches pilot phase with four universities
Sustainable development is increasingly taking centre stage in the strategic orientation of universities. They are setting up sustainability competence centres, appointing sustainability officers and...
15 years of the HRK Audit "Internationalisation of Universities": Four more universities selected for strategic advisory service
For 15 years, the Audit "Internationalisation of Universities" offered by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) has been supporting German universities in developing and enhancing their specific...
Anja Steinbeck re-elected as spokesperson of the HRK Universities Member Group
Anja Steinbeck, Rector of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, will remain spokesperson of the Universities Member Group in the HRK and in this capacity also Vice-President of the HRK. A legal...
HRK on future EU research funding: keep the European Research Council and the 10th Framework Programme on an open and excellent footing
On 23 May 2024, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) published a discussion paper on the preparation of the 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation of the European Union...
EU reform of research assessment: HRK will participate as a guest in the German National Chapter of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment
The HRK will join the National Chapter of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) as a guest, thus increasing its engagement with the efforts to reform research assessment at European...
HRK: Call for a comprehensive approach to the study and career paths of international students in Germany
German universities would like to further improve the foundations and framework conditions for successful study and career paths for their international students. In a resolution passed by the General...
Securing skilled labour: universities call for greater cooperation between education sectors
To better meet the growing demand for skilled labour in Germany, the universities that are members of the HRK are calling for widening the cooperation between school, vocational and higher education....
Towards greater gender equality in the appointment of professors – HRK invites universities to make a voluntary commitment
The HRK are committed to further reducing structural gender inequality and achieving appropriate gender representation in professorships at universities. In a resolution, the HRK's General Assembly...
Power and responsibility: HRK adopts recommendation on measures against abuse of power
Cases of abuse of power at universities, especially against students and junior researchers, in recent years make it clear that a continuous review and, if necessary, an expansion of existing...
HRK: Protecting universities as a free space for discourse
At its meeting the General Assembly of the HRK discussed in detail the recent protests on the Middle East conflict at universities and the public reactions from politicians and the media. HRK...
"Study without borders. Choose Europe!" and "Universities choose Europe": calls for participation in the European elections – HRK touchstones on higher education and research policy published
Under the motto "Study without borders. Choose Europe!", the HRK, the Free Association of Student Organisations (fzs) and the German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) are jointly calling...
Strong impetus for the promotion of diversity at German universities: HRK and BMBF conference discusses successful diversity projects
Innovative science thrives by embracing diverse perspectives and worlds of experience. Since Monday afternoon, participants in an online conference organised by the HRK together with the Federal...
Science needs liberal democracy and the rule of law
Statement by the Executive Board of the HRK: Against the backdrop of increasingly blatant anti-democratic endeavours and the associated contempt for humanity, we emphasise clearly and unequivocally:...
BAföG draft misses the target of urgently needed structural reform
The HRK and the German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) are appealing to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to finally and resolutely tackle the urgently needed...
