The target agreement [de] addresses important aspects of the University’s Strategy 2035. The University commits to provide studies and teaching that are largely free of charge and plans to introduce new degree courses, especially in the field of teacher training, and interdisciplinary bachelor’s degrees. Small subject departments shall retain a minimum level of resources. The goal is to at least stabilise the number of study entrants and increase the number of graduates. Digital and flexible study formats as well as measures to increase the quality of study offers will be extended. One of the key areas of focus lies in the training of teachers. The State has committed to fund additional professorships, including in the fields of media education and primary education, as well as permanent positions for members of academic staff. The specific measures for implementing the reform are defined in a separate partial target agreement closed with the Ministry of Science.
Research and knowledge transfer: establishing a profile and focusing research
In research and knowledge transfer, the University will enhance its profile in line with the Research Strategy. These measures will focus around the domains Baltic Sea region, One Health, and Prevention. The State also plans to support the Interdisciplinary Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research and the expansion of peatland research. Efforts will be made to further strengthen open access, research data management and the transfer of knowledge. University Medicine will concentrate on Community Medicine and population-based health research. A medical research package from the State will provide financing for new professorships, large-scale equipment and excellence research. Furthermore, measures are planned to make medical training more appealing and to attract doctors to rural regions.
The agreement names digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, gender equality, diversity, inclusion and internationalisation as cross-sectional topics. The planned “Greifswald AI and Data Center for Research and Health” is intended to bundle expertise.
Financial perspectives and risks
Financially, the State agrees to increase the amount of funding to cover, in particular, the increases in staff costs pursuant to the collective agreements. There will be no compensation of inflation. Funds from the “Zukunkftsvertrag ‘Studium und Lehre stärken’” will continue to flow coupled with the obligation to permanently employ the staff financed by these funds.
At the same time, the agreement is subject to the provision of funds. The funding depends on the State budget that is yet to be passed. The University of Greifswald must play its part in future consolidations, including across-the-board savings and possible budget freezes.
“The target agreement provides the University of Greifswald with a reliable strategic direction. It strengthens high-quality studies that are not subject to tuition fees and places a clear focus on teacher training. The agreement thus lays an important foundation for securing education and the future of qualified professionals in our federal state,” said Rector Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel.
Further information
Text of the target agreement between the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the University of Greifswald from 2026 to 2030
Strategy 2035
Research Strategy of the University of Greifswald
Contact at the University of Greifswald
University Communications
Domstraße 11, Entrance 2, 17489 Greifswald
Tel: +49 3834 420 1150
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