Few other areas have Germany been the world's role model as organized as universities, nor have it lost its leadership so completely as universities, says political scientist Klaus Von Beyme.German universities were once the centers of universities around the world, and were overtaken by British and American universities due to brain drain.Over the past two decades, German universities have been working hard to narrow the gap with American universities.But in practice, German universities still have a long way to go to catch up with American universities.So far, this catch-up has not been particularly effective.The main problems are:
1. The university system does not have the characteristics of a completely modern university system
The modern university system is characterized by encouraging the competition of universities and promoting the development of misalignment of universities.At present, German universities do not have a set of practical measures to encourage competition among universities and universities to compete with each other. German universities are more of a planned university administration system.Even the traditional professorial governance and university autonomy in German universities are being eroded by various plans and objectives.In German universities, we see more rigor and precision.Keeping up with the world's top universities seems to be a "university dream" for some German higher education researchers, not a common aspiration for German universities.
2. German universities have a single investment body, and the university funding is less than one-fifth of that of similar American universities
Ninety-five per cent of German universities are state-run and are funded by state governments, with 75 per cent of their operating expenses coming from state governments.This means that German universities have very limited funding capacity, apart from government input.At the same time, German universities do not charge tuition, thus making German universities generally less expensive to operate.The Free University of Berlin, for example, ran at 450 million euros in 2012, less than Tsinghua University and less than a fifth of Stanford's.Money does not necessarily make a high-quality university, but it is impossible to build a high-quality university without it.Now, even if the coalition government launches a program of excellence, it will increase its investment in universities.But such input is also very limited.Without money, universities cannot bring in world-class talent and buy the world's most advanced equipment.
The underfunding of German universities is an old problem, mainly because of the method of calculating their allocations.The German state government uses the "core fund" method of calculation.This core funding, in real terms, has barely grown since the 1990s.Although university funding from "third parties" has doubled, "third party" funding cannot make up for the lack of core funding for the university.Some economically disadvantaged states are unable to meet their obligations.As the German Basic Law stipulates that education and cultural affairs are the responsibility of the cantons, the funding of universities falls under the jurisdiction of 16 cantons.The federal government cannot fund universities.The current joint meeting of German university presidents is calling for changes in the Basic Law to allow the federal government to extend basic funding directly and in the long run.Tongjin is also studying the problem of college student fees and the problem of companies buying graduates to solve the problem of insufficient funds for universities, but these are still on paper.
3科研Double-track scientific research system, university scientific research ability is limited.
Another factor limiting the development of German universities is the double-track system of scientific research.That is, outside the university in Germany, there is a Academy of Sciences system of major national scientific research projects, major basic projects research.These research institutes, which run much more funds than universities, are stronger than universities in scientific research, and major achievements are mainly made by them.Although German universities and German research institutes have good interaction, personnel can be hired, but ultimately affect the German university research capabilities.In recent years, Germany's leading scientific achievements, Nobel laureates from these institutes are proof.This is in stark contrast to American universities.In the United States, basic research is conducted mainly in universities, American universities concentrate the world's best talent.The German Academy of Sciences diverts scientific talent from German universities.
4. German-speaking world, difficult to communicate with the world.
The prevailing language in Germany is German, which is incompatible with the world's academic communication platform, mainly English.Germany's results are mainly published in German, which influences its communication space.German university English has not become the main medium of instruction, and it also affects the internationalization of its students and teachers.At the same time, the construction of German university website is basically German-based, and the construction of English website is lagging behind.All these have caused considerable problems for its internationalization.It is not easy to attract world-class scholars and students, and its achievements are not easily accepted by the world.
5, harsh teacher development system, resulting in brain drain
German university teachers have a single promotion channel, too slow to promote, less opportunities for promotion, which greatly affects the construction of German university teachers.At present, most of the doctoral and postdoctoral staff in Germany are reluctant to work at German universities, preferring to work at higher-paying companies or American universities.German universities, some of whom have already been appointed associate professors at W1, are not comfortable waiting for W3 opportunities in Germany.Germany lost its place as a world university center in the 1930s due to brain drain. Now, brain drain can also affect its pursuit of the world's top universities.
German universities have no advanced university system, no first-class university development environment, no conditions for introducing world-class talents, no large amount of money needed for development.Perhaps for a few years it will only be a "German university dream."