Lower Saxony Aiming High with Up to Four Elite Universities in the Running
Universities at the forefront in Lower Saxony compete for top positions - Multiple elite units vying for a position in Lower Saxony's selection process
Lower Saxony is keeping its fingers crossed for up to four top-tier universities in the running for the Excellence Initiative for Science. In the forthcoming decision for the so-called Excellence Clusters on May 22, TU Braunschweig, Leibniz University Hannover, Medical School Hannover, and University of Oldenburg are making a strong case, with at least two high-research projects lodged, as explained by Science Minister Falko Mohrs. Securing two Excellence Clusters is the requisite to apply as an Excellence University in the following stage. At present, there's no elite university in the region.
In the latest round of clusters, Lower Saxony presents with nine potential projects. These include six established and three fresh Excellence Clusters, with a decision on funding forthcoming after an upcoming assessment.
Nationwide, up to 70 clusters will be funded in comparison to the previous 57, Mohrs stated. The SPD politician added that both federal and state governments had agreed on this. A total of 98 applications were submitted in the last round.
Top-Notch Research in Lower Saxony
Since February 2023, over one billion euros have been poured into science through the "Zukunft.Niedersachsen" program, as stated by the ministry. This program is primarily financed from the dividends of VW shares owned by the state, which channel to the Volkswagen Foundation. In 2023, an additional special dividend of around 576 million euros was generated by the Porsche IPO.
Mohrs cited examples like heart patches grown from stem cells, more efficient solar cells, and AI-controlled robots for improved harvesting as shining examples of pioneering research in Lower Saxony.
"We're on the premier league of science, and our aim is to expand our international visibility," said Georg Schütte, CEO of the Volkswagen Foundation.
Goal: At Least One Elite University
In a swift move after taking office at the end of 2022, Mohrs declared, "We're determined to have at least one Excellence University in Lower Saxony." At the time, the minister added, "We believe our strong universities have the potential to achieve this in the next application round in 2026."
Ongoing Efforts in Enhancing Research and Education
Programs like the Matching Funds Programme at Technische Universität Braunschweig and the Lower Saxony State Scholarship are part of ongoing efforts in the region to improve research and education in the region[1][4]. For updates on the Excellence Initiative, it's advisable to consult with relevant authorities or institutions in Lower Saxony, such as the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture (MWK), which oversees projects and funding initiatives to foster international cooperation in science and research[1].
In general, the Excellence Initiative is a national program aimed at elevating top-tier research in Germany by providing funds to institutions excelling in specific fields. However, up-to-date information particular to Lower Saxony might necessitate direct consultation with local academic institutions or government departments.If you're interested in elite universities in Lower Saxony, notable institutions include Technische Universität Braunschweig, Leibniz University Hannover, and others, which are involved in various research initiatives and collaborations[1][2].
- Lower Saxony
- Falko Mohr
- Hannover
- TU Braunschweig
- Medical School Hannover
[1] Source: Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture (MWK)[2] Source: Wikipedia[3] Source: Der Spiegel[4] Source: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Community aid could be provided to vocational training programs in Lower Saxony to help students seeking education and self-development in the fields related to the promising scientific research being conducted in the region's universities. In line with the goal of securing at least one elite university, vocational training in science, technology, and research could be a vital component of the Excellence Universities' education offerings.
