Politicians want that more young people are studying

Two million students today, 2.7 million in seven years... The German population is decreasing. Not the number of students. The fault lies to the reform of the secondary and the next arrival of a mini-génération of baby boomers (born in the euphoria of the fall of the wall) on the banks of the faculties.

Almost all of the West German Länder had indeed opted in recent years for the reduction of the duration of the first cycle of thirteen to twelve years, as is the case in most European countries. That is to say that two classes of age will pass the tray at the same time for 2014. Two age classes also at the same time accessing the universities, the Royal Road to employment German in the absence of a system of elitist training with competition, French. The forecasts are 445.000 new registrations at the University in 2011, instead of 380.000 today.

A chance for companies The rate of graduates from higher education is particularly low in Germany: only 75 of young holders of IBC embark on the adventure of the superior. Others opt for learning, still seen in many families as a safe value. In the end, less than 20 of a class of age possess a university degree.

Shortage of qualified personnel

Thereby, companies are facing a chronic shortage of skilled despite a high rate of unemployment. Rather than to appeal to European or Chinese brain drain, the employers federations want increase the proportion of young graduates, 35 per cent of an age class. Provided that the Länder relevant training the challenge, while the universities are already engorged, that the public coffers are empty and that the additional cost associated with the influx of new students gives Vertigo: additional in 2007 EUR 400 million; 2.2 to 2.4 billion per year from 2012.

"Politicians want that more young people are studying." It is true that our country is in need of more graduates. They are our future capital, insists Margret Wintermantel, the President of the Conference of University principals, a pressure group to defend the interests of higher education to policy. "But we cannot resort to the capital that if universities have of more flexibility and are better equipped." "It is under these conditions that we can allow more students", she continues. "20 of students more is not necessarily to say 20 of additional costs, relativizes Kark-Max Einhäupl, an expert in the sector. What is certain, is that the additional costs remain lower than growth supplement resulting from this new wheel of skilled labour.

An analysis that Baden-Württemberg. This Land from the southwest of the Germany is a model for the management of its student population. The Stuttgart region, particularly dynamic economic, houses a powerful industry (Mercedes-Benz, Bosch...). Young graduates needs are considerable. Both and so that the regional government has decided to work towards increasing scientific investment of 30 in the years to come. Half of the investment required will be provided by the Land, the rest by companies. Universities in the region will thus welcome students 35,000 more by 2012. The cost is estimated 200 to 300 million additional euros per year.

Decreases in Berlin and Bremen

Contrast, the Land of Berlin, whose debt per capita is highest in the country, and that of Bremen also very indebted opt for stagnation or even a reduction of their expenses for the superior. At Bremen, State intends to reduce EUR 100 million the budget of the universities here in 2010. In Berlin, were put on the entry into force of the European reform (introduction of new diplomas master and bachelor for the achievements of students). Reduction of the number of students per Professor (at present, 60 students per teacher in the country) that will accompany reform will lead to a decrease in the number of students at 8. The German capital will thus be medium term under the bar of the 85,000 students.

The majority of the German Länder has so far not started to address the problem.