Overview

• The UAS Senate voted on July 9 to suspend two resource-intensive engineering programs that featured additional practical projects and close student supervision.
• A hiring and replacement freeze in effect since February has forced ad hoc course closures and could lead to staff cuts of up to 20% if further programs are suspended.
• These reductions will shrink graduate output in engineering, computer science, social work, nursing, economics and law, exacerbating regional skill shortages next year.
• Unions GEW and Verdi alongside student groups have mobilized thousands of protesters and plan another demonstration on July 15 to oppose the austerity measures.
• The state government aims to finalize the Hochschulpakt by mid-July, securing agreement from 14 state universities despite growing criticism.