Cooperation over Competition: The Success of Germany’s Higher Education Pact

The Higher Education Pact in Germany, which ran from 2007 to 2020, was widely praised for its positive impact on the German higher education system. This comprehensive funding program was the most extensive of its kind and helped to address the challenges faced by the system due to numerous reforms.

One of the key strengths of the pact was its emphasis on cooperation over competition. This shift in approach was seen as a positive move that strengthened the higher education system’s ability to adapt and change. By working together, institutions were able to share resources and knowledge, ultimately leading to more effective outcomes.

Wolfgang Wick, chair of the Wissenschaftsrat, highlighted the importance of the pact in stabilizing the higher education system and increasing student numbers. Overall, the Higher Education Pact in Germany was viewed as a successful initiative that had a positive impact on the country’s higher education landscape.