The Situation In The New Federal States : Germany

The reform of higher education in eastern Germany, partly within the framework of a program costing DM 2.4 billion, has improved the academic range and regional distribution of institutions. There are now 17 universities, 14 colleges of art and music, and 26 Fachhochschulen in the new federal states. The latter type of institution was only recently introduced in eastern Germany, yet it has enjoyed great acceptance: 70,000 students were enrolled at Fachhochschulen (including the seven colleges of administration) for the 1996/97 winter semester.

The total number of students in the new states in 1996 was 301,000 (including the whole of Berlin). Some of the research previously carried out at academies is once again being conducted at higher education institutions, and some is being transferred to non-university research establishments financed jointly by the federal and the state governments. Many instructors from western Germany have come to higher education institutions in the new states, joining law and economics departments in particular.