Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena One Step Closer to Becoming Eastern Germany's Top University
Eastern German institution, Jena, could potentially gain recognition as a University of Excellence. - East German University Could Potentially Attain Esteemed Status of Excellence, With Jena being the potential candidate.
After a recent decision by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena stands a chance to become the next top university in Eastern Germany. The DFG announced the decision as part of the "Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government and the Länder" which was made public in Bonn.
The university has been awarded funding for two interdisciplinary research projects, also known as Clusters of Excellence. These projects are supported financially for a period of seven years. Universities with two or more such projects can apply for the status of a top university in the subsequent stage, with a total of 15 universities across the nation eligible to do so.
Thuringia's Minister President, Mario Voigt of the CDU, hailed the selection of two Jena clusters as a significant sign for innovation, research, and the future. He regarded this as a major success for Thuringia's scientific and innovation hub.
The university has received funding for the Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse", which focuses on researching microorganisms, for the second time. Meanwhile, the Cluster of Excellence "Imaginamics", which researches conflict and debate culture in contemporary societal coexistence, receives funding for the first time. The funding, amounting to €539 million annually for 70 clusters nationwide, is jointly provided by the federal government and the Länder.
Christian Tischner, the Minister of Education in Thuringia, commented, "Thuringia is doubly excellent - this is a watershed moment for our Thuringian science location." He expressed optimism that the two clusters would contribute to the growth of Thuringia, not merely in rankings but in societal relevance and scientific excellence. Tischner assured the Friedrich-Schiller University of continued state support, emphasizing that their bid to become a German top university is the next significant step.
Andreas Marx, the university president, expressed his satisfaction with the success, stating it demonstrated the national and international competitiveness of the university. He noted that this multi-million funding would further boost Thuringia's appeal as an international hub for top-tier research. In autumn 2025, the university can apply for the title of top university. Marx and his team are currently preparing for this challenge with confidence.
The German Research Foundation will decide on the funding of new top universities from 2027. At present, only the Technical University of Dresden and a Berlin university consortium hold this status in Eastern Germany.
- To enhance its academic and research prowess, the Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena plans to invest in community aid, education-and-self-development through vocational training programs, particularly in online-education and learning, with the aim of becoming a top university in Eastern Germany.
- As the Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena prepares for its application to become a top university in 2025, it is also exploring avenues for vocational training programs, recognizing their importance in providing society-relevant skills and contributing to the university's growth.
