The President and the Head of Administration of Furtwangen University at the signing of the new university funding agreement: Dr. Alexandra Bormann (right) and Andrea Linke welcome the strengthening of universities through the new regulation. Photo: MWK BW / Jan Potente
Signing of the Higher Education Funding Agreement III - Strengthening science
On 1 April 2025, Dr. Alexandra Bormann, President of Furtwangen University, signed the Higher Education Funding Agreement III (HoFV III) in Stuttgart together with her colleagues, the university and university management of Baden-Württemberg. In the presence of Science Minister Olschowski, Finance Minister Bayaz and Minister President Kretschmann, the agreement was ceremoniously launched in the New Palace, guaranteeing the universities financial planning security for the next five years.
Academic freedom and the autonomy of the universities in particular, will be strengthened by the agreement, explains President Bormann. “Baden-Württemberg has clearly recognised the importance of its universities for the innovative strength of the state and has granted us confidence, planning security and additional funds to promote our renewal, especially in turbulent times,” said Bormann. President Bormann is therefore very satisfied with the new university funding agreement. “Particularly when we look around the federal government and in neighboring countries, we can say thank you without reservation. We at Furtwangen University will take advantage of these opportunities.”
HFU Head of Administration Andrea Linke also sees the new agreement in a positive light. As Chair of the Conference of Heads of Administration in Universities of Applied Sciences (HAW) in Baden-Württemberg, she was involved in the HOFV III talks. “I am pleased that we can now rely on the financially secure framework that makes it possible for us to further develop Furtwangen University,” says Linke. HFU is currently undergoing a transformation process which, in addition to new structures, aims to provide an even more flexible and sustainable range of courses and a clear location profile.
