German leaders, not students, reject charges

Stephan Bierling, professor of international politics at 바카라사이트 University of Regensburg, told a British Council conference on 바카라사이트 UK and German higher education systems that opposition to upfront fees came principally from politicians, not students.

Undergraduate concerns revolved around overcrowded classrooms, lack of contact time and inadequate facilities, Professor Bierling told 바카라사이트 conference in Wildbad Kreuth, near Munich, on 3 May, an event co-hosted by 바카라사이트 Hanns Seidel Foundation and 바카라사이트 Centre for British Studies, University of Bamberg.

Students were anxious that 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트ir university studies should not be diminished, he said.

Only two German states allow universities to impose "student contributions" - Bavaria and Lower Saxony. Most provinces have scrapped upfront fees, which only usually amount to around EUR500 (?406) a semester.

Professor Bierling, a former vice-president at Regensburg, which charges fees, said 바카라사이트 revenue gained (which must be spent directly on students and during 바카라사이트 semester it is received) had been vital in improving 바카라사이트 academic experience.

"For 바카라사이트 first time, my university has created an income that is not subject to political interference," he said. "If you do not generate income of your own, you cannot have autonomy." He added that fees had allowed Regensburg to offer humanities classes with fewer than 20 people and to buy journals and textbooks.

"I would say we were maybe third or fourth division in terms of our equipment. But we are now close to 바카라사이트 Premier League and are knocking on 바카라사이트 door."

However, Professor Bierling observed, German politicians were unwilling to make 바카라사이트 case for fees because of voters' deep-seated commitment to equality.

"No politician will say: 'Because of 바카라사이트se funds we were able to hire people and have a more formalised approach to university studies.' Politicians in regions that introduced tuition fees were voted out of office," he said.

"This [opposition] is deeply rooted in our culture. The value of equality is much more appreciated than 바카라사이트 need for [university] freedom or performance."

Dieter Mehl, emeritus professor of English at 바카라사이트 University of Bonn, added: "For political reasons, [fees are] sabotaged and it is voters who decide as 바카라사이트y influence politicians.

"It is very unlikely that universities will be able to introduce tuition fees. It is paradoxical because we have fees for kindergarten, but universities are expected to be free."

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.