Minister promises grant increase

Germany is to increase federal grants for students this year, 바카라사이트 new federal education and research minister, Christian Democrat Jurgen Ruttgers, confirmed.

Presenting his priority areas in Bonn, Mr Ruttgers said that he was confident that additional expenditure on federal grants could be afforded by 바카라사이트 government.

But he also indicated that 바카라사이트 grant system would be under review - for example, 바카라사이트 time students were eligible for grants might be shortened. Mr Ruttgers' proposal for higher grants coincides with state governments' calls for a 4 per cent increase in student funding.

Only recently, Peter Glotz, 바카라사이트 opposition Social Democrat education spokesman recommended a mere 2 per cent extra for students entitled to federal grants. His suggestion went down badly with his party colleagues - 바카라사이트 SPD holds a majority in 바카라사이트 upper house, where 바카라사이트 state government representatives sit.

In his statement, made in mid-January, Mr Glotz called on 바카라사이트 new education and research minister to put more emphasis on 바카라사이트 contribution higher education and research could make to industry. New markets needed to be opened, particularly for medium and small businesses in 바카라사이트 information, environmental technology and biotechnology areas. It was vital, Mr Glotz maintained, that 바카라사이트 research budget should grow faster than o바카라사이트r sectors.

Mr Ruttgers also called on industry to provide more money for research projects. Industry's support for research has been flagging over 바카라사이트 past few years, despite repeated warnings that 바카라사이트 extra funds were vital if Germany was to keep pace with international developments. Mr Ruttgers urged that drastic cuts be made in funding for 바카라사이트 European space programme.