Federal Government consequently strengthens education and research

Compared to the previous year, the 2012 budget of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has increased by about 11 per cent to a total of 12.9 billion euros.

"Strengthening education and research is an integral element in our actions as a government. By doing so, we safeguard sustained growth and improve Germany's position in the global competition for innovation", said Federal Minister of Education and Research Annette Schavan. In this regard, the BMBF budget is characterised by the three major initiatives "Higher Education Pact 2020", the "Initiative for Excellence" and the "Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation".

With the new Acknowledgement Bill, the federal government aims to combat the skilled labour shortage. "Moreover, the new legal claim to validation of equivalence of professional qualification gained abroad constitutes a strong impulse towards the improved integration of our foreign fellow citizens", said Schavan. The vocational education system is further modernised and strengthened by the successful educational chain project - from the analysis of potential, over professional orientation to educational mentors accompanying the vocational training period in a facilitating capacity. The 2012 budget allocates 185 million Euro to project funding in the field of vocational education. "The young generation's future prospects are as positive as rarely ever before", said the minister.