Budget drafting for the year is one of the Commission's responsibilities as well.
Saxony-Anhalt Steps Away from Tuition Fees for International Students
In a surprising move, Saxony-Anhalt's Science Minister, Professor Armin Willingmann, has flatly rejected the notion of introducing tuition fees for foreign students, viewing this as a potential barrier that could hinder the growth of the science sector in the region.
Willingmann expressed concerns that imposing selective fees on foreign students would decrease the appeal of Saxony-Anhalt as a scientific hub and further exacerbate the already existing labor market shortage. Instead, he advocates for encouraging the integration of international students into the Saxonian workforce.
"By capitalizing on the opportunity to motivate those who've received part of their education here to embark on their careers in Saxony-Anhalt, we can alleviate the labor shortage and strengthen the region's overall economic prosperity," Willingmann asserted.
As of now, 51,504 students call Saxony-Anhalt home, with foreign students accounting for about 21.8% of the total. With renowned academic centers in the United States experiencing uncertainty and academic freedoms being threatened due to ideological reasons, increasing the appeal of Saxony-Anhalt to global talent is crucial.
The Minister emphasized that foreign students provide considerable benefits to the public sector through their consumption and support, as reported by the Institute of German Economy. The institute estimates a net surplus of 15.5 billion euros for the public sector, stemming from the 2022 cohort of international students studying without tuition fees in Germany.
Despite the positive outlook, Willingmann acknowledges the need for improvement when it comes to retaining students in the country. He cautions against coercive measures like retention requirements for foreign students, proposing a more incentive-driven approach instead.
"Who'd want to study in a country that masters the art of coercion post-graduation, when countries without such restrictions await?" Willingmann questioned.
Instead, he advises focusing on creating a welcoming environment that revolves around a high-performing and open-minded scientific landscape, providing compelling reasons for students to choose Saxony-Anhalt as their long-term destination.
In this context, Professor Armin Willingmann's economic and social policy is aimed at attracting international students to Saxony-Anhalt by offering free tuition, thereby promoting science, education-and-self-development, and potentially boosting the local economy, as shown by the Institute of German Economy's estimates. Meanwhile, Willingmann emphasizes the importance of politics and general-news factors, such as academic freedoms and a welcoming environment, in retaining these students in the region.
