Ministry for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK)

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Description

As the senior Land authority, the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture is, among other things, responsible for the 19 universities and universities of applied sciences in Lower Saxony, for most extra-university research facilities, for libraries and for outstanding cultural facilities in Lower Saxony. The Ministry supports the classical cultural sectors and cultural programmes for a broad public – for example the three state theatres, six Land museums, the 23 science libraries and the Land agency for the preservation of monuments. However, in addition, the Ministry also attaches great significance to cultural activities 'from below' and programmes for a limited public: the sociocultural centres, for example, which very successfully and independently carry out cultural work at a local level that is accessible to a wide public, profit from this. In its promotion of culture, the Ministry is assisted by recommendations made by independent boards of experts and pays special attention to efficiency, lean structures and practical relevance. Wherever too much red tape has accumulated, decentralisation and self-determination is introduced. In concrete terms: The Ministry does of course continue to pay for adult education and provides funds for free theatres. But the Land must not necessarily make decisions centrally as to where each Euro is to be spent. In science and research policies, too, the Ministry puts the emphasis on efficiency and ability to perform, in order to make the universities and universities of applied sciences, and not least Lower Saxony as a science location, fit in an overall sense for the challenges of the 21st century. Among the main areas of emphasis for university policy is the implementation of the Lower Saxony University Act of June 2002 (Niedersächsisches Hochschulgesetz). With rigorous deregulation, the autonomy of the universities and universities of applied sciences will be further extended – the act envisages, among other things, the possibility of converting universities and universities of applied sciences into foundations. At the same time, management in the 19 Lower Saxony universities will be strengthened by bundling decision-making capabilities and responsibilities. A further emphasis in university policy is in the improvement of teaching through the creation of study courses which are market-oriented and innovative. For example, an increasing number of universities and universities of applied sciences in Lower Saxony offer Bachelor and Master degree courses, as well as dual study courses – a combination of study and practical training within a business. And with intensive study courses, the Ministry of Science is striving to achieve a reduction in the duration of study courses.

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