The state government’s current budget plans enable University Medicine Oldenburg to plan reliably for the future for the first time since its foundation. 125 million euros are set to be allocated to the site by 2028.
“For University Medicine Oldenburg, this decision represents one of the most significant moments since its foundation twelve years ago. The state government has kept its promise, and now, for the first time, we can plan the further development of UMO in a reliable and forward-looking manner. This is an important step for the entire north-west region and its healthcare provision.” With these words, Prof. Dr Ralph Bruder, President of the University of Oldenburg, commented on the Lower Saxony state government’s current budget plans, which Minister-President Stephan Weil presented today in Hanover and on which the state parliament will decide in December. According to these plans, University Medicine Oldenburg will receive an additional 125 million euros by 2028. This announcement secures an increase in the number of first-year students from 120 to 200 per year, starting from the 2026/27 winter semester. Also included in the total: around 31 million euros for investment in a research and teaching building. The state government estimates the total cost of this at 142 million euros, although the majority of these costs will not be incurred until after 2028.
“We would like to thank, on the one hand, the state government, which has proved to be a reliable partner, and, on the other hand, the many people and institutions in the region who have supported us from the very beginning. Just recently, almost 20,000 people signed a petition in support of our call for adequate financing. The state government is also sending an important signal to them: their concerns about healthcare provision are being taken seriously,” said Bruder.
The 125 million euros also includes compensation payments for the UMO’s partner hospitals. The state government is thus now permanently recognising the effort made by these partner hospitals in their contribution to the training of future doctors. They will receive 7.5 million euros next year, 9.9 million euros in 2026 and 10.9 million euros in each of the following years. “In doing so, the state is enabling a faster expansion of university medicine, research and teaching in Oldenburg. These funds underline the recognition of our staff’s achievements. We thank the state government for its trust and its investment in the future of University Medicine Oldenburg. We are determined to use this support efficiently and sustainably to continue delivering excellence in medicine and research,” said Rainer Schoppik, Chairman of the Board at Oldenburg University Hospital, on behalf of the partner hospitals, which, in addition to Oldenburg University Hospital, include the Evangelical Hospital Oldenburg, the Pius Hospital Oldenburg and the Karl Jaspers Clinic.
Prof. Dr Hans Gerd Nothwang, who has been the full-time Dean of School V - School of Medicine and Health Sciences since 2018, is also relieved by the announcement from Hanover. “With politicians on our side, we can tackle the challenges facing the healthcare system. Increasing the number of places on our degree programmes is an active contribution towards countering the impending shortage of skilled staff by producing additional, excellently trained doctors,” he emphasised.
Background:
Since 2012, the University of Oldenburg and its four partner hospitals (Oldenburg University Hospital, Oldenburg Evangelical Hospital, Pius Hospital Oldenburg and Karl Jaspers Clinic) have been successfully training doctors in Oldenburg. During this period, the number of places for first-year students has risen from 40 to the current 120 per year. From the outset, the plan was to expand this to at least 200 places annually.
In 2019, the School agreed a detailed plan with the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK), which includes the gradual adjustment of state funding allocations and an increase in the number of places. The newly elected red-green state government in 2022 announced in its coalition agreement that it would ensure the expansion to 200 places and ‘adequately fund’ research and teaching activities at the university and its partner hospitals. This also includes funding for the construction of buildings. The Planning Institute for Higher Education Development (HIS-HE) has identified a space shortfall of 20,000 square metres, based on 200 places for first-year students per year. The first phase of a research building will begin next year, whilst planning for the second phase is underway. With today’s announcement, the state government has made it clear that the construction of the second phase is just as firmly planned as the construction of a teaching building.