The state government's current budget plans allow University Medicine Oldenburg to plan reliably for the future for the first time since it was founded. 125 million euros are to be channelled into the location by 2028.
"This decision is one of the most important moments for University Medicine Oldenburg since it was founded 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 future-oriented manner. This is an important step for the entire north-west and its healthcare provision." With these words, Prof Dr Ralph Bruder, President of the University of Oldenburg, commented on the current budget planning of the state government of Lower Saxony, which Minister President Stephan Weil presented today in Hanover and which the state parliament will decide on in December. According to the plan, University Medicine Oldenburg will receive an additional 125 million euros by 2028. This announcement will ensure an increase in the number of first-year students from 120 to 200 per year from the 2026/27 winter semester. The sum also includes around 31 million euros for investments in a research and teaching building. In total, the state government estimates the costs at 142 million euros, most of which will not be realised until after 2028.
"Our thanks go to the state government, which is proving to be a reliable partner, and to the many people and institutions in the region who have supported us from the very beginning. Almost 20,000 people have just signed in support of our demand for adequate financing. The state government is also sending an important signal to them: Their concerns about healthcare are being taken seriously," said Bruder.
The 125 million euros also include compensation payments for the UMO's co-operation hospitals. This means that the state government is now also permanently recognising the efforts of the cooperation hospitals for their part in 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. "This will enable the state to accelerate the expansion of university medicine, research and teaching in Oldenburg. These funds underline the recognition of the achievements of our employees. We would like to thank the state government for its trust and investment in the future of University Medicine Oldenburg. We are determined to use this support efficiently and sustainably in order to continue to provide top performance in medicine and research," said Rainer Schoppik, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Klinikum Oldenburg, on behalf of the cooperating hospitals, which include the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Oldenburg, the Pius-Hospital Oldenburg and the Karl-Jaspers-Klinik.
Prof Dr Hans Gerd Nothwang, full-time Dean of School V - School of Medicine and Health Sciences since 2018, is also relieved about the announcement from Hanover. "With politicians on our side, we can tackle the challenges facing the healthcare system. Increasing our number of study places is an active contribution to counteracting the upcoming shortage of specialists with additional excellently trained doctors," he emphasised.
Background information:
The University of Oldenburg and its four partner hospitals (Klinikum Oldenburg, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Oldenburg, Pius-Hospital Oldenburg and Karl-Jaspers-Klinik) have been successfully training doctors in Oldenburg since 2012. The number of places for first-year students has risen from 40 to currently 120 per year during this time. From the outset, the plan was to expand to at least 200 places per year.
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 allocations and an increase in the number of study places. The new red-green state government elected in 2022 announced in its coalition agreement that it would ensure the expansion to 200 study places and "adequately finance" the research and teaching tasks at the university and the cooperating hospitals. This also includes financial resources for the construction of buildings. The Planning Institute for Higher Education Development (HIS-HE) has identified a space deficit of 20,000 square metres, based on 200 first-year student places per year. The first construction phase of a research building will be completed next year and planning is underway for the second. With today's announcement, the state government has made it clear that the construction of the second construction phase is just as firmly planned as the construction of a teaching building.