For the first time since it was founded, the current budget plans of the state government allow Oldenburg University Medicine (UMO) to plan reliably for the future. 125 million euros will be invested until 2028.
"For the University Medicine Oldenburg this decision is one of the most important moments since its foundation twelve years ago. The Lower Saxony 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 way. This is an important step for the whole of the North West and its healthcare." These were the words of Prof. Dr. Ralph Bruder, President of the University of Oldenburg, commenting on the current budget plans of the Lower Saxony state government. These plans were presented today in Hannover by Minister President Stephan Weil and will be voted on by the state parliament in December. According to the plan, Oldenburg University Medicine will receive an additional 125 million euros by 2028. This will enable the number of new students to increase from 120 to 200 per year starting in the winter semester of 2026/27. This includes around €31 million for a research and teaching building. In total, the state government estimates the costs at €142 million, most of which will not be realised until after 2028.
"Our thanks go to the state government, which has proven to be a reliable partner, and to the many people and institutions in the region who have supported us from the beginning. A petition supporting our demand for adequate funding has recently been signed by almost 20,000 people. The state government is also sending them an important message: Their concerns about health care are taken seriously," says Bruder.
The 125 million euros also includes compensation payments to the UMO's cooperation hospitals. This means that the state government is now permanently recognising the efforts of the cooperating hospitals for 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 this way, the state is enabling a faster 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 Oldenburg University Medicine. We are determined to use this support efficiently and sustainably in order to continue to deliver top performance in medicine and research," said Rainer Schoppik, CEO of the 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 the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences since 2018, is also relieved by the announcement from Hannover. "With politicians on our side, we can tackle the challenges facing the healthcare system. Increasing the number of students per year will actively contribute to counteracting the impending shortage of specialists with additional excellently trained doctors," he emphasised.
Background information:
The University of Oldenburg and its four cooperating hospitals (Klinikum Oldenburg, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Oldenburg, Pius Hospital Oldenburg and Karl Jaspers Klinik) have been successfully training doctors in Oldenburg since 2012. During this time, the number of places for new students has risen from 40 to currently 120 per year. From the outset, the plan was to expand to at least 200 places per year.
In 2019, the faculty agreed a detailed plan with the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK), which includes a gradual adjustment of state allocations and an increase in student numbers. 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 of the university and the cooperating hospitals. This includes funding for the construction of buildings. The Institute for Higher Education Development (HIS-HE) has identified a space deficit of 20,000 square metres, based on 200 students beginning their studies each year. The first part of a research building will be built from next year, and the second part is being planned. With today's announcement, the government has made it clear that the construction of the second phase is as firmly planned as the construction of a teaching building.
This text has been translated from German with the help of KI.
