Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - Fewer students registered at Saxony-Anhalt's universities at the start of the winter semester than in previous years. A total of around 6,200 freshmen were enrolled, according to preliminary figures from the Ministry of Science on Friday. Last year there were around 7,200 new students, and two years ago it was almost 7,900.
Science Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD) also blames ongoing international crises for the decline. "The start of the winter semester at the universities is characterized by the corona pandemic, the Ukraine war and the energy crisis," explained Willingmann. In particular, the number of foreign students has been declining for a long time. A ministry spokeswoman said that strict corona measures such as lockdowns and travel restrictions prevented many, especially in Asia, from starting their studies abroad.
Willingmann explained that the war in Ukraine is causing additional uncertainty because in Asia and other parts of the world it is viewed primarily as a war in Europe. The continuing price increases also mean that studying is becoming more expensive.
Willingmann made it clear that there should not be a return to online teaching due to the ongoing crises. He announced that colleges, student unions and medical schools should receive additional funding from the state in the face of soaring energy prices. "So far, we have planned around 20 million euros in the state budget for 2023 to compensate for the additional expenditure on energy," explained Willingmann.
