The government factions of the CDU and the Greens want to abolish the fees for students from non-EU countries in Baden-Württemberg. “The current tuition fees for international students at our universities are a real location disadvantage,” said CDU MP Winfried Mack on Thursday in the state parliament in Stuttgart. His parliamentary group is committed to Baden-Württemberg being the last federal state to abolish the fees.
The shortage of skilled workers is noticeable everywhere, argued Mack. “For a successful future for our state, we need the brightest and best minds in Baden-Württemberg.” The abolition of the fee for international students increases the attractiveness of the universities in Baden-Württemberg.
Approval comes from the coalition partner. “We want to implement this together,” said Greens parliamentary group leader Andreas Schwarz. It is important to attract foreign skilled workers and keep them in the country. However, the financing of the project must now also be discussed. “The reform does not come for free,” he said. One must ensure that the quality of studies and teaching is maintained. According to the Ministry of Science, the state earned around 30 million euros last year from tuition fees. 10,000 students are affected by the fees, they pay an amount of 1500 euros per semester.
Praise for the announcement of green and black comes from business. He welcomes the positive signals, said the President of the Baden-Württemberg Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (BWIHK), Christian Erbe. The collection of tuition fees is an “instrument that has fallen out of time”. When it comes to securing skilled workers, every stone must be turned. «Every measure counts!»
SPD faction leader Andreas Stoch also expressed his surprise. His faction has been calling for its abolition for years. It is good news that the government factions have now moved on the subject. “We will now take them at their word and quickly present a corresponding draft law. Then the Greens and the CDU can follow their words with deeds, »he announced.
Science Minister Petra Olschowski (Greens) welcomed the initiative of the government factions: “We are working with all our might to further develop Baden-Württemberg as an attractive place to study.” The necessity of the fees is currently being examined intensively.
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