“Science must engage with societ much more closely”
If you had to describe 2024 in a single sentence, what would it be?
Claudia Becker: 2024 was an intense year, it was diverse, colourful and everything was as it should be. In January 2024, the Senate approved the University Development Plan (UDP), which is the basis for the target agreement period with the state until 2029.
What is the current state of affairs?
Developing the UDP was a long but very important process. Just mentioning the most important goals, we described how the profile of the university should be shaped – that we want to intensify internationalisation, increase research output, improve the thirdparty funding rate, and teach more digital skills in our courses. These points are also reflected in the target agreements with the state. With the UDP, we have a framework for the targeted design of paths that we have created. To date, we have lacked this continuity. At the same time, the plan is not to be seen as a rigid framework – the university is always open to future paths and is not restricted in its development.
Will the university change?
Every university must and will constantly change in the course of time. What we will not see, however, is a fundamentally different MLU than we have today. That is not what the UDP is intended for and, I believe, that is not what any of us want. In fact, we would like to maintain the broad scope of the university and rather try to flesh out the formulated profiles in specific areas.
The profiling of the MLU should be guided by three profile lines: transformation, sustainability as well as knowledge cultures and education. These are broadly based. Why?
The idea of the profile lines is to create an umbrella spanning the entire university. The lines have grown out of what is already there: from the projects, the core research areas, the publications. What has to follow now is the concrete design and modelling – in other words, answering the question of which core research areas we would like to work towards. Since the defined framework must, of course, lead to very specific initiatives: new research networks, study specialisations, research training groups, collaborative research centres, and proposals for excellence.
In terms of research funding, 2024 was a great year – MLU received 21.5 million euros in funding for the European Center of Just Transition Research and Impact-Driven Transfer (JTC), a new collaborative Research Centre was granted, and the DiP network, which aims to advance digitalization in agriculture … The list of million-euro projects goes on. How do you rate it?
It has to be said that 2024 was extraordinary and even a large university cannot expect this same level of success year after year. Our success can be attributed to two key factors: On the one hand, we simply have this great potential at our MLU with outstanding researchers who, with their work, lay the foundation for our ability to acquire such projects in the first place.
This is simply one of our strengths at the moment and I think that’s fantastic. On the other hand, it must be made clear that this does not simply materialise out of the blue, but that we first have to invest in ideas and research, scientific exchange is needed, and publications must be created. We are now reaping the rewards of the seeds sown by our predecessors and that is something we have to be honest about. In other words, research takes time. That is why basic funding from the state budget is so important.
The JTC, the “Agentur für Aufbruch” (agency for new beginnings) – MLU is currently making a big impact in the region, with specific projects and also with local offices and scouts. Is this a new quality of the “third mission”?
Today, science must engage and interact much more closely with society. In the past, research results were published in scientific circles and things then arose that were also relevant to society. Nowadays, people are questioning much more about what science is actually good for. We have to show that we are not just playing around, but that we are actually using the results of science in a very specific way to support the people in this country – whether it be through inventions and optimisations, or by strengthening social interaction.
This also brings us to the topic of securing qualified employees for the region. To what extent is this an issue for MLU?
This is a very important topic. Firstly, MLU is a major employer in its own right. This means that we need specialists ourselves. Secondly, we are educating thousands of young people – students who will later shape the future of our country as academic specialists in business, administration, law, medicine, and education. However, we also provide traditional vocational training, for example in technical and commercial occupations. Thirdly, not only do we want the lights in our region to stay on, we also want them to shine brighter. We would like to contribute to this, for example, through research collaborations or the “Fachkräfteallianz Sachsen-Anhalt Süd” (alliance for qualified employees), which we joined in 2024.
The Future Centre for German Unity and European Transformation is being established in the City of Halle. What opportunities does this offer MLU?
I think it’s great that the City of Halle was chosen. I, myself, was able to be there when the jury visited the site in 2023. The city’s rich scientific landscape was certainly a major positive factor when making the decision and it goes without saying that MLU is an important player in this. Since the Future Centre does not yet exist as a fixed construct, we have the chance to help shape it here. I think the Future Centre will give us the opportunity to have a special impact on society.
Let’s take a look at studying and teaching. A lot is happening here, too. How do you think MLU is developing?
In 2024, we anchored the mission statement for teaching and formulated objectives, tasks and strategic orientation within it. As with the UDP, we have started with a broader line that is now being fleshed out in detail. Digitisation strategy and internationalisation will be key points in this regard. At MLU, we have an incredible number of people who want to promote the university’s development. We have a rectorate commission on the future of studying and teaching, with numerous active volunteers. The results, intermediate findings and things to think about are always presented and discussed on the Day of Teaching, with everincreasing participation from the university community. This commitment has existed for quite some time, but it is really gaining momentum now.
And another example: The newly introduced e-exam in legal education is certainly a great asset as it simplifies many things. We are making very good headway when it comes to digital exams. To remain up-to-date and attractive when it comes to teaching, we constantly have to reinvent ourselves. Here, I am thinking of digital and hybrid events, of activating face-to-face formats, and of reconciling studies with family life.
The training of the teachers of the future is an important topic at MLU. Yet, attracting students is a major challenge. What is MLU doing about this?
Indeed, we have a great need for teachers. Especially in times of an acute shortage of qualified employees, it is important to inspire young people to pursue this career. However, this seems to be challenging for two reasons: On the one hand, the job description is idealised – teachers get to work with young people, impart knowledge, and shape the future. On the other hand, school life is sometimes portrayed negatively in the media. Both aspects are problematic: Those who come to us with exaggerated expectations drop out of their studies, while those who allow themselves to become scared don’t even come in the first place. For this reason, we have started counteracting this development, for example with our “Autumn University”. We approached pupils throughout Germany and invited them to the City of Halle to show them, in the course of two days, what teaching at school and teacher training are actually all about. We received the “Hochschulperle” (University Pearl) award from the “Stifterverband” (Association of Donors) for this idea.
A question regarding the culture of remembrance at MLU. In 2024, a lecture hall was named after the alumnus Anton Wilhelm Amo. This was met with great public interest. What do you think – was the honour given at the right time?
Definitely, especially when you look at the present mood. Currently, we are talking a great deal about migration, about necessary and undesired immigration. Especially for science, for research-based education of future generations, cosmopolitanism, the free exchange of ideas, diversity and tolerance, acceptance of differences and also the finding of common solutions are absolutely essential. Amo shows us that, in our own university history, there were at least a few individuals for whom and with whom we already practised values such as a welcoming culture and integration from a very early stage. This may not have been without difficulties – Amo was popular, but he also faced hostility.
In 2025, the universities of Halle, Jena and Leipzig will celebrate an anniversary: 30 years of the Central German University Alliance. How important is this partnership?
The University Alliance is important because, together, three universities are stronger than each one is on ist own. I think it’s a good idea to pool one’s strengths and make something special out of something good. The University Alliance does not only enable cross-university studies and the mutual recognition of certificates. It also creates space for joint research. A good example of this is the iDiv, the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle-Jena-Leipzig. It was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the past ten years and we have now been able to secure funding from the three universities, the three federal states of Central Germany and the federal government. This means that we can continue this important research, which represents a great success.
In closing, a sentence for the year 2025. How will things be for the MLU?
We will continue moving things ahead and the outcome of our endeavours will hopefully be excellent.