On Tuesday, Science Minister Bettina Martin introduced the reform of the State Higher Education Act (LHG M-V) to the cabinet. The amendment implements a central project of the coalition agreement to make the state’s universities more efficient, attractive and innovative.

The reform provides for the right to award doctorates to research-intensive areas at universities of applied sciences (HAWs), previously known as universities of applied sciences. This renaming is intended to increase the attractiveness of the facilities for students and teachers. In addition, access to studies for those with vocational qualifications will be facilitated by the fact that universities will be able to decide more flexibly on the duration of the necessary professional practice. This is intended to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

University autonomy will be strengthened by reducing bureaucratic obligations, for example by eliminating reporting obligations on study regulations or research sabbaticals. Student co-determination is also being expanded: In the future, each university is to accept an elected student member into the university management in order to better integrate student interests.

Another focus of the reform is the transfer of building ownership to the university medical centres, which will be able to implement construction projects on their own responsibility from 2026. This is intended to accelerate investment projects. A joint committee of the Ministry of Science and the Ministry of Finance will secure the interests of the state as guarantors. This change is already enshrined in the Budget Accompanying Act 2026/2027.

The state parliament is to deal with the draft law in the first reading in November 2025, and adoption is planned for spring 2026. The reform was developed in close coordination with the universities and will now be discussed in the association hearing. The aim is to strengthen Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a science location in the long term.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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