Funding for academic networks with the Global South is set to be phased out completely

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) warns of the consequences of planned cuts by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for international university cooperation. According to the BMZ’s current plans, all DAAD programmes for university cooperation are to be discontinued by 2031, with one exception. In addition, programmes that have hitherto been funded through special BMZ initiatives are coming to an end. Last year, the DAAD provided around 25 million euros in funding for the programmes in question.

“These cuts threaten a key pillar of German foreign science policy and development cooperation: the structured and demonstrably highly successful engagement of our higher education institutions in promoting German interests through cooperation with partners in the Global South,” explained DAAD President Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee in Bonn. “Those who scale back these university partnerships may save money in the short term, but at the same time they weaken Germany’s international capacity to act in science, business and the recruitment of skilled workers. The resulting gaps worldwide will be filled by other states such as China, and possibly Russia too – with significant consequences for Germany’s influence in the countries of the Global South.”

Cuts affect university partnerships worldwide

The DAAD fears significant consequences for university partnerships with countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Already this year, projects in high demand from German universities cannot be re-tendered (SDG partnerships). In the following years , all university cooperation programmes – with the exception of an alumni programme – as well as programmes from BMZ special initiatives, such as the so-called “practical partnerships between universities and companies in Germany and Africa”, will come to an end. By 2031, around 60 universities in Germany would be affected by the termination of these programmes.

To date, the DAAD has used BMZ funding to support projects involving German universities and partner institutions in countries of the Global South. These collaborations focus on future-oriented topics such as energy supply, water management, health, digitalisation and entrepreneurship. In doing so, the DAAD supports the development of practice-oriented degree programmes, the expansion of joint research, the training of skilled workers, and improvements to the management of universities and research institutions. Over the past five years, the higher education programmes funded by the DAAD have reached almost 120,000 people in nearly 60 countries. Around 450 partner universities and institutions worldwide were involved.

Cooperation creates networks and ensures influence

“Many global challenges can only be tackled in close cooperation with partners in the Global South,” said Mukherjee. “University cooperation creates long-term, international networks between universities, the scientific community, business and politics. Those who lose access to these scientific networks also lose vital access to innovation, international partners and future markets.”

Germany is competing globally for talent, partners and scientific collaborations, according to the DAAD President. In times of geopolitical tension and under intense systemic competitive pressure, Germany needs stable international scientific networks. “University partnerships not only promote development opportunities in partner countries, but also strengthen Germany’s interests in science, business and foreign policy worldwide. We should therefore work together with great commitment to maintain these networks in the long term,” Mukherjee continued.