EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

In the Federal Republio of Germany, institutions of higher education will encounter an increase in demand for student places during the 1980's. This demand is expected in the mid‐1980's to reach 850,000 places. At the same time substantial changes, concerning job opportunities for higher education graduates, will take place on the labour market.

The following information is based on the analyses and recommendations, concerning the above problems, which were presented in the report of the FRG Scientific Council (Wissenschaftsrat) entitled “Recommendations on the Structure and Extent of Higher Education”.     

EQUIVALENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION ‐‐ A VIEW FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

The authors of this article make a plea for the rationalization and the streamlining of the procedures for granting recognition of foreign diplomas and studies and for obtaining rulings as to their equivalence. The removal of the remaining economic barriers among the countries of the European Community at the end of 1992 is bound to stimulate the mobility of students, graduates, and job seekers, many of whom already, on an individual basis, think of themselves as members of an international community. What is needed, in addition to a strong commitment to the very ideas of mobility, equivalence, and recognition of diplomas as well as efficient means for making decisions on these questions, is goodwill, increased flexibility, and easy access to accurate and up‐to‐date information for both seekers and granters. Also, professional licensing procedures for foreign workers will need to be liberalized.     

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY: A WEAKENING INTEREST IN HIGHER EDUCATION STUDIES

The number of secondary school‐leavers wishing to study at higher education institutions in the Federal Republic of Germany continues to decrease. This is the main finding of a poll carried out among secondary school‐leavers in the school year 1976‐1977. We give below the main findings of the survey.