HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

The scientific, technological and social demand resulting from the GDR's advanced level of development has led to continuously growing tasks not only with regard to the traditional functions of higher education hut also to those which enlarge the possibilities for further professional, social and cultural development. The following article, written for “Higher Education in Europe” by Professor Willi Wolter of the Institute of Higher Education at Humboldt University in Berlin, presents these aspects of the GDR's higher education.     

FOSTERING ABILITY IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

In the schools of the German Democratic Republic, the fostering of gifts and talents is regarded as (a) an integral component of a system emphasizing the unity of general education and special provision for the highly able, (b) a contribution to the development of the whole personality of gifted students and (c) part of the process of recognizing and fostering gifts and talents in all areas of human activity. Education of the gifted takes place in the schools in the form of integrated‐differentiated instruction (subject specific), of demanding out of school activities (interdisciplinary, project work) and of polytechnic education (oriented towards productive work). A longitudinal study in 8 schools with pupils from 12–16 years in age yielded findings on the interaction between in and out of school activities, on the dynamics of personality and performance development in gifted youngsters, and on sex differences in the process of promotion and development of gifts. The results support the value of integrated‐differentiated fostering of able students throughout their school years, but are against too early selection and channelling.     

STATISTICS ON STUDENT POPULATION IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Basic statistical data on higher education up io 1976 in the German Democratic Republic was published by the GDR's Ministry for Higher and Specialised Education at the end of 1977. The information presented below is based on some of these data concerning student population.     

CONFERENCE ON TRAINING OF SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

The following article consists of information specially prepared for the Bulletin by the Institute for Higher Education of the Humboldt University in the German Democratic Republic. It concerns the objectives in the training of scientific personnel in the German Democratic Republic, as discussed in a recent conference.     

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

The below information concerns the establishment of a new university level institution in the German Democratic Republic ‐‐ the Technische Hochschule in Leipzig.     

USE OF EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION BY THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

After a certain period of relactance and objective difficulties the use of television as an educational medium in the institutions of higher education is now increasing. The following article, written for “Higher Education in Europe” by Drs. Rainhard Borm and Sigrid Borm from the Institute of Higher Education at the Berlin Humboldt University, presents the current situation with regard to the application of educational television in the educational process by the institutions of higher education in the German Democratic Republic.     

INFORMATION ON SOME NON‐TRADITIONAL FORMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Non‐traditional forms of higher education in the German Democratic Republic are mainly directed towards adult students.

We give below information on the planning, organization and role of this form of study within the GDR's higher education system.     

INTERNATIONAL INTER‐UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND STUDENT EXCHANGES ‐ A VIEW FROM THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

As the role of a university is like that of a lighthouse, international inter‐university exchanges of students and of teachers enable universities to perform their instructional and research‐oriented tasks with increased efficiency and creativity. The universities of the German Democratic Republic, having accumulated more than thirty years of experience in the domain of student and faculty exchanges, can offer the world some advice on the subject. Although good and bad points can be identified with regard to different kinds of exchanges, the good points predominate. No one condemns the overall usefulness of inter‐university exchanges of teachers and students. The future will no doubt witness an increase in the number of exchanges, particularly of those arranged through multilateral agreements     

THE VIABILITY OF FUNDAMENTAL UNITS IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION AND FUNDAMENTAL TASKS OF A UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT

The authors focus on the university department as the basic administrative and productive unit in the managerial structures of universities in the German Democratic Republic. For the authors, the departmental structure is more efficient in almost every way than the former system of faculties and chairs because it permits a more rational use of available human, material, technical, and financial resources. Departments which are structured in terms of specific disciplinary and scientific criteria can more easily forge links with other departments with regard to interdisciplinary projects and programmes. They are also in a position to interact more efficiently with outside partners, in industry, for instance. The authors focus their study on the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Technological University of Karl‐Marx‐Stadt by reference to which they illustrate the versatility of university departments in general and the advantages of such management concepts as decentralization and individual initiative and responsibility.