Boost for research and education in budget proposal

The new government wants to invest heavily in research, innovation and education. In a departure from the previous government, the current government parties want to give greater priority to these areas, as is clear from the 2012 budget proposal.

– We are very proud of the solutions we have reached in the budget proposal and they really show that we are prioritising this area. Of course, I am aware that we haven't crossed the finish line yet, but we have already taken the first step towards better education, more independent research and a more fertile breeding ground for innovative initiatives, says Higher Education Minister Morten Østergaard.

In the budget proposal, the government has allocated an extra DKK 300 million to research, thereby providing more than DKK 1 billion to publically-funded research in 2012. Universities will therefore avoid the significant cuts that were indicated by the previous government. The 2012 budget proposal sees the government infuse basic funds with DKK 214 million and set aside DKK 113 million for the Danish Council for Independent Research.

The government has also decided to allocate more than DKK 1 billion in 2012 and 2013 to the increase in educational activities – DKK 420 million in 2012 and DKK 630 million in 2013. The increased investment is rooted in the government's objective of ensuring that 60 per cent of a youth cohort receives a higher education.

In addition, the government has found another way to help students by planning to remove the user charges for supplementary courses to higher education. The government feels that a student's financial background should not be the limiting factor for deciding which higher education to pursue.

The government will also allocate funds to create 170 new places for those studying for a Bachelor of Technology Management and Marine Engineering. Graduates are much sought-after, but one of the institutions offering the degree had to turn away applicants this year.

– I am really looking forward to negotiating the final budget, which will help benefit education and research environments and create a foundation for future growth in Denmark, says Morten Østergaard.

• See the budget proposal summary at the Ministry of Finance (in Danish)

Higher Education Minister Morten Østergaard can be contacted via press officer Charlotte Holst, tel: +45 2211 0200 or email: chhh@fivu.dk.