Thuringian universities as key drivers of innovation and catalysts for the development of the entire region
A study examining the economic and cultural significance of Thuringia’s universities was presented to the public during the Parliamentary Evening of the Thuringian Conference of State Presidents (Thüringer Landespräsidentenkonferenz, TLPK) held at the Thuringian State Parliament on 13 March 2024.
»The ten state universities of the Free State of Thuringia are integral to Thuringia’s educational landscape. They also play an important role in advancing research and technology in the state, both in basic and applied research as well as in technology transfer and the founding of new companies. In addition to the performance of these core tasks, the universities generate direct and ongoing economic impacts for the Free State each year«, the study concludes.
The ten state universities in Thuringia showcased the broad spectrum of their activities under the slogan »Our universities are worth their weight in gold« (»Unsere Hochschulen sind GoldWert«), highlighting their immense importance for the state of Thuringia and its people. The activities have an impact on more than just academic education; they also affect the economy, culture, social life and future viability of Thuringia.
Based on data from 2022, the study carried out by the University of Heidelberg on behalf of the TLPK confirms the outstanding contribution of these educational institutions to Thuringia’s economic development. The study »The regional economic impact of state universities in the Free State of Thuringia« (»Die regionalökonomische Bedeutung der staatlichen Hochschulen im Freistaat Thüringen«) identifies three critical factors. One key aspect is the university-related expenditure itself. In the year in question, state universities invested 967 million euros in wages, salaries, materials and services. The nearly 46,000 students spent an additional 673 million euros. Due to their advanced qualifications, graduates from the ten universities earned a higher income than their peers without a university degree. The study speaks of nearly 700 million euros in the job market.
Another significant factor is the spin-offs from the universities, which resulted in additional spending amounting to 139 million euros in 2022. In total, this led to an impact of approximately two billion euros and the creation of nearly 30,000 jobs in Thuringia. The study found that for every euro invested in the basic funding of the ten state universities in Thuringia in 2022, added value of 3.64 euros was generated.
In his speech, TLPK Chair and TU Ilmenau President Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Sattler underscored the pivotal role of universities in the development of Thuringia. »Our universities function as more than just centres of research and education; they also play a crucial role in driving innovation and serve as a source of inspiration for the entire region. The results of the impact study vividly illustrate the wide-ranging and beneficial effects on the regional economy and job market.«
The Parliamentary Evening provided participants with a chance to enter into constructive dialogue about the future of Thuringia’s higher education landscape and collaborate on ways to enhance and support it.
The complete study is available at: https://www.tlpk.de/fileadmin/Grafiken/Kooperationen/Die_regionaloekonomische_Bedeutung_der_staatlichen_Hochschulen_im_Freistaat_Thueringen_Februar_2024.pdf
Contact: Office of the Thuringian Conference of State Presidents E-mail: geschaeftsstelle@tlpk.de www.tlpk.de