Hamburg pours funding into digitalizing education

Some 15 million euros will be spent on digitalization in colleges, schools and libraries across the city

The coronavirus pandemic has created a sharp need for the rapid digitalisation of education across Europe. In response to this, the Hamburg Senate has decided to allocate a total of 15 million euros in order to build up and strengthen the digital infrastructure of local educational establishments and libraries, so that they may fare better when faced with the challenges of the future.

Providing funding where it is needed

The state universities of Hamburg, the medical faculty of the University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE) and the State and University Library Hamburg (SUB) will be the main beneficiaries of this digitalization initiative. Although as classes during the summer semester were forced to adopt a digital format,  both the educational establishments and the library have already created the necessary infrastructure, the funding is still vital as it will cover many of the expenses that they have incurred over the past few months.

The support that the city will provide, however, will also be key in providing a foundation for future developments of the digital services offered by the aforementioned institutions. As explained by Hamburg State Senator for Science Katharina Fegebank the quest for digitalization is far from over.  “In the last few months, our universities have achieved great things under difficult conditions and expanded the range of digital courses. This required flexibility, creativity and great commitment - from students and teachers alike. We want to support the enormous efforts of the universities with an investment offensive amounting to 15 million euros for digital teaching.

At the same time, we now have a great opportunity to make another big leap in expanding digital teaching. Because one thing is clear: due to the corona pandemic, the winter semester will not take place purely as classroom teaching either. Indeed, face-to-face events can take place where it is possible in compliance with the contact and hygiene regulations - but there will continue to be many digital courses. "