German Rectors' Conference

The German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) serves as the central coordinating body for universities in Germany. It advocates for higher education institutions, represents their interests at national and international levels, and fosters collaboration among them. The HRK works on key issues including university governance, academic freedom, quality assurance, internationalization, and higher education policy. It also supports student and researcher mobility, recognition of qualifications, and strengthens Germany’s connections to global higher education networks.

The HRK has three main tasks:

1. Opinion-shaping and political representation. Through the HRK, the individuals responsible for university management can stay abreast of new developments in the higher education system, discuss issues in research and higher education policy and develop joint positions. On this basis, the President and Executive Board of the HRK represent the interests of the member institutions in dialogue with politics and administration at Federal and State Government level and in the public sphere. As well as responding to issues and positions that are already the subject of political and public debate, the HRK actively sets the agenda for discussion.

2. Development of principles and standards in the higher education system. In central areas of the German research and education system, the HRK engages in intensive dialogue with partners in academia, the federal and state governments, employers’ associations, trade unions and many others to formulate jointly accepted and long-term norms and standards.

3. Services to higher education institutions and the public. The HRK assists its member institutions and the public with a range of services. For example, it provides support to member institutions in relation to internationalisation (The HRK), the digitalisation of teaching (Higher Education Forum on Digitalisation) and the development of study programmes (the nexus project), provides politicians, the media and industry with in-depth and up-to-date information on the higher education system, especially the courses on offer (Higher Education Compass), and helps students to find the right course (clearing system for study places).