ABSTRACT
The guiding principles of GDR higher education are (l) equal access to higher education for every qualified citizen; (2) the unity of training and education, teaching and research, theory and practice; and (3) the right to suitable employment upon graduation. The Ministry of Higher and Technical Education is responsible for the policy, planning, and administration of higher education. Universities, colleges, and other institutions of equal rank are headed by rectors who are elected from a pool of full professors by the Academic Council (Wissenschaftlicher Rat) of the re spective institution and appointed by the minister. Throughout its history, the GDR has looked to higher education to play a pivotal role in the development of social ism.
