New building approved

7.12.2020 | THD-Pressestelle

The Bavarian Ministry of Science, in agreement with the Bavarian Ministry of Finance and the Bavarian Ministry of Construction, approved the project application for the new construction of the European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI). This laid the foundation stone for the planning of the new campus building.

At the announcement, Science Minister Sibler emphasised that it is thanks to the high quality of the Pfarrkirchen study location that the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) is now getting a new home in Pfarrkirchen. “With this, we are creating a state-of-the-art study environment for around a thousand students on an area of over 4,000 square metres. In particular, the new building will also provide additional space for applied research and for the further expansion of the degree programmes in order to consistently continue this Lower Bavarian model of success,” explained Sibler.

The Ministry of Construction is also delighted. They are pleased about the order and will now begin with the planning. The goal is to provide students and lecturers with a sustainable and functional new building that is tailored to their needs, said Construction Minister Kerstin Schreyer.

The new ECRI building will create a state-of-the-art location for internationally oriented study programmes far away from the large metropolises, which contributes to the goal of the homeland policy, said Finance and Homeland Minister Albert Füracker. Such locations are an essential success factor for the Bavarian university and higher education landscape, the Minister emphasised.

ECRI Campus Director Prof Dr Horst Kunhardt was particularly pleased with the approval. ECRI had been working towards this for a long time. In view of the rising student numbers and the current growth rate, the new building is extremely important for the campus. The Corona pandemic was used well for this and the cooperation with the ministries went very well during this time, explained Prof Kunhardt. He expects that the year 2021 will be used for planning, tendering and awarding. Optimistically, construction could then begin at the end of 2021 or beginning of 2022, which could then be completed in two to two and a half years.

At present, the degree programmes are still housed in the interim building provided by the district of Rottal-Inn, the Sustainability and Innovation Lab Centre (SILC).

Bild (ECRI/DIT): Until the new building is completed, ECRI is still housed in the interim building, the Sustainability Innovation Lab Centre.