In 1477, Eberhard im Bart, Count and later Duke of Wurttemberg, established the founding tenets of the University of Tubingen, which the institution has followed to this day. Eberhard-Karls-Universitat has distinguished the intellectual life of the State and, with its internationally recognized achievements, has helped to foster and shape the country?s life and development.
Tightly interwoven with the University?s history is the "Evangelisches Stift", founded in 1536 as a Protestant Seminary to which many famous names have added distinction. Johannes Kepler studied here in 1587; other members included the poets Holderlin, Hauff, and Morike and the philosophers Hegel and Schelling.
By the beginning of the 19th century Eberhard-Karls-Universitat experienced an impressive academic upswing, and, through its eminent professors became well known beyond the borders of Wurttemberg. After a Catholic Theology and a State Economics Faculty had been added to the original four in 1817 Tubingen became Germany?s first university to establish a Faculty of Natural Sciences in 1863. The first University Hospital was installed in 1805, in the "Alte Burse", which is the oldest building of the University, constructed in 1478 and still in use today.
Today, the institution?s character is marked by an awareness of tradition and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
ATTEMPTO - "I?ll try it": This was Count Eberhard?s motto after he returned from his pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1468, instructing the new University after its foundation in 1477 to "help dig the well of life and eternally enable all corners of the world to drink comforting and healing wisdom and thereby extinguish the pernicious fire of human ignorance and blindness".
Tubingen?s contemporary appearance is characterized by 20000 students living in a comparatively small city of 85000. While the majority of the liberal arts departments and institutions are located in the old part of Tubingen, the modern Science Center was built thirty years ago on the hills overlooking the town. The University?s academic reputation is determined by the research achievements of more than 450 professors and about 2000 academic assistants. At their disposal is not only the latest technical equipment, but also extensive library facilities. The latest results of scientific research flow directly into the University?s curriculum, thus guaranteeing an up-to-date education.
Until well into the 19th century the financial needs of the University were covered by its own endowment. Today, however, research is predominantly financed by the State of Baden-Wurttemberg and the Federal Government. Additional funds and donations add up to another EUR 70 million.
The University, with almost 10000 employees, is the biggest employer of Southern Wurttemberg and has a budget of about EUR 650 million. The University Hospital?s turnover alone makes up for more than half of that amount. An additional EUR 25 million is spent on building and construction.
Faculties: Protestant Theology, Catholic Theology, Law, Economics and Business Administration, Medicine, Philosophy and History, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Modern Languages, Cultural Sciences, Mathematics and Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Biology, Geosciences, Informatics.
