5.7 Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung / Federal Ministry of Education and Research 5.7.1 The Ministry acknowledged that its higher education system was not as effective as the vocational education system, owing to the fact that many young people exited the school system without university exemption. 5.7.2 The majority of learners in Germany chose the VET system since it offered more opportunities to gain employment and income while on training compared to university education. 5.7.3 The 2012 Year of Science partnership between Germany and South Africa was an opportunity for the country's higher education institutions to improve their research and development initiatives. It was also an opportunity for industries to invest in this partnership to move towards green jobs. 5.7.4 The German government was willing to assist the South African post school education and training system through its partnership and development initiatives.