News

Onderwijs

  • European Universities: Knowledge is Europe’s Strategic Asset

    Onderwijs

    The National Rectors’ Conferences of Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, and Spain jointly call for ambitious European investment in research and education. In line with the Parliamentary draft report by Christian Ehler, Europe must commit to a budget of €220 billion for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) and €60 billion for Erasmus+.

  • Dutch universities call on government to be constructive in ‘European Degree’ discussion

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    Last year, the European Commission published its plans to work towards a ‘European Degree’ that can facilitate collaboration in the field of higher education. A European degree could facilitate and simplify the development of joint study programmes, for example by universities that are part of an alliance within the European Universities Initiative (EUI). The Commission believes a European Degree could provide answers to challenges related to accreditation, quality assurance, mobility, and infrastructure. Through in-depth cooperation, knowledge institutions can contribute to innovation and flexibility of higher education while students and staff gain access to knowledge that they would not always have been available to them at their home institution. They can thereby gain new skills that contribute to the competitiveness of both the Netherlands and Europe.

  • UNL response to letter to the House of Representatives about managing international student flows

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    This afternoon, Minister of Education, Culture and Science Eppo Bruins sent a letter about his plans for internationalisation in higher education to the House of Representatives. Caspar van den Berg, president of Universities of the Netherlands: ‘Universities are very concerned about this government’s plans. The bill is called “Balanced Internationalisation”, but this government is bluntly chopping away at universities and universities of applied sciences, also cutting €293 million from the budget for the intake of international students.’

  • Universities: ‘A blow to our students and staff’

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    Solid cuts to education and research in general agreement

    Today, the coalition-forming parties presented their general agreement. The cuts to education, research and innovation came as a major shock to universities. These plans will damage the future of young people and the Netherlands. Jouke de Vries, acting president of Universities of the Netherlands: ‘The cuts to education and science are a blow to our students and staff who are already under enormous pressure. Together with the sharp intervention in the international nature of universities, these cuts are harming our ability to provide quality education and carry out research. This does not match the coalition-forming parties’ ambition to strengthen the knowledge economy and earning power of the Netherlands. With these cuts, we are putting the future of our country's youth at stake.’

  • Letter Rectores Magnifici in Trouw

    Onderwijs

    Like many others around the globe, the Dutch universities are deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza and Israel. The horrific attack on 7 October, the uncertain fate of the Israeli hostages, the constantly escalating spiral of violence against the Palestinian civilian population: the images we are seeing shock us daily. We hope that it comes to an end very soon and that the good forces working for hope and peace may once again prevail, including in conflict zones elsewhere in the world.