The Dutch government has announced the largest financial cuts to higher education in the Netherlands in 40 years. The cuts, which affect university education in multiple systematic areas, could amount to upwards of €1 billion over the next four years. The measures have sparked concern and debate amongst academics, politicians and economic leaders about the potential brain drain and potential decline in the Dutch knowledge economy.
The most striking and significant measures relate to the international student budget, including €239 million worth of cuts and a reduction in the international student population by 33,000. This policy was first proposed by former Education minister Robbert Dijkgraaf through the Internationalisation in Balance Act earlier this year. This act is being pushed forward by the Education minister in the newly formed government, the NSC’s Eppo Bruins. The bill will attempt to reduce the ‘pressure on the quality of education and its accessibility for Dutch students, overcrowded classrooms and high workloads for tutors. In certain areas, moreover, the growing prevalence of courses taught in foreign languages, especially English, is supplanting Dutch as a language of teaching and research’. In its policy document, the current coalition argues that the level of international ‘knowledge and study migration must be in proportion to what the Netherlands can socially sustain’, and that the decisions taken surrounding university funding cuts are ‘sharp choices to maintain healthy government finances’.
However, criticism of the bill has been strong and swift, with the most vociferous condemnation naturally coming from the university sector. Edith Hooge, president of the Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam, stated that ‘we’ll try to limit the impact as much as possible. This is [a] short-sighted policy and we will continue to oppose it’. Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), the umbrella organisation of Dutch universities, accused the government of ‘putting universities in direct trouble’ with the proposed cuts, while the University of Twente stated that the cuts will affect not just universities but society as a whole.
A repeated critique is that reduction in funding for international study will lead to the diminishment of the so-called Dutch knowledge economy. Given the cuts will drastically affect research funding within Dutch academia, experts argue that this could ultimately harm the Netherlands’ position as a global leader in technological and intellectual innovation. Without a financially strong research sector backed by international co-operation, argues the Knowledge Coalition, an organisation comprising scientists and entrepreneurs, the Netherlands will lose the ‘knowledge and talent [necessary] for solving the complex societal challenges facing the Netherlands, [which contribute] to strengthening the economy’. Casper van der Berg, president of the UNL, concurs: ‘It is an illusion to think you can cut €1 billion from scientific education, research, and innovation without damaging the earning power of the Netherlands, the resilience of our society, and important innovations that make our society healthier and safer.’
The debate about the anglicisation of Dutch academia and university life has existed for several years now, and concerns about the encroaching dominance of the English language are legitimate. However, it is clear that the desire to reduce the number of international students so drastically is part of the government’s wider migration policies. The Geert Wilders-led coalition has declared what it terms an “asylum crisis” and is seeking to impose harsh restrictions on migration. These include a ban on all new applications and potentially forcibly deporting people without residency permits.
The effect of these proposed cuts on international students and academia generally will take years to fully understand and process. This could be a generational moment in which the Netherlands ceases to be active in global knowledge networks and at the forefront of knowledge transfer and application, drifting towards a form of isolationism. However, what is clear is that the current government, despite long and tough coalition negotiations, is determined to create a radical new social contract for Dutch society.
Written by James Turrell