We received a question from our counterparts in Groningen: would Observant like to participate in conducting a survey among international students and university staff in the Netherlands? The main question to be answered: do you still feel at home here in the face of growing criticism from political parties regarding the increase in international students and English-taught bachelor’s programmes?
My initial reaction was positive. Yes, great, this is relevant to an article we’re publishing this week – are UM students and staff concerned about the national election results as the call for Dutch-taught bachelor’s programmes grows louder? It also ties into comments made during University Council meetings in the previous academic year, about international employees feeling increasingly out of place at UM because of the anti-internationalisation discourse. It would be good to have data on that.
Short-lived
But my enthusiasm was short-lived. My colleague WD immediately and rightly wondered about the practicality. How would we manage to get this long list of questions answered by some 400 people (Groningen’s target), within a two-week timeframe, knowing that both students and staff are quite tired of surveys?
Not feasible
We quickly agreed that it wouldn’t be feasible to visit all UM buildings to find 400 international students and employees willing to fill in the survey. (UM regulations prevent Observant from sending a mass email asking people to participate, unlike our Groningen counterpart Ukrant.) Besides, we’d already decided on a different approach weeks ago. We’ve interviewed nine employees and students about this political debate, which could have significant consequences for UM. After all, what if Dutch does have to become the main language of instruction in many bachelor’s programmes? But while our interviewees have their concerns, the majority hope and expect that Maastricht will be granted exceptional status if the new government decides to crack down on the use of English in higher education.
Polling station
We will report back to you once the results of the Groningen survey are in, just before 22 November. On that day, election day, one of our junior journalists will visit a polling station to interview a UM student issuing ballot papers and counting the votes in the evening. Just a lucrative side job, or more than that?