Return of the Binding Study Advice, fewer programmes in English, limitation of the influx of foreign students, a fine for those studying beyond the study duration period (anyone who takes more than a year extra in the bachelor’s or master’s phase will have to pay 3,000 euro tuition fees), cutbacks in the sector plans (200 million less for academic research annually), as well as the Fund for Research and Science (200 million less annually) which pays for the starter and stimulation grants.
Einstein
This is a brief summary of the plans that need to be detailed by the new – still to be appointed – Minister of Education. Add to that an “alteration” (i.e. cutback) of a total of 2.1 billion in the Growth Fund, which is used, among other things, to pay for the Einstein telescope. The latter will not be jeopardised. Subsidies that have already been promised, are ‘safe’.
What all this will mean exactly for Maastricht University, is still unclear. First, the plans have to be made more definite. One thing is clear, said Letschert: “Less money is going to science, to basic research and innovation.”
Concerns
As for the plans to reduce the use of English in education and to lower the influx of foreign students, two measures that will be unfavourable for the very international UM: “Obviously, we are concerned about this. But at the same time, the Internationalisation in Balance Act (WIB) by current minister Dijkgraaf has not been declared controversial and that is good news. That will be dealt with in Parliament and provides for the unique position of border regions. For tailor-made solutions.” The bill also gives the university the possibility to halt further expansion in Maastricht. “We really want to reduce further growth, which is good for the balance, for the inhabitants in the city. We can use the bill as an instrument to curb the influx and pay more attention to the Dutch language.” Whether the bill will be accepted or not, there will certainly be a UM policy to promote the knowledge of Dutch. “We will do that irrespective of the rules from The Hague. We are not deaf to society’s sentiments.”
Fickle government
Letschert did not expect the new plans for the students. She feels that they have already had to deal with a “fickle” government for years: “First, there was the basic grant, which was subsequently abolished, but interest was zero; then interest had to be paid on their student loans after all. And now they have reintroduced the basic grant.”
The Binding Study Advice (BSA) is back on the agenda too. A measure which she feels is typically something for the institutes themselves. “It is a pedagogical assessment, which can vary per study programme. The government should not interfere in this. The autonomy of higher education is slowly but surely being limited by things like this. That is also a point of concern.”
In the time to come, UM will keep an eye on The Hague, it states with vigour. “We will keep a close check on the developments and make sure the Maastricht voice is heard.”