The government wants to limit the intake of international students and renew the importance of Dutch in academia. If that happens, UM, with a high proportion of English-language programs and many internationals, may well close quite a few doors. Besides, it would also affect the entire Limburg region. A study, initiated by UM and others, shows that about 4500 jobs would be lost in the region; the Limburg economy would shrink by about a billion euros.
For months, there have been ongoing lobby attempts by higher education institutes (led by President Rianne Letschert), municipalities, the Province and companies in Limburg. They continue to highlight their central request: tailored solutions. An argument in favour has now also reached the House of Representatives in the form of BBB party member Claudia van Zanten. She submitted a motion last week, because limiting the intake of international students would have “a negative impact” on the quality of life, the wider prosperity, and the innovation and earning capacity of the region, she wrote.
The motion, that would be subject to a vote last Tuesday in the House of Representatives, has been put on hold. Perhaps the BBB will await the Education minister's detailed plans.
Fellow party member Elianne Demollin-Schneiders, representative for the Province of Limburg, added her own contribution in tv programme Buitenhof on Sunday, 1 December. According to her, Limburg cannot be compared to the Randstad. It is very normal to cross the border for travel, work, shopping, or even studying, she said. “We have a euregional labour market; we don’t consider people from the euregion foreigners.” Seventy-six percent of Limburg borders other countries, “it is crucial that measures are tailored appropriately”, says Demollin.
It is not just the limited intake of international students that worries UM. There are also fears surrounding the wider proposed cuts to universities of applied sciences, universities and scientific research, totalling 1 billion euros. The parliament is intense negotiating. Opposition parties call the government’s plans “unacceptable” and want to block at least some of the cuts in the Senate.
Wendy Degens