Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) has hit back at a plan by the Netherlands Ministry of Education to cut English-speaking classes in higher education institutions.
Chair of the EUR’s Executive Board, Ed Brinksma said the move “causes a lot of questions and discomfort for our international students and staff, to whom we attach great importance, and for the international character of our education”.
Minister for Education, Robbert Dijkgraaf’ announced the plan in a Parliamentary debate on the internationalisation of higher education, during which MPs said they were concerned about the large influx of international students.
“This leads to overcrowded lecture halls and additional pressure on the housing market. In addition, the majority of international students do not stay in the Netherlands to work after graduation,” Mr Dijkgraaf said.
“Therefore, I want to limit the influx by requiring universities to teach at least two-thirds of courses in Dutch.”
He said he wanted degree programs that taught in another language to be assessed for social relevance, as well as requiring foreign students to take lessons in Dutch outside the curriculum.
Mr Brinksma (pictured) said if implemented, the plans could have significant consequences for the university’s international students and staff.
“EUR attaches great importance to the international character of its education. We believe that a truly international classroom brings tremendous value to our students, and that should not be lost,” Mr Brinksma said.
“Our international students are an integral part of our community. We will do everything we can to influence the further development of the Minister’s plans.”
The Hague, 19 June 2023
