Minister Letschert: internationalisation does not harm Dutch interests

Universities and universities of applied sciences are once again being given the freedom to recruit international students in a targeted manner. According (in Dutch) to Minister Letschert, there is ‘no conflict between internationalisation and Dutch interests’. Whereas the previous government had planned to make cuts, the new coalition has opted for a different course and is making €154 million available for a ‘talent strategy’.

Part of this budget is intended to attract international talent to sectors facing staff shortages. In doing so, the ‘balance’ must be maintained, so that benefits do not lead to problems with accessibility or capacity.

Good accessibility

Institutions will be given greater autonomy to determine, on a programme-by-programme and region-by-region basis, where international students add value and where limits are needed, for example through a numerus clausus. Growth in one sector may mean restrictions in another.

The PVV political party fears Dutch students will be displaced, but according to Letschert, there is no evidence to support this. Higher education is generally easily accessible; only 5% of students are unable to start their first-choice programme.

However, the government does want greater control over internationalisation through administrative agreements, including on intake, language proficiency, retention rates and accommodation. Universities had previously promised a maximum of 16,766 international undergraduate students. Without a national language test, financial control remains the main means of control: institutions receive funding up to a set number of students. (HOP, NB)