Nibs

More than 400 foreigners have benefited from a special regulation that allows university-educated, foreign professionals from non-EU countries to accept jobs with Dutch companies without having to deal with any of the time-consuming, bureaucratic procedures normally associated with applying for a work permit in the Netherlands. To be fast-tracked, however, ‘knowledge workers’ must earn at least 45,000 euro per year, or 33,000 euro per year if they are younger than 30 years old. Those who qualify then receive a working and residence permit for five years. The employers of these foreign knowledge workers must also give certain guarantees to the government. Employers need to have special a permit, which so far have been offered to approximately 450 companies and organizations. The regulation took effect in October. This government initiative is intended to promote Holland’s knowledge economy.
Water poisoning

At the University of Groningen student society, Albertus Magnus, a student lost consciousness after drinking too much water during ‘training’ game for new members of the society’s bar committee. “Every time I lost a round in the game,” the student said, “I had to drink a glass of water in one gulp. I believe I drank about 6 liters of water.” The student ended up in intensive care at a local hospital and was unconscious for 48 hours. “We are going to investigate,” a police spokesman said. “We must determine if this is punishable offense and if the student wants to file charges.” People who drink too much water disturb the natural balance in their bodies. Normally, water poisoning (hyponatremia) happens to athletes who sweat a lot during competition and then drink liters of water too quickly.
Most beautiful

TU Delft Aerospace Engineering student Berend Rijpstra (19) finished third in ‘Student of the Year’ the beauty contest, sponsored by the website studenten.net. If he had won, Rijpstra would have been given an eight-day trip to Egypt and a one-year contract with an Amsterdam casting agency. The prize for the best-looking male student went to Bart Mol, a student from Amsterdam.
Top earner

TU Executive Board President Hans van Luijk earns the highest salary of all presidents of Dutch universities and Polytechnic schools, according to a survey by Dutch weekly Intermediair. Van Luijk earns 246,000 euro per year, and he will also receive a bonus of 14,000 euro. In comparison, Amandus Lundqvist, the President of TU Eindhoven, earned a salary of 172,000 euro in 2004 and a bonus of 28,000 euro.
Koornbeurs renewed

According to the original plan, it was supposed to take three months to renovate the Koornbeurs. Now however an extra two months has been added. The restoration of the Koornbeurs began last week. The building is undergoing a complete restoration, including the facade, rear, roof and windows. During the restoration, the restaurant (eettafel) will remain open, as will the popular disco Triangle and Underground.
Cancelled conference

Turkey’s Bosphorus University cancelled a conference that offered a platform to academics questioning a national policy that denies any World War I genocide of Armenians. The conference was organized as Muslim Turkey faces mounting pressure from the European Union to accept that mass killings of Christian Armenians starting in 1915 was genocide. Turkey’s government vehemently rejects claims that 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered. The European Union wants Turkey improve ties with neighboring Armenia before it begins EU entry talks.

Fast-track

The Immigration and Naturalization Department (IND) is pleased with the fast-track visa processing procedures for knowledge workers. More than 400 foreigners have benefited from a special regulation that allows university-educated, foreign professionals from non-EU countries to accept jobs with Dutch companies without having to deal with any of the time-consuming, bureaucratic procedures normally associated with applying for a work permit in the Netherlands. To be fast-tracked, however, ‘knowledge workers’ must earn at least 45,000 euro per year, or 33,000 euro per year if they are younger than 30 years old. Those who qualify then receive a working and residence permit for five years. The employers of these foreign knowledge workers must also give certain guarantees to the government. Employers need to have special a permit, which so far have been offered to approximately 450 companies and organizations. The regulation took effect in October. This government initiative is intended to promote Holland’s knowledge economy.
Water poisoning

At the University of Groningen student society, Albertus Magnus, a student lost consciousness after drinking too much water during ‘training’ game for new members of the society’s bar committee. “Every time I lost a round in the game,” the student said, “I had to drink a glass of water in one gulp. I believe I drank about 6 liters of water.” The student ended up in intensive care at a local hospital and was unconscious for 48 hours. “We are going to investigate,” a police spokesman said. “We must determine if this is punishable offense and if the student wants to file charges.” People who drink too much water disturb the natural balance in their bodies. Normally, water poisoning (hyponatremia) happens to athletes who sweat a lot during competition and then drink liters of water too quickly.
Most beautiful

TU Delft Aerospace Engineering student Berend Rijpstra (19) finished third in ‘Student of the Year’ the beauty contest, sponsored by the website studenten.net. If he had won, Rijpstra would have been given an eight-day trip to Egypt and a one-year contract with an Amsterdam casting agency. The prize for the best-looking male student went to Bart Mol, a student from Amsterdam.
Top earner

TU Executive Board President Hans van Luijk earns the highest salary of all presidents of Dutch universities and Polytechnic schools, according to a survey by Dutch weekly Intermediair. Van Luijk earns 246,000 euro per year, and he will also receive a bonus of 14,000 euro. In comparison, Amandus Lundqvist, the President of TU Eindhoven, earned a salary of 172,000 euro in 2004 and a bonus of 28,000 euro.
Koornbeurs renewed

According to the original plan, it was supposed to take three months to renovate the Koornbeurs. Now however an extra two months has been added. The restoration of the Koornbeurs began last week. The building is undergoing a complete restoration, including the facade, rear, roof and windows. During the restoration, the restaurant (eettafel) will remain open, as will the popular disco Triangle and Underground.
Cancelled conference

Turkey’s Bosphorus University cancelled a conference that offered a platform to academics questioning a national policy that denies any World War I genocide of Armenians. The conference was organized as Muslim Turkey faces mounting pressure from the European Union to accept that mass killings of Christian Armenians starting in 1915 was genocide. Turkey’s government vehemently rejects claims that 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered. The European Union wants Turkey improve ties with neighboring Armenia before it begins EU entry talks.