Dutch universities are 1.1 billion short
In order to draw attention to the structural underfunding of universities in the Netherlands, students, teachers and other stakeholders have sounded the alarm on 6 April. ‘We’re struggling to keep our heads above water’, was the message for The Hague.
In order to get the Netherlands back to a Normal Academic Standard, a structural investment of €1.1 billion extra per year is needed. On 6 April, the Alarm Day for Science, activities also took place in Maastricht and UM’s Executive Board wholeheartedly supports the initiative.
"This is the moment”
Professors Harro van Lente and Lies Wesseling took the lead in Maastricht for the 'Normal Academic Level' campaign. Van Lente explains why he was doing so and what he himself feels about the pressure on academic education.
"This is the moment, with the current coalition negotiations, to let The Hague know that the academic education system is struggling, to say it mildly. An inventory by Price Waterhouse Coopers, conducted at the request of the ministry, confirms the structural underfunding. That 1.1 billion euros on an annual basis is needed for more lecturers, for example. In the past twenty years, the funding a university receives per student has decreased by 25%, while the number of students has grown by almost 70%. As department chair, I hear how my colleagues have to make strange choices. For example: am I going to invest my time in giving decent feedback to students on the last course I gave, or am I going to spend that time on the new course I am setting up? You should be able to do both, of course."
This is the moment, to let The Hague know that the academic education system is struggling
On the other hand, the professor sees a lot of time and money flowing away in the ‘overblown accountability culture’, for example in the form of teaching visitations, but also the low success rates for requested research grants. "We keep each other very busy in Dutch science in the wrong way, and that puts people in a tight spot. It is time for a Normal Academic Level."
'We’re struggling to keep our heads above water’
Antonia Waltermann
Teacher Foundations and methods of Law | Faculty of Law
"Having to abolish a very useful mid-term review for students"
Pieter Plessis
Teacher Philosophy | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
"Working 6 days on a 4 day contract"
Yoram Carboex
Teacher History | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
"Not being able to give students decent feedback"
John Parkinson
Professor of Social and Political Philosophy
"Students being taught by the least experienced"
Also read
-
Maze of three million test tubes
To generate research data, researchers collect blood, urine, saliva, or other bodily fluids from as many participants as possible. They could try to store this material themselves, but problems can easily occur. This is where biobanks come in.UM news
-
Gut bacterium may help maintain weight loss
Researchers at Maastricht University and Wageningen University & Research have made a promising discovery in the fight against obesity. A new clinical study shows that a specific gut bacterium may help limit weight regain after dieting.UM news
-
CS@Work Pitch & Matching Events 2026: From First Impressions to Matches
The Pitch Event on 17 April featured 16 projects from 12 organisations, presented through short, focused pitches that gave students a clear overview of available opportunities. Breaks allowed informal conversations, and DACS alumni shared insights from their current roles.
