The protesters in the garden of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) may remain there over the Whitsun weekend on the condition that the protest remains non-violent and that the previously made agreements are kept. To date, the activists are abiding by these conditions.
The protesters have been asked to take measures for their own safety. For its part, the university is providing fire safety and adequate 24-hour security. The faculty building itself is closed. Students and staff will be informed of this in more detail via FASoS communication channels.
Hunger strike
Five protesters have been on hunger strike since Thursday. The university administration is concerned about the effects for both the activists involved and the impact this has on people outside the encampment.
At the same time, a hunger strike is a means of protest people can choose on their own responsibility and based on the autonomy over their own bodies as part of exercising their right to protest. The university assumes that those on hunger strike and the people around them are doing everything for their safety and health. The university offers (medical) assistance as well.
Maastricht University's Executive Board, in close consultation with the deans, is developing a human rights due diligence assessment tool to help make an informed assessment of whether, and if so to what extent, our partners with whom we have an administrative partnership are involved in violations...
In the morning of Wednesday, 22 May, a group of student protestors occupied a Maastricht University (UM) building at Grote Gracht. This prompted the university to engage in discussions with the protesters, some of whom had also set up a tent camp behind the building the previous week.
Due to the occupation of some of the FASoS buildings, FASoS will be closed until further notice. There will be no teaching on-campus today and we are looking into whether classes can move online. Our students will be informed about the closure of our buildings and the consequences this has on...
UM is still in dialogue with the protesting students that are involved in today's occupation of the FASoS building. The aim is and remains 'de-escalation', and the safety of everyone involved comes first. At the same time, we want to ensure that we can fulfil our primary task, education and research...
Technology has the potential to improve the quality of medicine and healthcare while also making it more personal and sustainable. But to reach this potential, healthcare professionals and researchers need multidisciplinary training. New programmes like the Bachelor in Regenerative Medicine and Technology and the Master in Health and Digital Transformation teach students to work across disciplines and collaborate with social partners.
UM is in talks with the CSC, the organisation that provides scholarships to Chinese PhD students, about continuing the cooperation. Both parties believe that this cooperation is valuable for PhD students and for the institutions.
Manon Weusten is Maastricht University’s 100,000th alum. The South Limburg native with an international outlook, a love of her region and a passion for lifelong learning talks about UM’s contribution to her career path—and her aversion to attention.