Education minister focuses on internationalisation at UM
Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven visited Maastricht on Monday 16 April to find out more about internationalisation and language policy at UM and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. She will use the input in a vision document she is working on. It will touch on several issues, including the use of English in higher education, a topic which has been in the news a lot lately and has led to strong debates in the Lower House of Parliament.
During her working visit to the ‘most international university in the Netherlands and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Van Engelshoven first met with a delegation of students and lecturers, as well as members of the University Council. Next, she spoke with administrators, including UM President Martin Paul, his counterpart at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences Luc Verburgh and government representatives including the King's Commissioner Theo Bovens and Maastricht alderman Bert Jongen. The discussions focused on the international classroom and the labour market, as well as the importance of internationalisation for the region and the country.
Added value
The minister indicated that internationalisation can have added value for higher education, but that educational quality, accessibility and diversity are paramount. To further develop her vision, the minister will speak with the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH), the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the student unions and Nuffic. She will also await the results of several ongoing studies, including those being carried out by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research, before drafting her vision document.
Also read
-
UM seeks new balance between the university and student associations
Maastricht University is suspending its relationship with student associations Tragos and Circumflex until further notice. Discussions with the boards of these associations have revealed that agreements outlined in the Code of Conduct have not been upheld. Experience from recent years shows that...
-
Municipality of Heerlen, Parkstad Urban Region and UM invest 6 million in collaboration
Heerlen grants a one-time contribution of €1,478,050 to Maastricht University as part of the Regio Deal application ‘Fundament onder UM-onderwijs in Heerlen’. This amount comes from the Fonds Economische Structuurversterking (FES). The funding will help establish university education facilities in...
-
Maastricht protest against budget cuts education and research
In times like these, where budget cuts threaten education and research, we are proud of our community. Despite the cancellation of the nationwide protest in Utrecht, students and staff took to the streets of Maastricht to let their voice be heard in a peaceful protest.
