Education minister's parliamentary letter: threat to education and region draws nearer

In the parliamentary letter, the minister is pushing for the strictest possible adherence to, and return to, Dutch as the language of instruction for all undergraduate courses in the Netherlands. It seems ignorant of the fact that higher education in the Netherlands is an international sector. This also applies to Maastricht University, an international university with a unique profile, strongly anchored in an international region. The diversity of our community – nota bene: both students and staff - is of great value to our university and our region. Precisely because we are an international university, we can continue to play our role as an engine for socio-economic development in the region.

It was already clear what a rigorous halt to the influx of international students would mean for the region: if all undergraduate courses at Maastricht University and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences had to be conducted in Dutch, it would lead to the permanent loss of some 4,500 jobs and cause Limburg’s economy to decline by almost € 1 billion during this government's term. This is according to calculations by the research firm Panteia, commissioned by Maastricht University and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.

In his letter, the minister does leave room for consultation. He says he is aware that attracting international talent remains necessary, also in border regions. Together with partners inside and outside Limburg, UM will do its utmost in the coming period to convince the minister of the necessity of this and of what is needed to achieve this: appropriate measures and policies that match regional circumstances.