Recap: Maastricht University strikes against government cuts (liveblog)
On Wednesday, 16 April, it was Maastricht University's turn to join the Dutch universities' relay strike against the government cuts. Take a look at the highlights and read about what happened.
16 april 2025
What is happening today in Maastricht?
The strike is organised by the trade unions FNV, AOb and MOSA (student union). Here is an outline of the programme:
12:00 – 12:30
Find each other and go together to Vrijthof
12:30 – 13:00
Music and free fries @ Vrijthof
13:00 – 14:00
Speeches and music @ Vrijthof
14:00 – 14:45
March through the city centre
14:45 – 15:30
Strike market @ Vrijthof
For the full details and helpful information go to www.supportscienceandeducation.com
Also read the news article about the Dutch universities' self-regulation plan for international student enrolment.
17:00: We did it! Maastricht and Limburg defended education today!
WOinActie Limburg shares the following message with the community:
THANK YOU FOR MAKING HISTORY TODAY!
Dear WOinActie Limburg Community,
1,500 strong at the Vrijthof! As Janosch Prinz perfectly summarised: "Solidarity between students, scientific and support staff, the education community came together, voices loud and clear. Connection with OU and Zuyd was also great."
From morning teach-outs to our powerful march through the city, we showed The Hague that Limburg's education sector stands united against these harmful cuts.
President Rianne Letschert's words ring true: "If you do not sow, you will not reap." Today was just the beginning of our collective resistance.
Thank you for standing up for higher education in our region!
16:00: Photo report of the Strike Market
The Strike Market is about to close up for today. How was the experience of participants?
Click on the icon to view photos.
15:00: The Strike Market is open!
There are now plenty of activities taking place at the Vrijthof. These activities aim to showcase the value of scientific education and research to citizens of Maastricht and Limburg.
Join now! Here is the programme of the market.
14:45: Time to march through the city!
The march is underway. The crowd has left Vrijthof and is making its way through the city center.
This action brings academics in close contact with society and its citizens. The message: our region's economy is at risk! Maastricht University is the largest employer in Limburg. Citizens hold also a stake in defending Zuyd Hogeschool, the Open Universiteit and all other educational institutions against these cuts!
Click on the icon to view photos.
13:30: Representatives from trade unions, political parties, and the UM take the stage
"We care about the future. We want to let the government that we should all care about the future and stop the cuts." - Pamela Habibovic, Rector UM
"Very glad that there are a lot of people here. It is great to see people from Maastricht University but also other institutions. It is very important to show solidarity with each other." - Maarten van Wesel, University Council member UM
"Universities educate not only doctors, engineers and scientists. They also educate humanists who help all citizens find orientation in a complex society. That is why our efforts today are also important." - Tullio Viola, Assistant Professor at FASoS (UM)
Click on the icon to view photos.
13:15: The crowd at the Vrijthof
13:00: The main programme begins
The protestants are welcomed by Janosch Prinz from WOinActie.
12:45: Gathering at the Vrijthof
The rain does not stop us!
Click on the icon to view photos.
12:30: Everyone to the Vrijthof!
Strikers and citizens are now gathering at their buildings and preparing to join the main protest at the Vrijthof square. SBE, LAW, FASoS, FHML, FPN, FSE and other units are about to begin their journey. See you soon at Vrijthof!
Prepare to sing “Eppo Ciao” with the Maastricht University Choir!
12:00: Academics give lectures at schools
This morning, academics visited elementary and secondary schools today to teach the next generations! The budget cuts are not only a threat to jobs in higher education. The cuts put in danger the capacity within the Netherlands to provide high-quality education across different levels.
The following teach outs took place:
- At the elementary school in Amby, Prof. Dr. Lisa Brüggen talked about consumer behaviours and how marketing can trick us.
- Dr. Erik Vrij taught the elementary schools about regenerative medicine. Children learned how they can use their ‘superpowers’ to get healthy again in his talk “No education, no superpowers.”
- At secondary school Porta Mosa College, Prof. Dr. Harro van Lente gave a talk called “New technology, do I even want that?”
- Dr. Peter van Ruitenbeek taught secondary school Porta Mosana and the elementary school in Wyck about our brains in his talk “Where would I be without my brain?”
11:00: Faculties and service departments are preparing to strike
The people at the Inner City are gathering. The posters are ready... colleagues and students are preparing and rallying their peers at their own faculty or unit. The people at Randwyck are also joining of course, but that's not all! Staff and students from Zuyd Hogeschool and Open Universiteit are invited to join us. They are preparing to join at Vrijthof!
10:30: Today is not just about UM, but also about Limburg and education in the Netherlands
You are still in time to convince colleagues and students to join. Does somebody need convincing? That is why WOinActie created a video series addressing the key questions:
- What's happening today on Strike Day? (in Dutch)
- Why should everyone care?
- What has happened since the budget cuts were announced?
- What do these cuts mean for our society? (in Dutch)
- How do universities contribute to the economy?
- What happens to regional economies when their educational institutions are weakened? (in Dutch)
- Why is internationalisation important? (in Dutch)
- How will the budget cuts impact technological innovation? (in Dutch)
- Should I worry about consequences for participating?
- What can you do today to fight against the budget cuts?
You can find more useful information at www.supportscienceandeducation.com
09:00: Maastricht's turn in relay strike
Today, Maastricht University joins the relay strike of Duch universities. Employees and students will lay down their work and studies to protest against the government cutbacks in higher education. In the previous days, more than 2.500 concerned academics and citizens called on the whole community to join the strike by signing an open solidarity letter.
Stay updated by following this liveblog. Share also your own perspective in Bluesky or your favorite social platform. Use #WOinActie in all platforms!
Follow the UM Bluesky account: @maastrichtu.bsky.social
Follow the relay strike account: @woinactielimburg.bsky.social