What was your initial reaction to the tightening of the measures in this bill?

Edith Hooge: I find it disproportionate, this increased focus on ‘back to Dutch’. The UvA should be able to retain its solid international orientation as well as its roots in Amsterdam and the Netherlands, that's our strength.

Peter-Paul Verbeek: We initially welcomed the possibility of setting a numerus fixus on overly popular English-language tracks of some programmes. We had been asking for that for years. But it would have made sense if we had also been given time to show how effective that intervention is. The measures as they have now been proposed go much too far. Internationalisation is essential for the quality of our education and research, and for the Netherlands as a knowledge country. Tearing down the knowledge infrastructure will destroy our country's earnings model.

What consequences do you foresee for the UvA if the Balanced internationalisation Bill, including its tightened measures, is indeed passed?

Peter-Paul Verbeek: If the law is passed, it will have significant consequences for the UvA and the other Dutch universities. Minister Bruins’ increased measures prescribe that the Dutch language will become the norm in the Bachelor's and room for exceptions decreases. Moreover, the minister directly connects the drop in international intake of European students to major cutbacks.

Furthermore, via the ‘Toets Anderstalig Onderwijs’ (Foreign-Language Education Test) the minister claims control over the language of instruction of study programmes; in my opinion, an unprecedented breach of politics on the autonomy of higher education institutions.

Edith Hooge: These measures are expected to have a major impact on the intake of international students. UNL predicts a disproportionate drop in the number of European students nationwide. This completely unbalances internationalisation. On the contrary, these students are an enrichment, also for our university: their presence has a positive effect on the study climate.

Moreover, internationalisation contributes to the attractiveness of the Netherlands for top academics and to the Dutch economy. I have the impression that cabinet is not taking this into account.

When will our staff and students notice anything? If you are a student starting an English-language Bachelor's at UvA now, will you still be able to finish it?

Edith Hooge: Of course, students who started this academic year can complete their studies. Anyone who has started a programme at the UvA whose language of study is English can count on being able to finish the programme in this language. Although the cuts will start as early as 2026, we expect that the major effects will only be felt in the years after that.

What is the UvA doing to change politicians' minds?

Peter-Paul Verbeek: The current Schoof administration is not making it easy for us: major cuts have been announced and now this bill has also been tightened. Actions have been announced by WOinAction, LSVb, UNL and others. The UvA supports these initiatives and we will also be present here.

Public unrest over the plans is growing. Several large companies wrote an open letter to the government this week, expressing their concerns about the negative impact on research and innovation. Take Denmark as an example, where similar policies were reversed after only two years because of these impacts.

Edith Hooge: In addition, we are in close contact with the ministry. We are doing everything we can to limit the damage of the proposed measures and cuts.

What is your message to our international colleagues and students?

Edith Hooge: We notice that students and staff are angry and unsettled by the cabinet's plans. Please know that you are not alone: we are also very upset. Everyone is welcome at the UvA: Dutch and international students and staff. You enrich our university and the UvA cannot do without you.