‘The minister is not honouring the agreements of the ‘Bestuursakkoord hoger onderwijs en wetenschap’ (‘Administrative Agreement on Higher Education and Science’) that was concluded in 2022 and stipulated that the national government would make 300 million euros available annually for starter and incentive grants,’ says Alexandra van Huffelen, president of Radboud University’s Executive Board. ‘Universities have set to work on this and have invested in various researchers and projects. Now it appears that this funding is being reversed and the agreement is being cancelled unilaterally. This is unacceptable. Radboud University therefore wants this decision to be submitted to the court and reviewed for legality.’
Months of resistance
Resistance against the substantial education cuts has been heard for months. For example, at the end of November, 25,000 people gathered at the Malieveld with a clear message to politicians: Don't do it! In Nijmegen, thousands of people also demonstrated against the cutbacks during a relay strike. Despite this, the Dutch Senate voted in favour of the cabinet decision on 8 April. Van Huffelen: ‘Many people, including our students, staff, businesses and senators of the Senate itself, have fought to reverse the cabinet's plans. I am grateful for that. The fact that the Senate voted in favour is a huge blow, but it does not mean that the fight ends here.’
Major savings task
Radboud University is currently facing a difficult task. Due to declining student numbers and increasing costs, the university must significantly reduce costs and use its resources more efficiently on a structural basis. The government's budget cuts are an additional burden. The savings task is a major one and affects all units. At the moment, the university is working on a review of the various operational units and the Executive Board is in talks with the faculties about long-term cost-cutting measures. The aim is to minimise the impact on education and research.
More information
A web page has been set up for staff and students with the latest news about the cutbacks.
Also read the response from Universiteiten van Nederland (Universities of the Netherlands): https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/actueel/nieuws/onderwijsbezuinigingen-aangenomen-universiteiten-naar-de-rechter