{"id":175953,"date":"2025-02-13T12:30:29","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T11:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=175953"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:41","slug":"van-schoten-language-test-for-non-native-education-must-be-scrapped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/02\/13\/van-schoten-language-test-for-non-native-education-must-be-scrapped\/","title":{"rendered":"Van Schoten: Language test for non-native education must be scrapped"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cuts in education and the law on internationalisation will have a significant impact on Erasmus University, that is clear. But how severe the impact will be, and where exactly it will be felt, is still difficult to predict. Vice-chair Ellen van Schoten is exploring various ways to improve the financial position of the university. \u201cWhen making drastic choices, we explicitly choose our people, not bricks.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Vice president of the Executive Board Ellen van Schoten.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlexander Santos Lima<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The exact amount that needs to be cut in the coming years is still unknown. \u201cThe story here is that there is still a lot of uncertainty\u201d, Van Schoten sighs. The unknown factor remains the Law on Internationalisation in Balance, the Wib. The consequences of this have yet to be factored into the university\u2019s budgeting, and its effects remain unclear.<\/p>\n

Just a few days ago, the cabinet proposal was amended because, at the request of the parliament, regions where the population is shrinking had to be spared. According to the new proposal, Rotterdam will most likely not be classified as a shrinking region, which would mean that the EUR will have to bear an even greater burden.<\/p>\n

\u2018Language test must be scrapped\u2019<\/h2>

The law proposal currently contains a language test for non-native education for existing programmes, criteria that decide which studies can remain and which can\u2019t. The universities want the test to be completely scrapped, says Van Schoten. \u201cGive universities control over which programmes remain and which are phased out, as this could help mitigate the effects of the Wib on universities.\u201d The EUR has several large, fully English-taught programmes, such as International Business Administration, the International Bachelor in Economics & Business Economics, and the International Bachelor of Psychology.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs things stand, the expected shortfall still falls within the ranges we had anticipated\u201d, Van Schoten remains optimistic. This range is between 15 and 75 million euros in total, with the vice-chair expecting that the 75 million figure is on the high side. \u201cMoreover, the peak financial impact of the Wib is not expected until around 2029, so we have time to implement measures.\u201d<\/p>\n

Already saved 25 million<\/h2>

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For 2025, approximately 25 million euros have already been saved through the cessation of several strategic projects and other measures. For instance, the IT department has reduced the number of software licenses, external hiring has been \u2018significantly limited\u2019, and the Eurekaweek has been shortened. Each faculty and support service is actively working on cuts. \u201cFor 2026, we will likely need to take additional measures\u201d, Van Schoten anticipates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Closing buildings<\/h2>

When painful choices need to be made, Van Schoten prioritises staff over facilities. \u201cIn that case, we explicitly choose our people, not bricks.\u201d<\/p>\n

One consequence of this is the intention to close five buildings on the Woudestein campus earlier than planned. The F-, G-, and Q-buildings, which house student accommodation, lecture halls, a meditation room, Erasmus Enterprise, Erasmus Magazine, and the faculty association EFR, will close at the end of 2025 and will then be demolished. The N-building, which is also used by Erasmus Enterprise, will likewise disappear. The V-building, originally intended as a temporary structure (located between Polak and Van der Goot), will close first: following its closure in August, it will be demolished.<\/p>\n

The early closure of these five buildings is expected to save 5 million euros, as maintenance, cleaning, and utility costs will no longer be necessary.<\/p>\n

More enterprising<\/h2>

Moreover, Van Schoten hopes to generate additional income on the balance sheet. \u201cWe do not want to be overly dependent on the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. We need to diversify our revenue streams.\u201d She sees opportunities for more contract research. \u201cWe are already an enterprising university, but we can definitely become even more entrepreneurial. There are opportunities in the field of AI. Rotterdam aims to become an AI city, and we have much to offer in terms of ethics. We can also collaborate well in this area with Erasmus MC, TU Delft, or other institutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Van Schoten also hopes to reach new target groups for additional revenue, such as alumni and professionals. \u201cWe are exploring how we can expand lifelong learning (for example, education for working individuals). We can also capitalise more on our alumni network by asking all our former students for a small annual contribution. Some universities, like Utrecht, already do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, she hopes for cooperation from the entire academic community. \u201cWe really need to do it together. No longer thinking: \u2018I have my own reserve in my department.\u2019 But thinking from the perspective of the university as a whole. Build your relationships further. If you receive a research assignment but lack the capacity or time, reach out to colleagues so they can take it on. We all need to pull together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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