Universities want to challenge government cuts

As recently as two years ago, in July 2022, universities concluded an administrative agreement with the Ministry of Education. “We all put our signature on it,” says spokesperson Ruben Puylaert of the Universities Association UNL.

Universities were to receive €200 million a year, but provide many things in return. They agreed with the minister on national cooperation, social safety, knowledge utilization, and much more. They were also required to provide permanent jobs. The money involved 1,200 appointments. “The universities energetically went ahead with that,” says Puylaert. “We are meeting our commitments.”

Cuts

But the new administration of PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB wants to take this money away. It is one of the cuts to knowledge, higher education, and research, in addition to cuts to the National Growth Fund, the long-term study penalty, and VAT on books. The difference to those other cuts is that there is an agreement. That creates obligations, universities believe. The government must act reliably and carefully. You cannot suddenly take away money two years after reaching such an agreement.

Coalition

The coalition parties apparently think otherwise. They have made agreements with each other and seem to have no intention of reversing them.

The new Minister of Education Eppo Bruins does not see any problems for the time being, either, even if young scientists may have to be fired again. He told the House of Representatives that there is simply a limit to the number of young people who can be employed at a university.