Dutch Colleges Take Action to Regulate Influx of International Students

The Vereniging Hogescholen, an association of Dutch universities, is taking steps to regulate the influx of international students in the future. The association’s chairman, Maurice Limmen, stated on the group’s website that the measure aims to maintain the balanced number of international students in higher professional education (HBO).

Current State of International Students in HBO

The association indicated that the number of international students in HBO is currently limited and balanced. To ensure this equilibrium is maintained, they have instituted measures to limit the number of students for certain courses.

However, the association emphasized that international students are still welcome, as they can be beneficial in certain circumstances. The Vereniging Hogescholen explained that there is a specific need for talent in some sectors and many regions, for instance, to address labor market shortages. International students can thus contribute to the Dutch economy and society.

Efforts to Enhance International Students Contribution

The universities are looking to further increase the contribution of graduated international students to the labor market. One of the methods they are considering is offering additional language training.

Addressing Accommodation Issues

In addition, the universities, in collaboration with municipalities and student housing providers, are actively seeking solutions to housing problems that have partly arisen from the influx of international students.

Future Plans and Relation to WIB

The universities’ plans for limitation are linked to the legislative proposal, ‘Internationalization in Balance’ (WIB). The Dutch government hopes that this bill will strengthen the benefits of internationalization and limit its downsides.

However, the association noted that the issues are not primarily with HBO courses: “The share of Dutch bachelor students in HBO is more than 90 percent”.

This move comes amidst ongoing discussions about the number of international students in the Netherlands, with concerns raised about overcrowded lecture halls, overworked teachers, insufficient student housing, and the overshadowing of the Dutch language.