The future of internationalization is on the brink. In October the Dutch minister of Education Eddo Bruins announced additional rules to reduce Englishification in higher education and the influx of international students. This raises curiosity about how WUR’s international classrooms would look without the diversity of the international students.
It also poses a critical question: whom does the internationalization benefit, or who is it really meant for? From a business perspective, international students, particularly those from non-EU countries, are a financial boon for many Dutch universities. And the reality of the international classroom is that it broadens the educational approach so that local (Dutch) students get different international perspectives on global challenges: a good preparation for an international career. The current Dutch government is clear on its intention to rein in international inflow by limiting English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. Unfortunately, WUR has been reserved about offering its views on this..
By keeping quiet, WUR at least gives the appearance of supporting the government proposals
The silence doesn’t come as a surprise considering WUR is itself working on curbing the international inflow by imposing a compulsory English proficiency test on all applicants, with exemptions for those from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK and USA.
In keeping with its top rankings in several categories, particularly its having been the best University in the Netherlands for the 19th time in a row, WUR need to demonstrate openness and announce its position on the internationalization issue. Lack of openness simply creates an assumption that WUR is a ‘silent’ supporter of the Dutch government’s policy. WUR’s position has a great influence. In the past, we have witnessed Dutch farmers occupying the campus to protest against government plans to shrink the dairy sector to address the nitrogen crisis. WUR must be bold and proactive rather than passive and unheard. Regardless of whether WUR’s leans toward abolishing or towards rebalancing the internationalization strategy.
Joshua Wambugu (41), from Kenya, is a PhD candidate in the Marine Animal Ecology and Environmental Policy groups. He is a Social Safety Guide and he loves cooking, hiking and birdwatching.
