Update Executive Board: Assessment of non-Dutch-taught programmes (TAO) scrapped for existing programmes
The Schoof cabinet has presented its budget. As expected, higher education is facing severe cuts. In the coming period, the Executive Board will regularly look at the consequences of what it deems an irresponsible policy.
Caretaker Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Eppo Bruins, plans to remove the assessment of non-Dutch-taught programmes (Toets Anderstalig Onderwijs, TAO) for existing degree programmes from the Balanced Internationalisation Bill (Wetsvoorstel Internationalisering in Balance, WIB). In a letter to the House of Representatives published on 3 July, Bruins expresses support for the universities’ plans to manage internationalisation through self-governance, a position also supported by a broad majority in the House.
However, Bruins has set some conditions. For example, an inventory must be made of all current degree programmes taught in a language other than Dutch, as defined by the WIB. The minister expects to submit a memorandum of amendment to the WIB to the House by the end of 2025. The Council of State, Senate and House will then need to review and respond to the revised proposal.
The plan to scrap the TAO is welcome news as it would have led to deeper cuts across many more degree programmes. For our university, self-governance means that the English-taught Psychology track will be phased out no earlier than September 2027 (see our updates from 15 April and 24 June for more information).
We understand that this represents a great sacrifice for our Psychology programme and would like to express our sincere appreciation for this commitment and for the constructive dialogue with both administrators and staff. We are working closely with the participation bodies to ensure a careful transition.