The first proposition - the UT is an international university - is quickly brushed aside by the students. `We feel discriminated against,' is one of the first replies. `Books are in Dutch, teachers speak bad English and exams are offered both in Dutch and in English. That is unfair. English is also my second language. The UT should fight against this.'
The discussion has been launched and a spate of complaints follows. `If a student asks a question during a lecture, the teacher often replies in Dutch because “that is not relevant to you.” That really makes me feel ignored,' a Chinese student adds. The required pre-master programs are not safe either. `They are only offered in Dutch. That means twice the work: both translating and studying. That's not what I'm paying for.'
The students blame the education system. `It's completely focused on Dutch students and we have to find a way to fit in there.' They are also unhappy about the available information. `The faculty websites are in Dutch. I didn't even know when my lectures were starting.' The students are frustrated and complaining seems to get them nowhere. `I almost feel unwelcome. Only with a lot of effort did I manage to get the statements I needed to renew my residence permit. They don't know anything.' Even getting an ICT account and a student card takes too long for the students' tastes, and the willingness of UT staff to help them - with a few exceptions - leaves much to be desired.
Zijm responds: `The path is longer than expected. I am shocked to hear of all these problems. We really do want to be an international university. The problems mentioned absolutely must not be permitted to continue.' The rector calls on the students to send a detailed report of their complaints to the International Office ([email protected]) `That way I hope to get good insight into the problems students are facing, because this will certainly be continued.'
Trans. Jeroen Latour
