These are the conclusions from an online poll conducted by Newcom Research & Consultancy for the UT-Nieuws. At a recent lunch with rector Henk Zijm, international students complained about the poor international climate at the UT. The fact that so many UT students expected international students to feel unwelcome surprises Karin Paardenkooper, the new head of the International Office. `Apart from my surprise at the question even being asked, I'm even more surprised at the answer. I will look into it.'
There is also much to gain when it comes to integration of the international students. One-third of the students and almost 20 percent of the employees disagree that international students integrate well in the university. On the other hand, 25 percent and 40 percent, respectively, do think that international students have been integrated properly. Both staff (64 percent) and students (60 percent) feel partly responsible for helping international students integrate on campus. In the meantime, 37 percent of the students feel their fellow students from across the border should adapt, while that percentage is much lower for staff members. Only 26 percent of that group agrees. Staff members (72 percent) also generally attach more importance to working at an international university than students (55 percent).
Many Dutch and international students complain about the English skills of teachers. Remarkably, almost 80 percent of staff members consider their English good enough to deal with international students.
Both groups agree that English does not have to become the primary language throughout the university to become a true international university. Only seventeen percent of the students think otherwise, as well as eighteen percent of staff members. Students generally do not mind lectures being in English because of one international student: 72 percent have no problem with that, 22 percent are annoyed by it.
Almost 40 percent of students count international students among their friends, 60 percent interact with international students. 44 percent sees no obstacles for contact. However, 25 percent mention the close groups of international students as a barrier to contact.
Notable is that the vast majority (71 percent) of UT staff thinks that UT research is much more international than its education. Both groups immediately discard the statement that it is impossible to make Twente an international university. Only five percent of students and four percent of staff agree.
Karin Paardenkooper is happy with the fact that the majority (86 percent of students and 85 percent of staff members) think an international university in Twente is possible. `That basically means that eight out of ten people I meet agree with me on this. That offers a very positive image of the future of internationalization of the UT.'
Trans. Jeroen Latour
