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Source published: 14 February 2025

Expert Meeting on the Legality and Feasibility of Proposed Cuts in Higher Education

The Committee on Education, Culture and Science (OCW) is organizing an expert meeting on Tuesday, February 18, about the legality and feasibility of the proposed cuts in the budget statements of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science for 2025.


Program February 18

The OCW committee has invited five experts to give a presentation. After the presentations, committee members will engage in discussions with the guests. The expert meeting will be led by the committee chair, Senator Theo Rietkerk (CDA).

The experts are:

  • Caspar van den Berg, Chair of Universities of the Netherlands (UNL);
  • Maurice Limmen, Chair of the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences;
  • Raymond Schlössels, Professor of Administrative Law at Maastricht University;
  • Douwe Dirk van der Zweep, Treasurer of the General Education Union (Aob);
  • Ad Verbrugge, Philosopher and Chair of Better Education Netherlands.

Practical Information

The meeting is from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. You can attend the expert meeting or follow it via livestream. More information about these options can be found here:


On the Budget Treatment

On January 31, 2025, the OCW committee received the note in response to the report (EK 36.600 VIII, E with attachment). These are the governments answers to the first round of written questions from the Chamber.

Contributions for the second report (a second round of written questions) can be submitted by members until February 25, 2025. The letter from the Minister of OCW regarding the implementation of the Bontenbal amendment on the position of the region for international students (EK 36.600 VIII/36.555, F with attachment) can be included.

The committee aims for plenary treatment of the bill on March 11, 2025, and voting on the same day as the Budgetary Statements for Health, Welfare and Sport 2025.

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Source last updated: 14 February 2025
Published on Openrijk: 14 February 2025
Source: Eerste Kamer