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25 December 2025
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Student Life & Society 31 March 2022

Fundraising to combat helplessness

A group of teachers and students set up a fundraiser for Ukraine. ‘I would feel very bad if I couldn’t do anything.’ “The anger I have inside is nearly killing me” says Ukrainian first-year Communication Sciences student Lev Medin (20)….
Student Life & Society 25 March 2022

‘I didn’t think people would be as welcoming as they are’

LONGREAD – At home in Kyiv, Taisiia Kosenok could do nothing more than scroll through news about the war on her bed all day. Until a letter from her university gave a way out, as VU lecturer Kilian Wawoe offered…
Student Life & Society 25 February 2022

Is World War III imminent? Wolfgang Wagner doesn’t think so

Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Professor of International Security Wolfgang Wagner shares his take on the worrying situation. “I did not expect Putin to go this far.”
Student Life & Society 17 February 2022

Dutch universities receive information request regarding support for Israel

A research institute advocating for the rights of Palestinians wants Dutch universities to provide documentation regarding their ties to “organisations that propagate support for the state of Israel”. The universities have asked for more time to process the request.
Student Life & Society 3 February 2022

Students submit Nobel Peace Prize nomination

A group of VU students has carefully considered who they would like to nominate for the Nobel Peace Prize. They recently submitted their official nomination for the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA). The students take classes given by…
Student Life & Society 21 December 2021

Strict lockdown for higher education, again

Again, universities and universities of applied sciences had to close their doors. The cabinet announced a lockdown last Saturday evening. This will last until after the Christmas holidays and maybe even longer.
Student Life & Society 14 October 2021

Universities show teeth at threats and intimidation

In the battle against threats and intimidation experienced by academics, the Dutch universities are jointly setting up a reporting and advice centre: WetenschapVeilig. They also intend filing police reports more often.
Student Life & Society 1 September 2021

‘Netherlands apparently places little value on Afghan lives’

The Netherlands is abandoning the people of Afghanistan, according to two Afghan VU students. The Dutch government’s negligence has left them feeling bitter. “We’ve been betrayed, plain and simple.”
Student Life & Society 20 August 2021

House of Representatives and minister clashing over diversity plans

In the view of the VVD, inter alia, outgoing Minister Van Engelshoven is imposing her will too strongly on universities with regard to making the academic world more diverse and more inclusive. The feelings aroused by this political hot potato…
Student Life & Society 11 June 2021

One in every ten female students has been raped during her studies

Around one in ten female students have been penetrated without consent at some point during their time at university, Amnesty International reports. One percent of male students report non-consensual penetration.