Independent journalism about VU Amsterdam | Since 1953
22 January 2025
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Student Life & Society

Society 29 June 2023

House of Representatives wants MeToo education in student introduction weeks

In the opinion of the Dutch House of Representatives, it would be good for students to be educated about inappropriate sexual behaviour as early as the introduction weeks. Staff would also benefit from a course.
Students 2 June 2023

Many students consider academic workload too high

Almost four in ten students consider the academic workload too high. At the research universities the workload is a little higher than at the universities of applied sciences, according to the answers given in the National Student Survey (NSE).
Opinion 31 May 2023

‘Every programme needs a climate course’

Jorim Tielbeek, lecturer in neuroscience, believes that all higher education programmes should offer climate education. To promote his cause, he teamed up with Scientist Rebellion to stage an eye-catching event in the New University Building in early May.  Why should…
Society 3 May 2023

Help! I have a smelly colleague

We spend more time with our coworkers than with our families, so what to do when one of them smells bad? ‘Addressing someone in the wrong way can lead to difficult situations.’
Other universities 1 May 2023

UvA suspends lecturer Laurens Buijs

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) has suspended the controversial lecturer Laurens Buijs after he called a Professor of Sociology and Gender & Sexuality Studies a dangerous extremist on Twitter.
Students 24 April 2023

Election results: four new parties in University Student Council

With five seats, the SRVU remains the biggest party, but als ChangeVU, De Vrijmoedige Studentenpartij, BAAD and the Liberal Student Party were elected. The turnout was a bit higher this year, maybe thanks to all the free grilled cheeses handed…
Job market 21 April 2023

Unions head to VU to protest against high workload

The universities are still not doing enough to combat the high workload, say the trade unions. And things are not moving swiftly with regard to permanent contracts either. They are going to protest next Tuesday. On 25 April, the unions,…
Politics 20 April 2023

Government investigates potential risk posed by Chinese PhD candidates

Chinese PhD candidates attending Dutch universities on a scholarship sometimes pass on sensitive information to China, according to various media reports. After months of delay, Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf announced he is launching an investigation. Replying to written questions from…
Politics 13 April 2023

Government wants more permanent contracts: will lecturers benefit?

Fewer flexible contracts, more security for staff… This week, the government put forward a plan to reform the labour market. What will that mean for higher education? After lengthy discussions with trade unions and employers, the government has sent the…
Students 30 March 2023

The hurdles of learning Dutch

Learning Dutch can be a vital step in connecting to Dutchies, two internationals agree. But between expensive courses and Dutch people constantly switching to English, the process doesn’t exactly make them feel like tasty chickens.