Last Monday, 26th of November, was marked by a large protest on the “monstrous” pending budget cuts imposed by the new Dutch goverment. The main message of the protest, the calls to cancel these cuts, was aimed at the main proponent of the cuts Eppo Bruins, minister of Education, Culture and Science. The budget cuts are accompanied by a controversial “fine” of 3000 euros per year for students who take longer than planned to finish their higher education. The cuts also aim to reduce the number of international students joining higher education in the Netherlands and will affect international scientific collaborations.

Many Leiden University and LUMC students (right photo below), as well as many LUMC employees, were there to attend the protest and subsequent march. The march passed by the Ministry of Education building as well as the temporary location of the Tweede Kamer, both located in the Hague. Among the attending LUMC employees were PhD students and postdoctoral researchers of the C.J. Gorter MRI Center (left photo below).

For an in-depth report of the Leiden University in Dutch, click here.