Yes! I will write this column in English, not because I cannot write in Dutch, but because the purpose of journalism is to communicate and reach as many people as possible among your stakeholders. That is why, in technical studies, we teach in English. If I write a simple equation, everyone with a technical background would understand it, regardless of where they come from, their religion, or their gender: that is inclusive technical communication.
And yet we have now reached a sad moment in Dutch political history, where a visionless, populist government is beginning to implement its racist agenda by insisting that universities teach in Dutch, aiming to exclude others from the most fundamental right of intellectual development: education. Is there any content-driven reason for this? Perhaps for medical studies or education strongly tied to Dutch language and culture, but for technical sciences, absolutely not. Some may say: 'Dutch students should not have to learn in English at a Dutch university.' I would argue that Dutch students who struggle with English in 2024 do not belong in technical universities until they are proficient enough in the language.
Moreover, from an ethical point of view, a wealthy country like the Netherlands, which is so prosperous partly because it has exploited many other countries—like most European nations—shouldn’t we help less wealthy countries develop? I would argue that we should, and that education is the cheapest, most effective, and environmentally friendly way to spread wealth and knowledge to humanity.
So, should we, as critical academics, simply implement an action imposed without thought by a populist government that goes against the academic principles of reason, democratic education, and ethical responsibility? I do not think so. That is why I will certainly not follow any imposed rule requiring me to teach technical subjects in Dutch, and I will continue teaching in English at all costs. I hope many colleagues, not only at the University of Twente but throughout the country, will do the same in protest against these nonsensical actions. Farmers have misbehaved to reach their environmentally damaging goals, and they succeeded. Shouldn’t we, as academics, take action against such absurd rulings? I definitely will!
