Universities asked to cut number of study programmes
In the ongoing effort to decrease their budgets, Flemish universities have been asked to come up with proposals to cut programmes with very few students or to collaborate on certain disciplines
Collaboration is key
The suggestion from the government to the universities to create proposals to achieve “a sober and transparent programme of courses” is part of the ongoing effort to cut the budget for higher education. Flemish education minister Hilde Crevits said that Flemish universities have already, through the Flemish Inter-University Council, released a broad proposal noting three possibilities.
According to De Standaard, which was able to see the document, the options are: unite small groups of students who follow similar courses; increase the collaboration between institutions and with institutions outside the region for specialised study programmes; and reduce the number of programmes on offer. The final option, said the document, is only feasible if it complies with the needs of the region and if it does not endanger Flanders’ research expertise.
More collaboration between institutions could mean specialised programme offered at fewer locations. “That mentality change is necessary,” said Anne De Paepe, rector of Ghent University. “We think it is a given that you should be able to find all imaginable programmes just a stone’s throw away, but it is not.”
Smaller institutions, meanwhile, have expressed concern that the discussion will lead to the cancellation of programmes with too few students. The higher education sector is due to present concrete proposals to minister Crevits in April.
Photo by Rob Stevens/KU Leuven
