Students interrupt opening of academic year at UvA
The academic year started in the Netherlands, accompanied by lots of speeches. The opening of the academic year at the UvA was interrupted by student protests.
The students continue to demand that the UvA becomes more democratic and are still angry about the eviction of the Roeterseilandcampus this spring. The protest was short-lived, however. After a few chants of ‘Our UvA’, the students left. In a press release, student party Humanities Rally claimed responsibility for the act of protest. ‘The UvA board must oppose further cutbacks’, it stated. ‘The demanded “efficiency cuts” will cause irreparable damage to education.’
Afterwards, UvA president Geert ten Dam gave a speech about the relationship between the UvA and the city of Amsterdam, and how this relationship could be improved. Ten Dam argued for a sustainable knowledge coalition to promote the effectiveness of municipal policy. Former mayor Jozias van Aartsen was next. He, too, spoke about the role of the university within the city. ‘Sharing perspectives brings people together.’
At Utrecht University, the opening theme seemed to be work pressure. ‘People work all evening and weekend, unpaid’, said rector magnificus Henk Kummeling to local news broadcast RTV Utrecht. More money should come from the government, he said.
