Headlines

In time, the Heerlen Open University will be faced by a 15million budget cut by order of minister Hermans. Fifteen years agothe Open University was founded to provide long-distance educationfor people who want to receive higher education while alreadyadvanced in years. This target group is insufficiently served bythe Heerlen institution. Sixty percent of its students already hasa university or higher education certificate. Two years ago, the OUwas assigned a second task: supporting the entire higher educationsector in the field of educational reform. Although it is widelyacknowledged that the OUNL did well, especially in the area ofinformation and communication technology (ICT), this success is notenough reason to call off the intended budget cut.

Vagant

This week the Nuffic issued a guide for students planning to goabroad for study or practical traning. "Vagant, guide to studyingabroad", contains information on 32 countries, covering a number ofsubjects ranging from educational systems and admission proceduresto student housing conditions. Copies of Vagant are available fromthe Nuffic stands at the Scope on the Globe Fair, to be held in theJaarbeurs from 7-9 October, and also at the UU Service CenterInternational Relations (Bureau Buitenland). The information isalso available on the Internet: (http://www.nuffic.nl/vagant/).

Second year

If institutions want their students to finish their studiesquickly, they should pay special attention to their second yearstudents. According to the Amsterdam economist Dinand Webbink,these are the students who tend to take it easy. Last week hepublished his PhD thesis, in which he showed that first yearstudents work hard because they feel pushed by the grants systemand the threat of a negative study report. Once they pass the firstyear deadlines, students apparently think it is time to take abreak for a while.

Spar

On Thursday the Spar in the Uithof will open its doors. Withinthree days the former Via supermarket was changed into a Spar.There will be more B and C products on sale, so cheaper products.Many students complained about the high price level of the Via,which carried A products only. Especially those students residingin the Uithof will be pleased by the fact that at some point in thefuture thesupermarket will be open on Saturdays as well.