Dutch Education: International Students' Choice

Modern education       
University and higher education of the Netherlands are famous in the world. Pedagogic methods help students analyse and solve practical problems enabling them to study and work independently. As a result, after their graduation, the students understand theory, can apply it creatively and can work anywhere in the world.

 

Each year, the government of Netherlands allocates a part of the budget for education. So far, nearly Eur2.5 billion (US$2.7 billion) has been spent on important research by universities, institutes and private enterprises. Special treatment is offered by the Dutch government to foreign students. While school fees are lower than those in New York, London, Paris or Beijing, 80 % of school fees are reduced for foreign students. National law and commitments by Dutch universities ensure equal value and diploma for all students. It helps promote cooperation between Dutch schools and foreign schools through student exchange and studies with third countries.

 

Another advantage is that 600 international courses are in English and 85 % of the Dutch speak English so that foreign students do not need to study Dutch language. The Netherlands has 60 specialized universities, three technical schools and 15 institutes with over 880 different courses. Teaching staff are professors and doctors of leading universities in Europe including Zeeland University in Vlissingen, one of the three universities specialized in economics, business management, international trade, information technology and maritime services.

 

The Netherlands – land of tulip flowers, windmills and canals - is no longer far away from Vietnam, especially Vietnamese students. Some 1,000 Vietnamese students are studying in the Netherlands. According to Ambassador Jozef Willem Scheffers, the Ministry of Education and related authorities of the Netherlands have helped Vietnam develop several education programmes with millions of Euro such as the Vietnam-Netherlands university cooperation programme and the Netherlands scholarship programme (25 scholarships a year). Many Dutch organizations have also helped Vietnamese education. In 2001, the International education cooperation organization NUFFIC together with the Vietnamese Ministry of Education organized a seminar and exhibition on post-graduate education in Hanoi. In August 2002, Vietnam was the only Asian country among 6 countries having special status in university cooperation with the Netherlands.

 

In early April 2009, Ton Duc Thang university received a delegation from Saxion University. Professor Doctor Lubbertus Willibrordus Velt, representing Finance and Accounting School, has signed a document recognizing the training programmes of Ton Duc Thang university on finance and accounting. Professor Velt also confirmed the cooperation of Saxion University to certify seven training programmes of Ton Duc Thang University. Accordingly, Ton Duc Thang University students

can continue their master degree program in Europe. The two universities have also agreed to increase the exchanges of lecturers and studies. For instance, Ton Duc Thang University teachers can send their studies to be published in Dutch university’s magazine and research of Saxion University will be translated into Vietnamese and published in magazine of Ton Duc Thang university.