Usually, I don't like to get into political debates, but then I remembered that quote from Edmund Burke, and I feel I have to say something about this, as a foreign employee at TU Delft | Aerospace Engineering for almost nine years, and as someone has lived in Europe for almost 18 years since leaving my home country.
First, I appreciate that the author who brought this to the table for discussion. But, I feel it is a very uneasy article to digest, especially during the time when we are fighting so hard for diversity and inclusion at TU Delft.
It's shocking and makes you wonder since when - "open the door to students from all over the world" - has become a bad thing. Like many of my colleagues at AE, I would not have known TU Delft and stayed all these years for researching and teaching, if not for its international students, reputation and inclusive environment.
I understand that it's not nice for those students, both Dutch and international, who want to study at AE but cannot have a place. I have been rejected by the universities when I was young, and that feeling sucks.
But what we should be doing now is finding ways to make education more accessible through innovation and technology. Not just closing the doors! This nearly-"nationalistic" sentiment at the university is toxic. In addition, you really need to come to AE, see how we learn, talk to students and researchers to understand why it is not just that simplistic.
After all, as scientists, we are here also to advance the knowledge of humanity. It could be done in our home countries or other countries, but for now we chose TU Delft. Isn't that something everyone should be proud of?
I also don't believe that "Springboard" is necessarily a bad thing. I wish I could equip my students with all the skills they need to excel wherever they choose, rather than constrain them here because they lack other options. And I do tell them before they depart that if they wish to pursue research in Aerospace in the future, our doors remain open.
The author also seems to benefit from experiences in the USA and Germany before TU Delft. Why not encourage students now to explore elsewhere first too?
Coming back to the topic about admission, if we stop the diversity and inclusiveness at the start, literally before the first year of bachelor studies, where do you think this will lead us in the next decades? A second or third-tier university with even more struggles to find diverse talents for researching and teaching.
Are you really ready for that alternative reality? Because once you are there, it won't be easy to go back.
For my international colleagues, here is the English version of the original article:
https://lnkd.in/ePEpfbCF
Waarom biedt de TU Delft eigenlijk bacheloropleidingen aan in het Engels, vraagt dap hartmann zich af. Het zet de deur open voor studenten vanuit de hele wereld ten koste van Nederlandse studenten.
![Springplank]()
Springplank
https://delta.tudelft.nl
