According to the scientists, the science financier NWO and the universities structurally should each receive 500 million euros a year. They share this proposition with the Chang-committee, which came to the conclusion that a structural rise of the budget for academic research with one billion euros was necessary to keep academic research in the Netherlands at a competitive level internationally
The approach the Spinoza laureates - which include Ronald Plasterk, Frits van Oostrom, Robbert Dijkgraaf and UT professor Detlef Lohse - put forward is threefold. Next to more money for universities and the maintenance of an excellent but broad knowledge infrastructure, the secondary education system should get academically trained teachers once again. That is possible, they state, by better salaries and lessen the educational load.
According to Lohse, UT professor in physics of fluids, Dutch science needs `freely spendable resources.' `Coupling a lot of conditions is harmful, that will only lead to more bureaucracy.' He points to the fact that countries like Singapore, China and India are rapidly catching up. `In Singapore, the investments in fundamental research will triple over the next ten years. They have ambition. If we want to keep up, major investments are necessary.'
Rector Henk Zijm agrees with the proposal of the 44 top scientists. `Higher education is under pressure. For years we have just had to hand over more money, while expectations have risen. Half of the Dutch people must have a higher education in the future. That sounds good, but it's only possible if you're willing to invest.' If you want to compete globally, says Zijm, the educational system should be level. `You shouldn't take that lightly' in a knowledge economy, it's required. And you shouldn't economize on that,. We're losing ground.'
Just like the Chang-committee, the scientists also plead for a change in the way resources for research are allocated among universities.
