Dutch-Led Research Team Makes Important Antibody Discovery in Corona Fight
Hailed as "Groundbreaking" by Scientists
A Dutch-led team of researchers made headlines around the world this week with the news that they have discovered a human antibody that can block the coronavirus. The discovery has been hailed as "groundbreaking" by media outlets and seen by scientists as an "initial step" in the fight against COVID-19. The research was published in the Nature Communications journal on Monday.
Researchers from Utrecht University, Erasmus Medical Center and Harbour BioMed (HBM) reported that they have identified a fully human monoclonal antibody that prevents the virus from infecting cultured cells.
The antibody used in the work is described as "fully human", allowing development to proceed more rapidly and reducing the potential for immune-related side effects. Conventional therapeutic antibodies are first developed in other species and then must undergo additional work to "humanise" them. The antibody was generated using Harbour BioMed’s H2L2 transgenic mouse technology, Utrecht University said on its website.
“This research builds on the work our groups have done in the past on antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV that emerged in 2002/2003,” said Berend-Jan Bosch, Associate Professor, Research leader at Utrecht University, and co-lead author of the study. “Using this collection of SARS-CoV antibodies, we identified an antibody that also neutralises infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cultured cells. Such a neutralising antibody has the potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance or protect an uninfected individual that is exposed to the virus.”
Wittenborg Reopening All Locations on 2 June
Wittenborg Cautiously Reopening Locations on 2 June Following Ease in Dutch COVID-19 Restrictions
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-reopening-all-locations-2-june.htm
From 2 June Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences will cautiously reopen all its locations in the Netherlands for appointment-only meetings and for students who wish to use its library or internet facilities, following a gradual ease in COVID-19 restrictions announced by the Dutch government Wednesday evening. Students and staff are strongly cautioned to adhere to those regulations that will remain in place such keeping a distance of 1,5m and newly issued ones like wearing a mask when using public transport from 1 June.
Wittenborg's chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, said all of its locations in the Netherlands – Apeldoorn and Amsterdam – will reopen on 2 June, but students who wish to see lecturers or support staff will have to make an appointment. In the meantime, classes will continue online until the end of the academic year in July, as the last block (7) will already be underway. For the first time Wittenborg's annual Summer Graduation Ceremony which was scheduled for 10 July, has been cancelled, and will be replaced by an online version.
Facemasks - people urged to avoid wearing medical-use facemasks
Only on public transport will the wearing of facemasks become compulsory, and Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, has emphasised that the public is not allowed to wear medical masks – which gives the best protection – because these are reserved for those who work in the care sector which is still experiencing a shortage. From 1 June everyone on public transport will nonetheless be obliged to wear a mask. If not, you risk being fined.
Family, Friends and Colleagues – How Wittenborg Vice-President Stays Positive
"I Have Never been Bored in my Life and I don't Intend to Start Now"
Today we speak to Dr Jan-Albert Dop, Wittenborg's Vice-President: Corporate Affairs, as part of our series of interviews with staff and students on how they are adjusting to life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How do you stay positive?
The fact that I am with Myrna, my companion of over 50 years. We have a lot of experience working together as a business, so a home office situation is nothing new. What more? I have two children, each with a partner and two children, who are coping well, and who we see online and in person from a distance fairly regularly. We have brothers and a sister, friends and neighbours we are in contact with, here and all over the world. I always expect the worst but am absolutely delighted if and when things turn out to be a little less bleak than I thought they would be. Other than that, I'm always a very positive person. I love life and all it has to offer us. I have never been bored in my life, and I don't intend to start now.
What are some of the changes you had to make to accommodate the new reality?
Nothing really, I've always had my own study, and I have computers, laptops and tablets all over the place.
How are you spending your free time in self-isolation?
As always, cooking, reading, listening to a vast range of music, watching films, drama and manga, going cycling, walking, and when it's just a little warmer, I'll be getting back into my kayak on a regular basis.
One Student's Social Distancing Diet Tips
Good for Mind, Body and Wallet
A pandemic changes a lot of people’s way of life. We are inside our houses most of the time to avoid unnecessary contact with others to keep ourselves safe. But apart from social distancing, are we keeping our body systems safe? This, of course, has a lot to do with our meal consumption, that whether we like it or not has changed too. Our access to most of the food we consumed before the pandemic struck is now limited.
Sylvia C.A. Effendi, an IBA student of marketing and communications at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, adjusted a few things in her diet in order to get herself into a healthier way of eating, besides being easier on the pocket, while working from home over the past three weeks. One of Sylvia's favourite meals is breakfast. For this she opts for fruit, müesli and nuts mixed in yoghurt with a bit of honey.
Yoghurt, Müesli, Nuts and Fruit Mix
Daily vegetable and fruit intake
Cook batches of vegetable soup or stew that could last a few days. When there is too much, the freezer will keep them safe and the stove can reheat them pretty quickly.
Dried and canned products
Canned fish like tuna and mackerel are very rich in protein, vitamins and minerals; they work well for making sandwiches, pasta or as part of cooked meals. Rice and couscous are handy and price-friendly. These things keep a long time in storage too.
Healthy snacking
If you have not been snacking healthily, perhaps this is the perfect time to get used to it. Snacks can vary from nuts and dried fruits, to boiled eggs, yoghurt or cheese.
First Online Open Day Resounding Success
Almost 80 Prospective Students from around World Tune in for Online Session
https://www.wittenborg.eu/first-online-open-day-resounding-success.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' first ever online Open Day was a resounding success this week with almost 80 prospective students from around the world checking in to participate in the 3-hour session. Attendees were from cities and countries as diverse as London, Nigeria, Indonesia, Georgia, Abu Dhabi, Zambia, Bangladesh, Iran, Dubai, Muscat, Syria and a few South American countries.
The session, led by Wittenborg Student Registrar Florian Oosterberg, was marked by a distinct tone of optimism from prospective students, despite the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Oosterberg was assisted by Wittenborg's Manager of Admissions and External Relations, Yanti Setiawan. Current MBA student Fisayo Olajide helped answer prospective students' questions, along with bachelor's degree students Aleksandre Meparidze and Allegra Zazzaro.
Oosterberg and Setiawan gave a comprehensive information session on Wittenborg, how it was founded, which programmes are on offer, admission requirements and fees. They also addressed concerns about how COVID-19 might affect admission requirements, such as proof of proficiency in English, and students were eager to know when borders will be opened again for travel.
Usually Wittenborg's Open Days are held at its locations in Apeldoorn and Amsterdam, but they have now also been moved online like all of the university's classes in line with advice from the Dutch government.
Wittenborg's Karel van der Zande One of Few Not Working from Home
Last Man Standing: Wittenborg's Karel van der Zande One of Few Staff Members Not Working from Home
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborgs-karel-van-der-zande-one-few-not-working-home.htm
Student housing coordinator, Karel van der Zande, is that rare phenomenon – a staff member of Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences who is not working from home, but instead still goes to the office just about every day. The nature of Van der Zande's work is such that it cannot really be done from home – doing maintenance jobs at Wittenborg facilities, occasionally assisting students who are staying in the university's student accommodation, picking up mail, visiting the warehouse and various other tasks.
"The first thing I do when I get to the office is to read my mail. Sometimes, if I am by myself at Spoortstraat – one of Wittenborg's two campus buildings in Apeldoorn – it feels like I'm in a desert! Not a soul in sight." At the other building, Aventus, there are a handful of other people – usually no more than 4 or 5 at a time. More than a month ago, Wittenborg moved all its classroom teaching online – something both students and staff took a while to get used to.
Due to Travel Restrictions, the Last International Student from Overseas Arrived a Month Ago
Usually one of Van der Zande's jobs is to welcome and meet new international students as they arrive and see to it that they are settled into the accommodation. But due to travel restrictions around the world, the last student he welcomed from overseas was a month ago, on 22 March, coming from Nigeria.
Online Learning: A Chance to Prepare Ourselves for the Future
"Virtual Classes Are No Less Interesting – Thanks to Our Lecturers"
https://www.wittenborg.eu/online-learning-chance-prepare-ourselves-future.htm
Like Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, its partner in Munich, New European College, has transitioned to become a virtual campus (temporarily) and all lectures are being conducted online. Two of its students, Lovinder Singh from India and Alina Davydova from Russia, spoke to the news team via video about embracing change in uncertain situations and adapting to their new online environment.
Davydova, a bachelor's student, says: "At first I was a bit upset because I really like our classes. However, virtual classes have lots of advantages. First of all, our future will involve technologists. That means, we have to work with customers from all over the world via videocall. It's not about good or bad – we just have to learn how to do it better.
"So right now we are getting lots of experience in this, learning new skills in how to do it. I would also like to thank all of our teachers for motivating us. They're making no less interesting, useful and productive classes for us. We still do lots of experiments and interacting with each other. We are looking forward to coming back to our classes again. Stay calm, stay positive and see you soon!"
Verzoek van Wittenborg aan ministeries om periode zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden te verlengen.
PERSBERICHT
Apeldoorn, 27 april 2020.
Verzoek aan ministeries om periode zoekjaar* hoogopgeleiden te verlengen.
In een brief gericht aan de minister van Justitie en Veiligheid, de minister van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, en de minister van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid, zal het bestuur van Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences verzoeken het zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden dat momenteel 1 jaar bedraagt, te verlengen naar een periode van 2 jaar. Een kopie van de brief zal gestuurd worden naar de Minister-President, vindt u hier.
Geen eerlijke kans door coronacrisis voor de internationale buitenlandse talenten.
Het bestuur vindt het verontrustend dat veel afgestudeerden die op het moment in hun zoekjaar zitten door de huidige coronacrisis hun banen verliezen.
Hetzelfde geldt voor de groep internationale (niet-EU) studenten die zich in de laatste fase van hun opleiding bevinden en door aannamestop bij bedrijven geen baan kunnen vinden.
Het gevolg hiervan is dat deze groep door de huidige omstandigheden geen eerlijke kans krijgt een baan te vinden in Nederland.
Om de negatieve effecten van de coronacrisis voor deze groep te beperken is aanpassing van de huidige regelgeving noodzakelijk.
Economische schade, korte termijn denken en veel talent gaat verloren.
Bedrijven willen de hoogopgeleiden graag aannemen, maar willen door de onzekere tijden vaak wachten tot de crisis achter de rug is en de economie weer aantrekt.
Echter hebben de internationale talenten door de huidige geldigheidsduur van het zoekjaar, Nederland tegen die tijd al moeten verlaten.
Wittenborg Alumnus Leads Petition Group to Safeguard Graduates Prospects
Wittenborg Alumnus Leads Petition for Dutch Government to Extend "Zoekjaar" - WUAS writes to the Government Urging them to Take Action
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-alumnus-leads-petition-group-safeguard-graduates-prospects.htm
When Indian student, Varsha Punj, graduated from Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences in July 2019, life was good – she soon started at a large retail firm in Amsterdam and her prospects of getting a permanent position looked fine. That was, until the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Netherlands in March. She soon found herself unemployed, like hundreds of other freshly graduated internationals. Punj is now driving a campaign appealing to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to extend the 12-month orientation year (zoekjaar), afforded to international graduates, which allows them to look for a job.
Wittenborg writes to the Ministers of Justice, Education, Economic Affairs and the Prime Minister
Wittenborg has written to the government to request them to extend the so called orientation year for current graduates and those about to graduate. In the letter, Wittenborg's President Peter Birdsall highlights the importance of safeguarding the position of the knowledge migrants in the Netherlands, as these graduates will be hard needed once the pandemic has receded and the economy bounces back as hard as current experts are predicting. A copy of the letter can be found here.
IELTS Launches Online Test for Prospective International Students
Netherlands Weighs up Whether New Online IELTS Test Meets their Requirements
https://www.wittenborg.eu/ielts-launches-online-test-prospective-international-students.htm
For prospective international students who are unable to do an English proficiency test at an IELTS test centre due to COVID-19-related restrictions, IELTS has now launched IELTS Indicator, an online English language test. A press statement on the matter was released over the weekend.
The Netherlands is considering whether this will meet their own requirements for international students.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for the Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education has indicated it is looking into whether the IELTS Indicator would also be suitable for international students applying to the Netherlands. Most students do an IELTS or TOEFL at a test centre in their home country as part of the admission process to study abroad, but as many of these centres around the world closed, students found themselves stuck.
The secretary of the commission, Jolanda van den Bosch, said it is, nonetheless, encouraging to see that the test providers have set to work on an alternative to the existing tests in the short term. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences was one of the institutions that petitioned the commission to temporarily lift the requirement that international students prove they have sufficient command of English by submitting the results of a normal IELTS/TOEFL language test as part of their application to study in the Netherlands.
Dutch-Led Research Team Makes Important Antibody Discovery in Corona Fight
Hailed as "Groundbreaking" by Scientists
A Dutch-led team of researchers made headlines around the world this week with the news that they have discovered a human antibody that can block the coronavirus. The discovery has been hailed as "groundbreaking" by media outlets and seen by scientists as an "initial step" in the fight against COVID-19. The research was published in the Nature Communications journal on Monday.
Researchers from Utrecht University, Erasmus Medical Center and Harbour BioMed (HBM) reported that they have identified a fully human monoclonal antibody that prevents the virus from infecting cultured cells.
The antibody used in the work is described as "fully human", allowing development to proceed more rapidly and reducing the potential for immune-related side effects. Conventional therapeutic antibodies are first developed in other species and then must undergo additional work to "humanise" them. The antibody was generated using Harbour BioMed’s H2L2 transgenic mouse technology, Utrecht University said on its website.
“This research builds on the work our groups have done in the past on antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV that emerged in 2002/2003,” said Berend-Jan Bosch, Associate Professor, Research leader at Utrecht University, and co-lead author of the study. “Using this collection of SARS-CoV antibodies, we identified an antibody that also neutralises infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cultured cells. Such a neutralising antibody has the potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance or protect an uninfected individual that is exposed to the virus.”
Wittenborg Reopening All Locations on 2 June
Wittenborg Cautiously Reopening Locations on 2 June Following Ease in Dutch COVID-19 Restrictions
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-reopening-all-locations-2-june.htm
From 2 June Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences will cautiously reopen all its locations in the Netherlands for appointment-only meetings and for students who wish to use its library or internet facilities, following a gradual ease in COVID-19 restrictions announced by the Dutch government Wednesday evening. Students and staff are strongly cautioned to adhere to those regulations that will remain in place such keeping a distance of 1,5m and newly issued ones like wearing a mask when using public transport from 1 June.
Wittenborg's chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, said all of its locations in the Netherlands – Apeldoorn and Amsterdam – will reopen on 2 June, but students who wish to see lecturers or support staff will have to make an appointment. In the meantime, classes will continue online until the end of the academic year in July, as the last block (7) will already be underway. For the first time Wittenborg's annual Summer Graduation Ceremony which was scheduled for 10 July, has been cancelled, and will be replaced by an online version.
Facemasks - people urged to avoid wearing medical-use facemasks
Only on public transport will the wearing of facemasks become compulsory, and Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, has emphasised that the public is not allowed to wear medical masks – which gives the best protection – because these are reserved for those who work in the care sector which is still experiencing a shortage. From 1 June everyone on public transport will nonetheless be obliged to wear a mask. If not, you risk being fined.
Family, Friends and Colleagues – How Wittenborg Vice-President Stays Positive
"I Have Never been Bored in my Life and I don't Intend to Start Now"
Today we speak to Dr Jan-Albert Dop, Wittenborg's Vice-President: Corporate Affairs, as part of our series of interviews with staff and students on how they are adjusting to life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How do you stay positive?
The fact that I am with Myrna, my companion of over 50 years. We have a lot of experience working together as a business, so a home office situation is nothing new. What more? I have two children, each with a partner and two children, who are coping well, and who we see online and in person from a distance fairly regularly. We have brothers and a sister, friends and neighbours we are in contact with, here and all over the world. I always expect the worst but am absolutely delighted if and when things turn out to be a little less bleak than I thought they would be. Other than that, I'm always a very positive person. I love life and all it has to offer us. I have never been bored in my life, and I don't intend to start now.
What are some of the changes you had to make to accommodate the new reality?
Nothing really, I've always had my own study, and I have computers, laptops and tablets all over the place.
How are you spending your free time in self-isolation?
As always, cooking, reading, listening to a vast range of music, watching films, drama and manga, going cycling, walking, and when it's just a little warmer, I'll be getting back into my kayak on a regular basis.
One Student's Social Distancing Diet Tips
Good for Mind, Body and Wallet
A pandemic changes a lot of people’s way of life. We are inside our houses most of the time to avoid unnecessary contact with others to keep ourselves safe. But apart from social distancing, are we keeping our body systems safe? This, of course, has a lot to do with our meal consumption, that whether we like it or not has changed too. Our access to most of the food we consumed before the pandemic struck is now limited.
Sylvia C.A. Effendi, an IBA student of marketing and communications at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, adjusted a few things in her diet in order to get herself into a healthier way of eating, besides being easier on the pocket, while working from home over the past three weeks. One of Sylvia's favourite meals is breakfast. For this she opts for fruit, müesli and nuts mixed in yoghurt with a bit of honey.
Yoghurt, Müesli, Nuts and Fruit Mix
Daily vegetable and fruit intake
Cook batches of vegetable soup or stew that could last a few days. When there is too much, the freezer will keep them safe and the stove can reheat them pretty quickly.
Dried and canned products
Canned fish like tuna and mackerel are very rich in protein, vitamins and minerals; they work well for making sandwiches, pasta or as part of cooked meals. Rice and couscous are handy and price-friendly. These things keep a long time in storage too.
Healthy snacking
If you have not been snacking healthily, perhaps this is the perfect time to get used to it. Snacks can vary from nuts and dried fruits, to boiled eggs, yoghurt or cheese.
First Online Open Day Resounding Success
Almost 80 Prospective Students from around World Tune in for Online Session
https://www.wittenborg.eu/first-online-open-day-resounding-success.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' first ever online Open Day was a resounding success this week with almost 80 prospective students from around the world checking in to participate in the 3-hour session. Attendees were from cities and countries as diverse as London, Nigeria, Indonesia, Georgia, Abu Dhabi, Zambia, Bangladesh, Iran, Dubai, Muscat, Syria and a few South American countries.
The session, led by Wittenborg Student Registrar Florian Oosterberg, was marked by a distinct tone of optimism from prospective students, despite the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Oosterberg was assisted by Wittenborg's Manager of Admissions and External Relations, Yanti Setiawan. Current MBA student Fisayo Olajide helped answer prospective students' questions, along with bachelor's degree students Aleksandre Meparidze and Allegra Zazzaro.
Oosterberg and Setiawan gave a comprehensive information session on Wittenborg, how it was founded, which programmes are on offer, admission requirements and fees. They also addressed concerns about how COVID-19 might affect admission requirements, such as proof of proficiency in English, and students were eager to know when borders will be opened again for travel.
Usually Wittenborg's Open Days are held at its locations in Apeldoorn and Amsterdam, but they have now also been moved online like all of the university's classes in line with advice from the Dutch government.
Wittenborg's Karel van der Zande One of Few Not Working from Home
Last Man Standing: Wittenborg's Karel van der Zande One of Few Staff Members Not Working from Home
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborgs-karel-van-der-zande-one-few-not-working-home.htm
Student housing coordinator, Karel van der Zande, is that rare phenomenon – a staff member of Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences who is not working from home, but instead still goes to the office just about every day. The nature of Van der Zande's work is such that it cannot really be done from home – doing maintenance jobs at Wittenborg facilities, occasionally assisting students who are staying in the university's student accommodation, picking up mail, visiting the warehouse and various other tasks.
"The first thing I do when I get to the office is to read my mail. Sometimes, if I am by myself at Spoortstraat – one of Wittenborg's two campus buildings in Apeldoorn – it feels like I'm in a desert! Not a soul in sight." At the other building, Aventus, there are a handful of other people – usually no more than 4 or 5 at a time. More than a month ago, Wittenborg moved all its classroom teaching online – something both students and staff took a while to get used to.
Due to Travel Restrictions, the Last International Student from Overseas Arrived a Month Ago
Usually one of Van der Zande's jobs is to welcome and meet new international students as they arrive and see to it that they are settled into the accommodation. But due to travel restrictions around the world, the last student he welcomed from overseas was a month ago, on 22 March, coming from Nigeria.
Online Learning: A Chance to Prepare Ourselves for the Future
"Virtual Classes Are No Less Interesting – Thanks to Our Lecturers"
https://www.wittenborg.eu/online-learning-chance-prepare-ourselves-future.htm
Like Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, its partner in Munich, New European College, has transitioned to become a virtual campus (temporarily) and all lectures are being conducted online. Two of its students, Lovinder Singh from India and Alina Davydova from Russia, spoke to the news team via video about embracing change in uncertain situations and adapting to their new online environment.
Davydova, a bachelor's student, says: "At first I was a bit upset because I really like our classes. However, virtual classes have lots of advantages. First of all, our future will involve technologists. That means, we have to work with customers from all over the world via videocall. It's not about good or bad – we just have to learn how to do it better.
"So right now we are getting lots of experience in this, learning new skills in how to do it. I would also like to thank all of our teachers for motivating us. They're making no less interesting, useful and productive classes for us. We still do lots of experiments and interacting with each other. We are looking forward to coming back to our classes again. Stay calm, stay positive and see you soon!"
Verzoek van Wittenborg aan ministeries om periode zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden te verlengen.
PERSBERICHT
Apeldoorn, 27 april 2020.
Verzoek aan ministeries om periode zoekjaar* hoogopgeleiden te verlengen.
In een brief gericht aan de minister van Justitie en Veiligheid, de minister van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, en de minister van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid, zal het bestuur van Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences verzoeken het zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden dat momenteel 1 jaar bedraagt, te verlengen naar een periode van 2 jaar. Een kopie van de brief zal gestuurd worden naar de Minister-President, vindt u hier.
Geen eerlijke kans door coronacrisis voor de internationale buitenlandse talenten.
Het bestuur vindt het verontrustend dat veel afgestudeerden die op het moment in hun zoekjaar zitten door de huidige coronacrisis hun banen verliezen.
Hetzelfde geldt voor de groep internationale (niet-EU) studenten die zich in de laatste fase van hun opleiding bevinden en door aannamestop bij bedrijven geen baan kunnen vinden.
Het gevolg hiervan is dat deze groep door de huidige omstandigheden geen eerlijke kans krijgt een baan te vinden in Nederland.
Om de negatieve effecten van de coronacrisis voor deze groep te beperken is aanpassing van de huidige regelgeving noodzakelijk.
Economische schade, korte termijn denken en veel talent gaat verloren.
Bedrijven willen de hoogopgeleiden graag aannemen, maar willen door de onzekere tijden vaak wachten tot de crisis achter de rug is en de economie weer aantrekt.
Echter hebben de internationale talenten door de huidige geldigheidsduur van het zoekjaar, Nederland tegen die tijd al moeten verlaten.
Wittenborg Alumnus Leads Petition Group to Safeguard Graduates Prospects
Wittenborg Alumnus Leads Petition for Dutch Government to Extend "Zoekjaar" - WUAS writes to the Government Urging them to Take Action
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-alumnus-leads-petition-group-safeguard-graduates-prospects.htm
When Indian student, Varsha Punj, graduated from Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences in July 2019, life was good – she soon started at a large retail firm in Amsterdam and her prospects of getting a permanent position looked fine. That was, until the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Netherlands in March. She soon found herself unemployed, like hundreds of other freshly graduated internationals. Punj is now driving a campaign appealing to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to extend the 12-month orientation year (zoekjaar), afforded to international graduates, which allows them to look for a job.
Wittenborg writes to the Ministers of Justice, Education, Economic Affairs and the Prime Minister
Wittenborg has written to the government to request them to extend the so called orientation year for current graduates and those about to graduate. In the letter, Wittenborg's President Peter Birdsall highlights the importance of safeguarding the position of the knowledge migrants in the Netherlands, as these graduates will be hard needed once the pandemic has receded and the economy bounces back as hard as current experts are predicting. A copy of the letter can be found here.
IELTS Launches Online Test for Prospective International Students
Netherlands Weighs up Whether New Online IELTS Test Meets their Requirements
https://www.wittenborg.eu/ielts-launches-online-test-prospective-international-students.htm
For prospective international students who are unable to do an English proficiency test at an IELTS test centre due to COVID-19-related restrictions, IELTS has now launched IELTS Indicator, an online English language test. A press statement on the matter was released over the weekend.
The Netherlands is considering whether this will meet their own requirements for international students.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for the Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education has indicated it is looking into whether the IELTS Indicator would also be suitable for international students applying to the Netherlands. Most students do an IELTS or TOEFL at a test centre in their home country as part of the admission process to study abroad, but as many of these centres around the world closed, students found themselves stuck.
The secretary of the commission, Jolanda van den Bosch, said it is, nonetheless, encouraging to see that the test providers have set to work on an alternative to the existing tests in the short term. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences was one of the institutions that petitioned the commission to temporarily lift the requirement that international students prove they have sufficient command of English by submitting the results of a normal IELTS/TOEFL language test as part of their application to study in the Netherlands.