UT philosophy professor Julia Hermann interviewed by RTV Oost on the upcoming protest against austerity cuts to education funding

“Taking a billion euros a year away from Dutch universities is disastrous,” says Hermann. She is visibly worried about the future. The university lecturer in philosophy knows what impact the cuts could have on the university. In the worst-case scenario, five hundred jobs will be lost," she gloomily states. "The entire university would be forced to shrink. With fewer faculties and fewer courses as a result." Hermann points out the great uncertainty that this currently causes for employees: "A permanent contract offers little security if such a major reorganization threatens. The fear is that even permanent employees will lose their jobs."