Changing balances in Dutch higher education

Like many other higher education systems in the Western world, Dutch higher education underwent profound changes during the last decade. In this article we will present an overview of these changes, and try to formulate an analytical framework that might be suited to analyze this process. In order to set the stage, we will begin with an overview of the Dutch higher education system, in which the broad structure is described, and some trends are presented. Next, an overview is given of the retrenchment and restructuring operations with which Dutch higher education was confronted during the last decade. Drawing, mainly, on public administration and political theory, we then attempt to formulate a framework for analysis. In this we focus on the Dutch higher education system as a policy network, and address the relationships that exist between the various key actors in the network: between government and higher education, among higher education institutions themselves, and among the different actors within the institutions, especially administrators and academics. In doing so, we hope to demonstrate that at all these levels some identical basic processes operate which to a large extent determine the outcomes of governmental policies aimed at changing the higher education system. Time and again the modern state stumbles over the academic system (Clark 1983:137) Higher education in the Netherlands The Dutch higher education system: structure and trends Within the Dutch higher education system three types of institutions can be discerned: universities, institutes for higher vocational education (HBO), and the Open University. In the Netherlands, with around 15 million people, there are 13 universities, 86 HBO-institutions, all located throughout the country, and an Open University (distance education) in the south of the Netherlands, with 18 regional study centres dispersed throughout the country. As the Open University, because of its special nature, was not involved in the higher education policies which are considered in this article, no further attention shall be paid to it. All higher education institutions in the Netherlands are funded largely by government, the additional resources coming from teaching, research and services such as consultancy, performed for third parties. All institutions operate within the legal and funding framework set up by government. To further clarify the operation of the Dutch higher education system, some more detailed comments can be made regarding funding and student enrolment.